Western society is obsessed with staying young and often people will fight hard to keep their looks and capabilities. In the worldview of the East, with its strong Buddhist, Taoist and Vedic traditions, however, longevity is viewed as a meaningful goal in the life of the spirit. Below are ways to promote this kind of longevity and the peace and calm which accompanies it.
1. Nurture Energy
At the heart of the Eastern system of beliefs is the concept of life force. Called prana in the Vedic tradition or qi or chi in Chinese, this life-promoting energy is necessary for all aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual health. Tap into this energy by breathing techniques and practices like yoga or tai chi that focus on the generation and proper flow of the life-force to help nuture and foster the body, mind and soul.
2. Seek Peace
The Bhagavad Gita, sacred Hindu scriptures, reads, “Abiding joy comes to those who still the mind.” The modern world is hectic and fast-paced, so achieving a quiet mind can seem almost impossible at times, but it is truly the gateway to achieving peace. The means to this achievement can come in many forms, but many people find that chanting, yoga or tai chi, slow walking or just being still can all aid in this. Eventually the peace that is found in practice will carry over into everyday life, so that all that is done becomes a form of meditation.
3. Develop Awareness
An important aspect of longevity practice is to cultivate conciousness and make contact with the divine. A necessary step on this spiritual journey is the development of self-awareness. To achieve this, it is also helpful to turn to modalities like tai chi, chanting, or still, silent meditation. Listening to the senses through a simple body-awareness practices will allow for the development of this this deep consciousness of the physical, emotional and spiritual self.
4. Find Harmony
The Eastern worldview is holistic, taking into account the mind, body, soul, environment and universe and seeing them as parts of a whole that require balancing and that are intregal to one another. Maintaining this balance and achieving harmony between these separate parts is crucial for a long life. In Taoism, for instance, balance happens between the soft, yielding energy of the yin and the hard and active energy of the yang. This balance will help to achieve the ultimate harmony between the different aspects of the self.
5. Create Stability
Strength and fortitude are important qualities to nurture in a world that feels increasingly chaotic. This stability is at the heart of rejuvenation, another important aspect of longevity. Many yoga poses help to develop this stability, and the series of poses known as Greeting the Sun is particularly good for this development.
The above are five keys to achieving spiritual longevity. Taken together, they have the potential to help the seeker towards a peaceful, balanced existence based on deep awareness and a continued and meaningful contact with the divine.
