AGING

GRACEFULLY
AND
VICTORIOUSLY


Dr.
Shriniwas Kashalikar

The purpose of anti-aging efforts is aging gracefully and victoriously; and not prevention of the aging altogether!

However, aging is usually associated with dwindling of efficiency of all the body systems and organs, debility, dependence, disease, despondence, despair, decreased income, and dejection; which are frightening! This to some extent; is because; all this scenario of aging; appears almost unavoidable and insurmountable; especially to a many of us; bordering the 40s, 50s and 60s, who have “failed” to accomplish their dreams and aspirations (in their own eyes).

The guides in print and electronic media on fitness, home remedies, diet, exercise, yogasanas, entertainment, hobbies and charitable activities are in plenty. The guidance in all these is valuable and helps many individuals.

Thus many individuals try to improve health, avoid disease, preserve independence, develop fitness, enhance performance, stamina, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, physical form, looks etc. and also engage in philanthropy. They practice NAMASMARAN, i.e. remembering the name of God, take regular bath, eat green leafy vegetables and sprouted beans and other nutritionally rich foods, drink cow milk with halad [turmeric] and sunth [dried ginger], do not grumble, practice pranayama and some exercises/yogasanas!

But having said this in appreciation; it has to be conceded; that there are not adequate efforts (which are required urgently); for a holistic perspective, policy and implementation; for individual and universal blossoming; a part of which is graceful and victorious aging!

What are the reasons for this?

It is obviously because the holistic perspective, policy making and its implementation have not become the convictions of a huge majority of us; the people in the world!

But why has this been the case? Why majority of us tend to think in a sectarian and fragmented manner, especially when they are not criminals, vicious or bad as such?

It is because the holistic perspective is not being studied, understood, assimilated, promoted and propagated adequately!

Why is this so?

This is because the holistic perspective is not recognized as the necessity for the basics needs of billions; even though apparently it is not essential for satisfaction of basal needs of life!

What is the reason for such unawareness about even the need of understanding and propagation of holistic perspective and such dearth of motivation amongst apparently intelligent, kind hearted and well meaning people?

Is this reason hidden in our ego, our passionate involvement in our subjective self identity, our strong and selective sentiments about our own bodily, emotional, intellectual and other considerations?

Does our ego prevent us from zealously sharing the objective wisdom?

Do we tend to remain self content or unhappy in our individual and subjective “achievements” or “failures” respectively?

Are we unable to see the benevolence of objective wisdom, because of undue apprehension and judgmental attitude; about the shortcomings or drawbacks of the person who propounds holistic perspective?

Are we are unable to rise above our relationship/s and prejudices?

Do we; more often than not; ridicule and oppose such efforts of sharing objective or holistic wisdom; actively or passively and overtly or covertly; and knowingly or unknowingly boost the sectarian and retrogressive forces? Do we infect others also; with our cynicism?

Strange it may appear; but is it not a fact that frequently our ego is associated with; not merely our material success in terms of popularity, power or prosperity; but our egalitarianism, righteousness and even our practice of NAMASMARAN and other things referred to above?

Is it because, we are unable to surmount the “clouds our ego” and enjoy the “sky of supreme bliss of universal unity”?

Is it because we are unable to realize that we do not “see” and even strive for the beauty beyond the ego?

Is it because we do not try to realize the universal and eternal value of holistic and objective wisdom born out of NAMASMARAN in providing us complete rejuvenation, revitalization, reorientation and realization of self; and its expression (for all ages and for all people); for individual and global blossoming; the part of which is aging gracefully and victoriously?