APPRECIATING THE YOGI'S PHILOSOPHICAL AND SPIRITUAL ORIENTATION

Articles In This Section:

· SECOND CHANCE AT YOUTH

· ENDOCRINE GLANDS

· APPRECIATING THE YOGI'S PHILOSOPHICAL AND SPIRITUAL ORIENTATION

· THE THYROID

· GONADS THE ENDOCRINES

· FINAL INGREDIENT WITH ASANAS

· SENILITY IS DUE TO THYROID DEGENERATION

By now you can appreciate how much of this is due to the Yogi's philosophical and spiritual orientation and also to his ability to relax at will. Through relaxation he can attain the lengthening of his life span exactly as animals do—something we discussed in detail in Chapter VI. He doesn't wear himself down, he contributes nothing in self-destruction. Regular periods of meditation, on the other hand, have taught him a detachment, a preoccupation with spiritual matters on the highest level, an indifference to his surroundings, which bring inner peace and are like a shield against the encroachments of the physical world.

He has also learned over the years how to move, stand, sit, even lie down in a way to conserve every ounce of energy possible. He has conquered hate, rancor, petty annoyance and irritation. The whole arsenal of destructive emotions have long ceased to threaten him. Instead, he feels good will and love for his fellow-creatures, and these positive forces work for him.

In addition to this training of the spiritual self, the Yogi has the benefit of years of asanas, which he does every day. Here you have the prime and simple physical answer. Here is where all of us who would benefit from Yoga wisdom must begin. In fact, it is to be hoped that you've begun some time back—that as you have progressed through this book you have got into the habit of doing your Deep Relaxation and Dynamic Breathing exercises and that you take time for a period of Meditation each day in the as ana or mudra of your choice.

In one of the earlier chapters we briefly discussed the overall functioning of the endocrines and their bearing upon the various body processes. Since it is they that make us who we are and what we are, it is imperative to understand the role of each gland in order to safeguard their long-lasting working order. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to orient yourself better in choosing exactly the as anis you need to keep yourself healthy and young.

The pituitary gland, at the base of the brain, secretes a number of hormones, some of which regulate body functions directly, while others affect the proper behavior of the other ductless glands. It is therefore generally considered the master gland of the body. It keeps you from becoming lazy, fat and sluggish. It regulates sugar utilization, the production of milk and the utilization of sugar, and an under active pituitary results in diabetes. It also controls the inner mobility of the system and sexual development. Indirectly it controls our sexual behavior, largely through the influence it has on the gonads (see Chapter XIII on Sex). It is also largely responsible for our emotional well-being, and pituitary disturbance may even lead to personality changes.

The pineal gland, in the middle of the skull, is the body organizer or, if you will, its harmonizer. Pineal disturbance in children may cause premature development of the sex glands and of the entire system. In many ways, the pineal keeps an inner balance between the other endocrine glands after the pituitary has stimulated them into functioning. In the East, it is considered the seat of the sixth sense.