The Importance of Integral Health
It is important to be healthy so that we can live life to the fullest and fulfil our aspirations. A healthy body enables us to work hard, a healthy mind guides us in the right direction and healthy emotions give us the enthusiasm to keep going, and also appreciate life. This is one of the most common and practical understandings of the need for Integral Health.
Integral Health is essential for our spiritual progress too. Each of us have a sense of purpose and something unique that gives us meaning in life. Focusing on and working towards this requires a harmonious state of being, on which Integral Health is conceived. If the body is sick, most of one’s energy goes towards maintaining the body and addressing the sickness, and there is little to no energy left for spiritual progress. If the mind is not seasoned, if we are slaves of addictions, if we let our emotions sweep us off, we may end up straying far away from our deeper journey, which lies deep within us, waiting to be discovered.
We must also consider the role of Integral Health in our collective progress. Human beings are a product of evolution in Nature.. Much as we like to think that we are at the top of the food chain, nature is still evolving and man is slowly but surely progressing to become a more refined being. To allow ourselves to progress, we must be receptive to the forces that drive such progress. These are much stronger than the powers of the mind. Our receptivity to higher forces depends on the openness and strength of the vessel that we hold, which is our body. Only if it is strong yet supple, we can be receptive to the higher forces and evolve.
To be truly healthy, disease-free, happy and energetic, we must embrace an approach that is integral. Our hearts can open, our senses can get refined and we can have the joy of living in all that we do every single day, and our mind can function clearly. Embracing an integrally healthy lifestyle is not only beneficial for an individual, but also for the welfare of the society and ecosystem. Both can be made more sustainable, and can help one one another to grow, instead of blindly using resources for the selfish interests of an individual or a corporation.
Practice of the Week: Increasing Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight is a natural remedy that can uplift your spirits, increase your energy and heal your body. Sunlight is a basic necessity for our survival and well-being.
Spend some time in the morning and in the evening (or at least one of the two) outdoors where you are exposed to sunlight. Keep the curtains and windows of your home open to allow sunlight to enter. Instead of going to a gym, consider exercising outdoors or on your balcony. Do not go out in the scorching sun or in the middle of the afternoon. Sunlight is not only a natural energiser but also a basic necessity for our survival and well-being.
Sun-bathing has been prescribed as a treatment to various illnesses from psychiatric to orthopedic. It must be done two hours after sunrise and/or two hours before sunset.
Here is a video on sun-charging your body:
Here is a short video by Dr. Alok Pandey on “Purpose of Integral Health?”