Shantarama Shetty
Yoga Insitute,
Mumbai, India
drshantaram@indiatimes.com

Click Play button to Play Audio
(Please wait as the audio loads)

Abstract

We are what we think about our selves and we shall be what we decide to be.
Swatyam, brihad reetam ugram,……..vishwam dharayaanthi— Truth and ethics of highest order aplied sternly into our lives only could make this world go on forever .-Rig Veda.
In 1923 the late professor E.H.Starling of university college of London has mentioned that t it is only by understanding the wisdom of the body one can attain the mastery over the diseases.
In one of the study 225 male physicians with personality A were followed for twenty-five years and found that cynicism – leading to hostility and anger were five to six times more prone for cardiac problems.
In a similar study psychologist Salvator Maddi and Suzanne Kobasa(1984) followed 700 executives and found that even in personality A, people with positive attitudes like self control, and with commitment to sense of duty were least effected. Study by Karen A Mathew from university of pittsburg showed the hostility increased the arteriosclerosis by two fold.
In a study of university of north Carolina at chapel hill which was published in science times proves that people prone to anger are 21/2 times more liable to get MI or Sudden death in comparison to the calmer counter parts. A similar study by Janice E William- published in the journal circulation showed the similar results.
Time and again different studies showed thatpeople with hopelessness and depression are, four to five times more prone for heart disease and similarly post MI patients it is responsible for another heart attack or sudden death.
In one of the land mark trial ENRICHED( Enhancing recovery in coronary heart disease)
The behavioral modification intervention showed the significant positive results. Also in another recurrent coronary prevention project the behavioral modification brought about 44% of reduction in second heart attack.
30 year Mayao clinc study showed that people with positive attitude live 19% more than pessimists The bereaved people and people who feel lonely were 40 % more prone to heart problems.
A nation-wide study of 21000 people from 1987 to 1995 in USA showed a seven year difference in life expectancy between those who never attended religious services and those who attended more than once a week. Similarly 1998 study by duke university medical centre showed that those who attended church weekly were les likely to be hospitalized than the less frequent visitors. In a Duke University study(1999)
People who attend worship place had less depression and were less prone for hypertension. People who prayed regularly were70% less likely to have coronary artery disease(Study conducted in our country-1997)
Concepts.
Dharma-Duty (towards one self is highest),
Faith,
Objectivity,
Balance state of mind
objectives
To follow certain restrainments and observations as per eight fold path of yoga ( Yama’s and Niyama’s).
To bring about the overall change in the value system in the right direction.
To achieve balance state of mind with the help of yoga techniques and yoga philosophy.
The attitudinal training on continuous basis.
Gradual transform the knowledge-to- understanding-to- attitudes- to-habits –to- behavior-to- lifestyle.
How it can be implemented:
Reading scriptures, attending satsangs,
Observing certain rituals like fast, pooja, sandyavandan, recitation etc.
Visiting holy places, meetng like minded people,
Taking part in debate , thought sharing on useful topics .
Writing down the experiences,preparing the articles , teaching to juniors, enacting the themes, preparing for public speaking and delivering the public speech, helping in camps and projects, etc.