Become a Useful Instrument

 

Photo Credit: Quotefancy||Sri Chinmoy

Become a Useful Instrument

For us to become useful instruments for whatever purpose we need to be healthy. Our health defines the way our body can be used for whatever purpose we choose for it. If we want to be sports-persons we need to train our body and also maintain a diet which makes our body fit for whatever sport we are training for.

Our body is a very complex machine and like any machine it needs to be maintained. All of us always try to look good, beautiful, handsome – these are all external appearances. To do this a lot of facilities are available – apart from the gym, we have beauty salons where all kinds of treatments are given to make us look good.

While looking good is important, feeling good is far more important. One can feel good only if we are at peace within ourselves. This inner peace comes through meditation under the guidance of a realised Master. Yoga and meditation are the tools that take us towards inner peace while keeping the body and mind healthy.

Exercise not only makes one live longer, but it also makes one live better. It may boost our mental and emotional functioning, as well as our productivity and interpersonal connections, in addition to strengthening our heart and muscles and warding against a variety of ailments.

The benefits of physical activity are many, but perhaps most important is that it's good for our mind. Physical exercise has been shown to increase cognitive function and prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It also promotes mood stability, which helps control anxiety and depression.

In addition, being active can help one lose weight if you want to. Exercise is one of the best ways to control one’s appetite and reduce one’s craving for sweets. Regular activity also increases levels of serotonin, which makes one feel happier.

Finally, exercise complimented with yoga and meditation is necessary for healthy living. We should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week or its equivalent in other activities. In addition, muscle-strengthening activities such as lifting weights provide benefits that last after the workout is over. These activities promote bone strength and balance, which are essential for preventing injury and old age disability.

The essence of Yoga and all the faiths and traditions is to be easeful in body, peaceful in mind and useful in life. The aim of Yoga is to make the body healthy and the mind tranquil and pure. With a pure mind and a healthy body, ne become a useful instrument for God.