The “Boss” is back in town and I had the opportunity to go to the Springsteen concert this week. As I watched the show I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by this 58-year-old man. Bruce had more energy, focus and drive then anyone I’ve seen in a really long time.
It made me start to think… “Why are some people ageless and others old before their time?”
According to yoga philosophy your life is denoted not by the number of days spent on earth but by the intensity of our experience. (Bruce looked very intense that night). Our experiences are heightened by awareness and our yoga practice enhances our awareness. So it seems as yogis and yoginis we might be on the right track to aging gracefully.
Aging experts seem to agree that as we age it is important to open our minds and shift our attention to the more esoteric qualities of our being….love, kindness, compassion etc. Qualities that expand our personal awareness help us to see how our lives are interwoven with all other beings in the universe. Aging is really a transformation or a reconstruction from one form to another and then, ultimately to another. Atoms whether in solid (physical) form or free flowing energy continue on and on.
As we age our physical body will begin to change, that is inevitable. But ask yourself… “Was there ever a time in your life when you were 100% content with your outward appearance?”. Personally, I am not overly excited about the new lines around my eyes. But…when I was teenager I had issues with my skin. Today, it’s my knees that cause me stress when I’m at the beach. When I was 20 it was my thighs. I need more rest now, but when I was younger I was lazy. Your physical body is just that a physical connect to earth. It is your mind that will set you free.
Practicing yoga on a regular basis is a great way to offset the aging process. Aside from the obvious physical results such as a longer, leaner, stronger body and quiet, restful mind: yoga has the ability to heighten our level of consciousness, allowing us to see the bigger picture and our part in it.
“The deconstruction of our bodies is only a transition in our progression of Self-awareness. Noticing that our body’s age is an incentive--a wake up call to explore and learn about the agelessness of our being. As the moth nestled in a cocoon seemingly slumbers unconsciously it is in reality changing form before breaking out into a format allowing greater freedom. So we, too, can grow through kindliness within the sheltered cocoon of our aging bodies and in one moment break free.Forever-expanded in consciousness. Forever-aware of our agelessness...”
Susan Kramer 1997
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Moola Mantra - Incantation
Witness
It's My Life
The End Of The Innocence
Metaphor
Open Your Mind
Closer to Fine
Time
Growin' Up
Forever Young
Indra
In Our Old Age
Taranana
Return to Innocence
Colour My World
Temple of Awareness
Father and Son
| Deva Premal
Sarah McLachlan
Bon Jovi
Don Henley
Delerium
Melissa Etheridge
Indigo Girls
Hootie & The Blowfish
Bruce Springsteen
Rod Stewart
Thievery Corporation
Kenny Rogers
Bhakti
Enigma
Chicago
Universal Energy
Cat Stevens
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