Exercises are generally neglected because while practicing one needs to come out of comfort zone and really push himself to do it, but one suffer the health issues as a consequence of avoiding it. While I was in hospital for some treatments I was told by the doctors to start exercising regularly to stay healthy and fit so that there will be less possibility of body to get diseased again. People who do regular exercises have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. I started exercising and now experiencing better results, it really helps.
We exercise to improve our heart health and we lift weights to build and tone our muscles. But what about our inner health? What do we do when we feel lonely, dejected, discontent, despondent, annoyed, depressed, tempted and frustrated? Research shows that for some degree physical exercise can heal mental sickness but not all. We come across the people who are physically fit but mentally ill (eg. anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviours).
Gita tells us that there was no warrior like Arjuna, he was perfectionist in terms of power and skills but still he felt crippled because of mind and refused to fight(6.34). One may be strong without but if he is weak within he can not use his strength effectively. As an to answer to Arjuna's query lord Krishna replied by saying, certainly mind is powerful and centre of all sensory activities but it can be controlled with suitable practices(abhyas) and detachment(vairagya) - spiritual exercise(6.35).
Spiritual exercises can help us in building inner muscles. It gives us strength to deal with temptations, provoking situations, bad habits and teaches us to be satisfied. Suitable practices involves engaging the mind in superior bliss which is available in practices of devotional service such as chanting and hearing, and detachment means keeping the mind away from inferior pleasures of material world. Sometimes one may need to really push and come of out of comfort zone to practice spirituality but it will help us to be fit and healthy within, making us immunised for all mental diseases. In conclusion healthy is one who not only keeps his body but also his mind sound and fit.
By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
We exercise to improve our heart health and we lift weights to build and tone our muscles. But what about our inner health? What do we do when we feel lonely, dejected, discontent, despondent, annoyed, depressed, tempted and frustrated? Research shows that for some degree physical exercise can heal mental sickness but not all. We come across the people who are physically fit but mentally ill (eg. anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviours).
Gita tells us that there was no warrior like Arjuna, he was perfectionist in terms of power and skills but still he felt crippled because of mind and refused to fight(6.34). One may be strong without but if he is weak within he can not use his strength effectively. As an to answer to Arjuna's query lord Krishna replied by saying, certainly mind is powerful and centre of all sensory activities but it can be controlled with suitable practices(abhyas) and detachment(vairagya) - spiritual exercise(6.35).
Spiritual exercises can help us in building inner muscles. It gives us strength to deal with temptations, provoking situations, bad habits and teaches us to be satisfied. Suitable practices involves engaging the mind in superior bliss which is available in practices of devotional service such as chanting and hearing, and detachment means keeping the mind away from inferior pleasures of material world. Sometimes one may need to really push and come of out of comfort zone to practice spirituality but it will help us to be fit and healthy within, making us immunised for all mental diseases. In conclusion healthy is one who not only keeps his body but also his mind sound and fit.
By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
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