SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—21
T
he Bible is a great book… Even if you still have it backwards and don’t believe the “Jesus” story it’s a compendium of healthy living. In gives insight into all kinds of issues and the simple instructions therein if followed; provides a certain ‘balance’ to everything in life.
Recognising swine
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Take this scripture for instance, Romans 12 vs. 13: “… ‘Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but with sober discernment’. Nice. That tells me that though I know I am wonderfully made and therefore should hold myself in high esteem, I must not get carried away… humility. Then there are several instructions on how to treat one’s neighbour and how to be a good Samaritan, the importance of forgiveness and turning the other cheek; but then Matthew chapter 7 vs. 6 says: do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they
advantage because it all seemed so easy and they forget that you it was who granted access in the first place, I really don’t get it. Shouldn’t courtesy attract same?
Why must I be badly behaved and loud to be treated ‘right’?I’ve seen it happen time and time again and it baffles me
will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces. Ah, wisdom!
T
hat is the key… recognising swine. While it is good, nay imperative that we are good, and giving towards one another, if one could learn to recognize swine
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upon encounter, you would know not to cast your pearls – time, energy, emotions, money, talent, brain power, information name it –before them. It takes a while especially if your default mode is to be charitable and kind but after being ‘trampled and torn apart’ several times
you begin to learn. ou encounter them everywhere, in any kind of situation. People who take you for granted, who have very little regard for your time or feelings, who mistake your humility for stupidity and generally carry on like they think you are a fool. Why can’t one be down to earth, soft spoken, polite and still get respect? Why must I be badly behaved and loud to be treated ‘right’?I’ve seen it happen time and time again and it baffles me. You meet someone, based on whatever you give them access and then they just begin to take
Y
T
hen again one cannot be said to have grown in one’s spiritual journey if you can only extend grace to the people who are ‘nice’. Personally, I have simplified the process. Everybody gets a shot. If I am approached and the person half makes sense, I see the potential and it’s not diametrically opposed to my beliefs and principles; I will lend myself to you. I will give of my time, my talent, my energy, whatever the situation requires. Once that person begins to show traits of a pig, no resentment, no fight, so there’s really nothing to forgive; I simply bend down and pick up my pearls where I have cast them…one by one.
Belly contraction — NAULI
I
was once in a bookshop where I muscles of the belly known as the rectus picked up a book on Yoga. In it was a picture of the author illustrating Nauli - muscles are isolated and made to move in an abdominal exercise in which the central a circular notion of both ways. Though, this appeared to be a difficult exercise, the writer had mentioned that it could be mastered on one’s own without a teacher. All it took was dilligent practice. It immediately occurred to me hat this writer of Yoga was very right. I had taught myself this exercise back in 1962. It was the very first Yoga exercise I ever did. Eight years later when ! was 22 I met my Yoga teacher. I came to appreciate the body more and more as a too which could be bettered by sensible exercise and changes in diet. Every Yoga book read drove home the tremendous importance in helping the body rid itself more efficiently of waste products. There were exercises to aerate the lungs and increase their capacity; others had to do with cleansing the stomach, while others helped in achieving thorough bowel movement. Of all the various ways and means of bringing about better elimination, Nauli is top on the list. It is said to be India’s gift to the world. It is the final word in stomach-care, if you ask me. Thirty-seven years after, first started its practice, I’m still at it and much, much the better for it. Nauli must be the “backbone” of my fairly good health. Besides myself demonstrating the Nauli, there’s also this other illustration to make the Abdomal Retraction (1) reader know that this is an
exercise that can be attempted by both sexes provided there isn’t a medical problem to consider. NAULI Technique: Stand with the feet slightly apart and place the hands on the thighs. Bend the trunk a little forward.
Now take in a deep breath and exhale forcefully and fully as you push on the thighs and draw upwards the diaphragm. Quickly, without inhaling, contract the centra! band of muscles of the belly and push it outwards giving the appearance of a ridge down the centre of the belly. Now draw the muscles in and out for several times.
Abdomal Retraction (2)
C M Y K