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Namah The Rhythm of Life or the Art of Ageing

coded genetically or by some unknown a tangible sign of limitations will show up.
mechanism. The cells are storehouses, not While still we can and should try to push
only of physiological and chemical changes, these limits, this pushing should yet be a
but also psychological experiences, as has gentle rather than an abrupt pressure, more
been documented in recipients of organ like a vehicle slowly coming to a halt rather
transplant. While the coding mechanisms than an abrupt stop. To begin with, we can
and the material substrate of cellular assume that old age in today’s context starts
memory is not exactly known yet these at 75 rather than 60. Sixty is when life comes
cells can possibly be trained or detrained to fruition. 80 is when the seeds are being
by strong suggestions, or other means of gathered for another life.
pushing states of consciousness in the cell
Whatever be the causes of ageing and death, But for now, we have to reckon with the fact
man has always nurtured within himself that our bodies do age and grow weaker in
the quest for immortality. The quest is a capacities with advancing number of years.
spillover in the heart and mind of a secret The genetic material does undergo wear
immortal substance man carries within. and tear, the senses too narrow down in
Yogis and mystics know it as the soul, the their range, the organs begin to diminish in
indestructible element in us which is a function and the overall ability does show a
portion of the Divine and is also our true general decline. There is the added load of
self. It is doubtful whether the ancient disease, loneliness, lack of work, leading to
project of Immortality can be completed isolation and boredom. Apart from these,
without taking into account the active there are several other challenges that the
participation of the true soul within us. elderly are prone to face such as loss of
But driven by an intuitive sense, man is old friends, economic loss, depression, in
bound to try it in various ways and through addition to bodily weakness, such as tremors,
various methods and processes. But the loss of balance and unsteadiness of feet.
first step in that direction is a mastery over
the ageing process. This too, man has been How does or should a person slowly slipping
attempting for a long time. From physical towards the winter of life handle the decline?
methods such as kaayaakalpa cikitsaa to occult
methods, as we see in the story of Yayaati Acceptance
to spiritual methods such as is hinted in
the story of Bhīssma. That man will one day The first step is always the most difficult. It
discover the secret of ageing and the means is difficult for many to accept that the sun is

of retarding or even reversing it is certain. setting. They keep remembering the morning
There is nothing that man aspires for which sun and the glories of noon and hence fail to
has not already been granted by the secret enjoy the sunset eve. Sri Aurobindo describes
Providence. The secret probably lies in the something of this mood in one of his poems,
meeting of Science and Spirituality. What Evening
we still can do is push back our definition
of old, rather delink it with age. Each body “A golden evening, when the thoughtful sun
has its own rate of decline, its own age when Rejects its usual pomp in going, trees

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