“…Men do not sufficiently realize
that their future is in their own hands.
Theirs is the task of determining first of all whether they want to go on living or not.
Theirs is the responsibility, then, for deciding if they want merely to live,
or intend to make just the extra effort required
for fulfilling, even on this refractory planet,
the essential function of the universe,
which is a machine for the making of gods.”
― Henri Louis Bergson
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”
― Henri Louis Bergson
Dr. Hinohara quoted from Bergson, concluding that YOU are the designer of your own life. Then he recited his own poem which summarized his message for us to live a more radiant life:
Change the Way You Live
Animals cannot change the way they run.
Birds cannot change the way they fly.
BUT human beings can change the way they live.
We, as human beings, can design our own destiny ourselves.
YES! *******************************************************************************
One of the startling data shared was that in US. 70% of population are obese; whereas in Japan, 25% are considered obese based on Body/Mass/Fat index measures.
According to Dr. Hinohara, the following disciplines determine our health and well-being. Seemingly common sense but coming from a 102 year old doctor in practice for nearly 80 years, it makes you realize this: We know what’s good for us by intellect, but we don’t necessarily do what’s good for us because something prevents us – what prevents us from doing what we know is good for us?
- How and what we eat (more on this* on later posts)
- How we breathe. (that’s pranyama)
- How and how much we move. (asana & dance)
- Quality of rest & quality of sleep. (Restorative & Yoga Nidra)
- Noting that rest is not necessarily the same as sleep. (more Restorative & Nature) – more on this coming!
His tips were interesting… and rather convincing especially coming from someone like him. I think I will hit the studio now:)
* “For example, breast cancer patients who keep their insulin levels under control – a factor most often associated with diet and lifestyle – cut their risk of cancer recurrence in HALF and decrease cancer mortality by two-thirds.” per Rebecca Katz, MS.
