In an encounter with a large group of college level students, I discovered a sense of rationality and hope for the future amid the desperation gripping our society. I was discussing with them a simple question– how to enjoy life. As youngsters, they agreed that they enjoy food, drink, going to movies, chatting over Facebook and devoting a major part of their time on computer and internet. [break]
They were all for having fun with their boyfriends and girlfriends, with or without the knowledge and consent of their families. Is that all they wish? To continue having fun and pleasure in their life? Some said ‘yes, why not’ whereas others said ‘perhaps, not’. But they were not clear what they wanted beyond what they are getting.
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To clear their confusion, I quoted a Sanskrit stanza by Chanakya in which he explained that food, sleep, sense of fear and sex are common to both man and animal. It is only knowledge that is special to man. Without education, man is as good as animal. When I made them compare the means and nature of their enjoyment with those of the animal world, they were rather taken aback.
They realized that they were engaged in more or less animal pleasures. They were then able to see the importance of being students, which opens up a new world of knowledge. As students, they are faced with the dilemma of choosing between instant pleasure—a call of their young age—and long-term happiness that hinges on the best use of their time at college. Yet another Chanakya dictum illustrates this clearly: Pleasure-seeker deprives himself of knowledge, and one who is a knowledge-seeker renounces pleasure. When a vote was taken, there was unanimous verdict in favor of long-term happiness over short-term pleasure.
The question of how one can enjoy life on a long-term basis still remained. The choices are too many—lots of money, great name and fame, world tours, and bedazzling lifestyle of the developed world. Despite their attraction to these activities and the joy they derived from them, the youngsters were not sure if these activities could make them happy in the long run.
I, then, dragged them from the world of imagination to the reality of the three basic ingredients of life and happiness. To enjoy life, what we need at the minimum is good health, besides peaceful mind and spiritual awareness. In other words, one has to take care of one’s body along with mind and spirit in order to be able to enjoy life, from childhood to old age.
That, of course, led to a discussion of the prevalence of illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, respiratory problems, and myriad other diseases afflicting not only grown-ups but also youngsters. It was quite revealing that most of the students had somebody in their family or neighborhood who was suffering from one of these common ailments.
We discussed if they were suffering out of ignorance or negligence. It was true that they contracted the disease in ignorance, but was it really inevitable? They agreed it was not, that it was avoidable. The fact that the patients did nothing to avoid it is also responsible in part for their suffering.
At a time when there is so much knowledge and information available on food, drink, exercise, etc. that helps one maintain a good health, can one, especially if one is educated, be excused for neglecting health and concomitant suffering? A consensus emerged among the discussants that those who are suffering from bad health are themselves responsible for it.
At this crucial point, I shared the idea that the ancient heritage of yoga and its regular practice is by far the best way of maintaining health and avoiding numerous ailments that have now become as familiar to us as dal, bhat, tarkari. Man does not contract ill health unless he is totally negligent or indifferent towards it. However, there are as many threats to good health today as there are means to counter them.
Toxins are all over food, whether it is meat or vegetable, as well as in drink, whether it is regular water, treated water, cold drink, hot drink or alcoholic drink. The air is polluted even more heavily, damaging our lungs, throats, eyes, and upsetting our respiratory system. Personal, familial, and social tensions are increasing, with adverse impacts on our body and mind.
Political instability resulting in the disturbance to public life and activities also affects public health. On top of it, the municipal authorities’ failure to take care of garbage disposal has worsened public health. Dirt on the streets is a serious health hazard that could easily be averted through honest and efficient management. In other words, we are suffering from diseases which are preventable through better management of public services and administration.
It is towards this that the young mind needs to be drawn, besides being made aware of the importance of good heath, so as to instill determination in them to fight the threats to their health.
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