How to age gracefully
One question that is often posed to me is, “What is the art of graceful ageing?” When I first thought about the art of graceful ageing, it occurred to me there must also be an “art of disgraceful ageing”. But for the latter, no art is required — merely living based on one’s impulses, whims and fancies is disgraceful enough.
Then, there is “graceless ageing” — when an old person has nothing to show to people except his/her age.
Life is not just about gold medals or certificates. Sometimes a person who is at the top of the so-called ladder of success finds in his/her old age that the ladder was on the wrong wall.
Then, what is graceful ageing? In this world there is continuous change. Time can never be directly perceived, but we are aware of time, for it is always indirectly experienced by us in the form of change. And, if we become intensely aware of time, we suddenly will feel an urgency to question our life. We realise how quickly time is passing and wonder what we have really accomplished in life.
Whether we like it or not, change is inevitable. Whether this change is good or bad is a different issue. But the most important point is that we can consciously change; we can consciously bring about inner and outer transformation.
The ageing process begins right after birth. We cannot say, “I will not grow.” We may say this with reference to spirituality, but we cannot stop growing physically. The fundamental problem is that we are born. So, the fundamental solution is to not be born again, which is why spiritual seekers strive for moksha.
For freedom from the cycle of birth and death, knowledge of the Self is the only way. Thus, we must make an effort to not be reborn. No birth, no sansaar. Such a beautiful idea: Freedom! No rebirth. No disgraceful ageing, no graceless ageing, no graceful ageing. Complete freedom. This is what our scriptures lead us to — complete spiritual enlightenment.
Grace comes only when we start living a beautiful, spiritual life. Otherwise, the days merely come and go. Conscious living, in remembrance of the Lord, is how we must make our lives meaningful, joyful and a blessing to ourselves and others. This is called “graceful ageing.”
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