'King Lear', Shakespeare's most tragic play full of all possible human sufferings, ends with 'ripeness is all'. The title of our blog today is a take on this quote. On this World Health Day, our blog believes, moreover, that a ripe, that is, a mature, look at health is all.
What is health? Is it a gym-trained/toned bod? Yes and no. Well, such a body most often is all muscle n no mind, protein packed, and more a show-off.
Better hence might be alternative therapies for health such as yoga. Yoga, for instance, believes in a balance of body and mind. By no means are yoga asanas mere physical exercises. Supplemented they are by a particular food and supported they are by pranayama, the breath control, though not merely the fab, trendy way which the market, especially overseas, has popularised it.
Health is in a way closely associated with the soul. Such inner fulfilment depends on better relationships, especially with the self, overlooked most often in our era of selfies and group-fies and in the obsession with the MNC driven life style full of monies and stress to be avoided through good company and better life style.
I am not sure though that the soul is thus satisfied. It needs a close connect with nature, with creativity, with some larger purpose, with one's duties to self and to others, especially the immediate family, often taken for granted, and for a ride.
In other words, health is not merely eating an apple a day so as to keep away the medical fraternity, often now sold to corporate packages, heavy duty latest gadgets, et al. Missing is the friendly touch of the family doctor whose very presence half healed the patient.
What is health then? Often the best answer would be the Vaidic negation which asserts, "naiti, naiti, naiti," "n iti!", not this, in brief. Is health wellness, though that, too, is a marketing funda! Health is not mere humour, not mere 'happiness'. Is it stress management, despite and especially during the AI-driven days! Anxieties, worries, stress, potions n tablets! What indeed is health? Faith? Of what sort? Oh, yes, better avoid this 'baba', that 'buwa' and some sect! Soiled superstitions sullying souls!
i suppose, health is getting to know better one's self, body, mind, soul, togetherness-es, responsibilities to self and others. I think, health is realising that given the end of it all, that is, death, which could be so near n not very far, living the limited breaths allotted to us most creatively, joyously, and in fullness. What say?
Pratima@Health in fact is the only wealth. So Seneca asserted ages ago.
Quote of the day: "Your body hears everything your mind says,” explains Naomi Judd.
Word of the day: health According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease, focusing on active, functional living. Maintaining good health involves a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, and strong social connections. It is a vital resource for everyday life, promoting longevity and the ability to manage stress.
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