The longer I live the more life feels like a river - one that flows through varied terrain, adapting to it, frothing and calm, to finally empty out in the infinite ocean.
Every life has two realities - an outer and inner one. Our outer reality consists of our physical body, relationships with people, nature and circumstance, that are all visible through our senses and we react and manage them the best we can through life. The other reality is our inner one, invisible to others, that motivates us with new thoughts and ideas that form our lived experience and forms the spirit of an individual being - human or animal. That spirit is like an unseen yet powerful seed that bears fruit. The seed which cannot be seen, but the fruit of which is quite different from tree to tree. Though our physical and mental abilities may have much to do with our genetics and inherited traits, the self selected nature of our spirit is ultimately what shapes our inner life and our experience, which often overcome the limitations of our inherited traits.Just as our outer physical health depends greatly on our food habits, the environment, and activities, our inner health depends on the thoughts we create and consume, the environment we keep within ourself and the projections we make of life. Just as green vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals are the diet of a healthy outer body, empathy, compassion, calmness, and sincere inquiry are the diet of a healthy inner body. These mental orientations are the protein, vitamins and minerals that define the shape of our soul. Just as we take in fluids to keep the body well hydrated, we must also have the daily practice of achieving a state of flow, where the mind isn't encumbered with problems and solutions but just is. That is the hydration of the spirit so it doesn't dry up. To spend time in nature is good for both outer and inner body. To feel the soil under our feet and immerse in water are all activities with dual purpose benefits. When we walk barefoot, we practice something we've done as a species for fifty thousand years while staring at computers and televisions is what we've done for fifty. The memory of the body continues - from our ancestors to our great grand children and beyond. Positive socialisation, mental challenges through brain games in old age are also activities that can achieve a state of flow, where we forget ourselves and immerse in an activity that dissolves us temporarily. The dissolution of the self is not just to be reserved for the final moment, it is to be practiced everyday.
In today’s world, challenges are many. People are forced to stay in the middle of concrete jungles. Noise pollution, junk food and addiction to mobile phones and negative socialisation on social media has significantly damaged our life . Negative emotions like anxiety, irritations, anger, and greed are commonly seen at every age.This can be controlled by the practice of deep breathing, meditation and experiences in nature that help cleanse the mind and overcome being stuck in negative states. For the mind to be calm, focused and cheerful is a natural state, if only not messed up by the negative interventions of modern living. It is better to start early in life, so that later life can be handled better without when physical ailments are bound to arrive. At any age, life can be changed for the better only by will power. It is truly said that, the magic method of working without fatigue lies in the use of will power. With will power, we learn to use time effectively, can pursue creative hobbies like writing, painting, learning a new skill, or rendering selfless service to others. An attitude of gratitude must be practiced all through life. We must be grateful for what we have, like we can talk, walk, breathe, which many cannot do. Golden words of Paramhansa Yogananda are truly inspiring for all. He said, “The soul must rule the body, because the soul is neither caused by nor dependent on the body .”( Divine Romance)
