Age is a relative concept: there are numbers in the passport (and nothing can be done about them), but there is our well-being – what is called biodynamic and energy age in the tradition of Taoism. And we can influence it. How exactly?
We have all seen people who look older or younger than their age: at 50 years old without a single gray hair, or, conversely, with deep wrinkles at the dawn of their thirties. And this, as we understand it, does not depend on the numbers in the passport. What is the phenomenon?
Energy age
In the Taoist tradition, there is an idea of energy age – that is, the correspondence between the number of years lived and the energy content of the body. We are all born with different levels of Qi energy and spend and replenish it in the same way. Therefore, in the conditional 40 years, someone runs marathons, and someone spends a vacation in a sanatorium in order to somehow restore health undermined by work.
And the traditional accusations of the advocates of a healthy lifestyle do not work here: according to Taoism, already at the start of life, we receive a different charge of energy. But the further order of Qi is in our hands.
What is considered rational energy management in the Taoist tradition?
1. Reducing energy costs – that is, it is necessary not to waste strength in vain, not to let it flow into emotional “holes”. The biggest energy consumption of a modern person (unless he works in a mine or in production, where you have to do monotonous physical work) is emotions. And therefore, first of all, it is required to “plug” this particular “hole”: to balance the mind, get rid of anxiety, regain peace of mind.
Of course, for this you need to make an effort: in the Taoist tradition, meditation practices lead to such a harmonious state. It is believed that it is necessary to meditate daily for 15-30 minutes a day. You can do less, the main thing is regularly.
2. Energy storage – for this, special breathing practices have been developed that deliver more oxygen and Qi to the body, thus replenishing our resource. For example, there are female Taoist practices, thanks to which a woman becomes stronger and retains youth longer. For people of both sexes, neigong is suitable – the practice of replenishing the resource.
Biodynamic age
In this case, we are talking about factors associated with body tissues: the elasticity of muscles, ligaments, skin density, and the rate of metabolic processes. These qualities also depend on the amount of energy in the body, but to a greater extent – on the quality of its circulation. If somewhere in the body there are habitual tensions, then areas of stagnation are formed, where the energy passes with difficulty.
In the Taoist tradition, it is believed that qigong practices are necessary to normalize circulation, for example, Xing Shen Juang – qigong for the spine, relaxing habitual tensions and accelerating the flow of qi. These exercises also need to be done for about 15 minutes daily (here, not duration, but systematicity is also important).
Thus, two types of age – energy and biodynamic – we can regulate independently: 15 minutes of meditation + 15 minutes of breathing exercises + 15 minutes of qigong. In total, 45 minutes a day will slow down the aging process. And if you increase the duration of classes, then, according to Taoist masters, you can significantly extend your life, as well as improve its quality.
“Digital” age
However, it will not be possible to escape from the numbers in the passport and the awareness of our mortality. Especially in autumn, on short, dark, rainy days, we tend to emphasize the “digital” age and become discouraged about it.
To avoid this, try writing down at least 50 things you are grateful for at your age. What have you learned, what skills have you acquired, what contacts have you built, what have you seen, where have you been, what, in the end, are you proud of at the moment.
Believe me, if you honestly do this exercise and write down at least 50 points, you will love your age and experience great gratitude for the years you have lived. After all, if you didn’t have these years behind you, then none of what you described would have happened.