| The concept of total health is as complex as the origin and expansion of life. In case of human beings, it encompasses the physical (bodily), mental and spiritual health in total harmony with the Nature. It would require an absolute system of medicine - as perhaps was devised by the Indian sages and scientists (rishis) of yore - to achieve maintenance of total health. The drastic variations in the environment and living conditions and the gigantic proportions of the toxic effects of pollution, filth, infections, malnutrition, addictions and tensions prevailing in the world today however, make us wonder whether even the ancient system of medicine would have been feasible and effective these days?
An intensive look at the status of physiological and mental health of the people in the present times gives an impression that larger proportion of the world population is living in unhealthy, diseased and disorderly conditions these days. The alarming rate of increase in the varieties and extents of diseases and psychosomatic disorders, seem to have left the achievements of biomedical sciences and technology far behind in this fast moving age of ’advancement’.
Today, the sufferings associated with the dreaded diseases like cancer and AIDS and the increasing problems of cardiac disorders, diabetes, asthma, arthritis etc, and further, the challenges posed by psychosomatic disorders ranging - from impotency to hysteria; from depression to virtual insanity, etc, have put a question mark on the vigorous survival of the future generations of the human society. The need for a comprehensive system of medicine is therefore badly felt since past few decades. This has also opened up new directions of research in alternate and ancient systems of medicine.
The present volume would prove to be a concise encyclopedia for references and guidance on above kind of research. The eloquence of Acharya Sharma’s writing, his trenchant knowledge of every aspect of total health and perspicuous discussions with illustrative examples have also made this volume equally useful for the masses.
Acharya Sharma has suggested twenty-four point formulae of preventive medicine which would help natural upkeep of good health of the body and mind and which are essential for any endeavor of spiritual refinement. First eight of these twenty-four tips correspond to quality of food and eating habits and next ten focus at mode of living, general routine and other habits. The volume no. 39 of this series discusses these points at length with intensive guidance of special relevance in present times. Six of these major guidelines pertain to the disciplines and principles of mental health. These are highlighted here and dealt with, in different contexts of total health, in the next two volumes too.
Acharya Sharma’s thorough study, acumen, experience and successful experiments with the above mentioned twenty-four points had led him conclude that adoption of the associated disciplines and practices and reorientation of life-style in the natural mode implied by them ensures healthy, vigorous and happy life indeed.
The blind race for technological advancement and artificial mode of living in the name of modern civilization has put human life under the vicious mesh where almost everyone is constantly loosing his natural vigor and vital power because of excessive mental stress, and direct or indirect dependence on machinery and luxurious comforts. Although lot of care is being taken for the fitness of the body by the health and beauty conscious people, it is not known to many that the fashionable modes of physical fitness exert excessive pressure on internal organs and consume lot of body-energy.
The extreme stages of comforts and over-exercise customized in the daily routine of the above kinds of ’modernized’ people are not in perfect consonance with the natural system of the body and mind and usually risk hormonal imbalance, heart attacks, stress born hypertension, spinal problems, etc. The original practices of yoga-asanas and meditation on the contrary, offer a balanced remedy and preventive cure if performed with proper disciplines and guidance on what is suitable for whom. Separate chapters of the present volume are devoted to the yoga practices for health. Details like - which asana is suitable for which age-group, under what general conditions of the body and mind, etc, are given here with illustrative diagrams... |
