Life Can Be Wonderful, If...

Dear Reader,

In recent decades we have heard a good deal about the mantra "you are what you eat". And I would think that a majority of people in the west now take at least some note of that and actually apply the doctrine in everyday life. However, we all like to have a periodic 'day off' from what many see as being a boring path to a healthy lifestyle.

The tragedy is that western eating and sedentary habits have been replicated in eastern countries too over the last few decades and yet it was they that had a better wisdom towards diet! They also are now having to think again.

And in this video of a delightful dialogue between an eminent cardiac surgeon and Sadhguru my feeling is that the argument for a healthy lifestyle (exercise as well as diet) comes over well. And one particular matter took my interest in that Sadhguru referred to the dangers of looking forward to a retired life, arguing that without the challenge of something like a working life, people can stagnate. This point is contentious, though, as many people are employed in unstimulating work and therefore want something else more enjoyable in their later years, but if retirement has to be then let us be prepared to find something in retirement that is a challenge, perhaps in some form of voluntary work, or taking an active interest in local history, or in some other form of activity.

The overwhelming underlying issue, though, is that our bodies are provided to us for careful maintenance and surely we have a duty to keep our body machine in reasonable order. If we were to accept that doctrine then we should see ourselves in a different light, particularly as the sages tell us that if we take care of ourselves then greater possibilities open up for us. We can actually gain by behaving sensibly; it's not just a chore, it can be a delight so long as we have the right (positive) mental attitude.

And - importantly - money has little or nothing to do with our attitude and decision on the matter. It's how we perceive life that is the crux, combined with a sense of duty in not being an unnecessary burden on society. For example, if we take proper care of ourselves then the need for expensive healthcare can be eradicated. In the UK, to avoid that would be a great help to our wonderful health service.

And may I humbly add that reducing one's meat consumption would provide all kinds of benefits, to us individually and also to the world's sustainability. Further, the welfare of animals would be seen to be of greater importance than it now is. Tragically, they are predominantly seen to be there just to sustain our physical needs and are mechanically dealt with. They - as with all forms of creatures - form part of a whole, a unity. Without a healthy unity, we are headed for problems, particularly for our children.

Thank you for reading this.