Ayurveda for anti-aging
Age is just a number, if we understand the concept Ayurvedically. Bharat Savur, co-author of the book ‘Fitness for Life’ explains:
‘Ageing is an unnatural process, declares Ayurveda.’
‘The evidence is compelling: protons, neutrons, electrons, our DNA, electricity — all the things that constitute and run our body — do not age. Therefore, the body cannot age.’
Makes sense alright, but then we do age, and the symptoms are very real…
‘Explains Ayurveda, all these symptoms are due to pragya aparadh — erroneous thinking.’
‘As the Buddha warned, ‘The mind is everything; what you think, you become.’ Sad, fearful, angry thoughts sink into the smriti (memory) of the cell and damage its natural, healing intelligence and skills. Peaceful, cheerful, contented thoughts preserve and stimulate the cells’ memory of wholeness and enable it to take timely corrective measures.’
Corrective measures, please?
‘Put this positive principle into practice on a day-to-day level immediately. Just working hard does not purify, working with wholehearted joyous willingness purifies. That’s what the ancient karma yogis, revered centurions who’d stumbled on this secret of longevity, meant when they said, ‘Whatever you do, do with a sense of freedom.’ Work not for gain, but to gainfully utilize the ability gifted to you. (Conversely, the vortexes of egoistic desires, ambition, greed, jealousy create an unwilling, half-hearted, grudging attitude that binds our mind and drains all joy and energy from our spirit.)’
‘The thought-current of cheerful willingness makes a marvellous beginning… it’s the first decisive step towards agelessness. Cheer and readiness materialize qualitatively in your cells as elasticity, strength, vitality, alertness.’
The second step is to exercise.
The third area of attention is food.
The fourth, meditation or silence, for those of us who view meditation as a secretive method taught only by guru to disciple.
The fifth aid to age reversal is chanting. ‘Chanting breaks through mental dullness. Deep diaphragmatic breathing relaxes muscular constrictions and when the breath begins to flow freely, it’s a sign of muscular fluidity regained.’
