# Basic Relaxation and Ego-Strengthening Program By Nathaniel Branden **URL:** **By** Roy A. Childs, Jr. **Published:** January 1, 1974 --- “Branden pointed out that to achieve the best results, the cassette should be played at least once a day, preferably twice, for a month and then when and as desired to reinforce the tape's effects.” A few weeks ago, Nathaniel Branden told me about a new cassette program he had developed. He had wanted to develop a cassette, he ex-plained, that would have a number of beneficial effects on the listener: it would produce feelings of deep relaxation; it would teach the listener how to produce relaxation in himself; it would teach him how to keep calm and composed under conditions of pressure and stress; it would promote feelings of physical well being. If played in the morning, it would have an ener-gizing effect; if played at night it would insure a deeply relaxing sleep. In addition, the cassette would strengthen feelings of self-confidence and self-acceptance. After a long period of experimentation he had the cassette produced, and the results, he said, had been extraordinarily gratifying. An overwhelming number of users found that the cassette worked for them. It enjoys a high rate of success with insomnia cases. Actors, actresses and athletes have reported that as a consequence of playing it before job interviews and competitive, high-stress situations, it keeps them much calmer and aids them in turning in a high level of performance. Further, a number of people have reported the disappear-ance of psychosomatic symptoms (such as headaches and pre-menstrual tension) after working with the cassette. Two physicians are currently experimenting with the cassette to see if it can bring down high blood pressure. Branden pointed out that to achieve the best results, the cassette should be played at least once a day, preferably twice, for a month and then when and as desired to reinforce the tape's effects. He made me a present of the tape and suggested that I try it. The results were better than I had anticipated. It is not easy to explain how and why the cassette works the way it does—subtle and sophisticated psychological processes are involved—but, at least for me, its beneficient consequences were unmistakable. Some of the principles on which the cassette works are familiar to me from my reading of Branden's and other books in the field of psychology. But I had never come even remotely close to achieving the results that this cassette produced for me. Essen-tially, the results were as Branden had described them. I found myself able to remain much more relaxed under pressure and to face deadlines and exams with a much more calm and confident atti-tude than before. Furthermore, the cassette program seemed to act like a magnifying lens on my powers of concentration. In short, I found the cassette so valuable and felt so enthusiastic about it, that I made arrangements to carry it through _Books for Libertarians_—even though it is not the type of product BFL normally handles. I think that many BFL readers will be interested in working with this program themselves to discover the ways in which it can be helpful to them. The cassette is not a lecture but a psychological experience. It should be listened to when one is alone, lying down or sitting comfortably with eyes closed. One should follow Branden's words without straining or forc-ing. If listened to in this way, if one really gives oneself to the experience, the results are very exciting, especially after a number of repetitions. Very highly recommended. _Reviewed by R.a. Childs, Jr. / Cassette Recording (30 Minutes—Duplicated On Each Side) / BFL Price $10_