Dawio Bordoli and Maria Theresia Bitterli
in collaboration with
Anja Käthner and Alex Dawson
Translated by Alex Dawson into English
from original Italian:
“Ishvara Healing Meditation”
We sincerely thank Anja Käthner and Alex
Dawson for their valuable contribution in
asking Ishvara some questions.
First edition 2019
© Studio Ishvara
studioIshvara@hotmail.com
BoD – Books on Demand GmbH, Norderstedt
ISBN: 9783749463633
The hope of eternal existence is the dream of humankind and for centuries science has invested lots of money in the search for new medicines, techniques, tools and methods that can, if not allow us to live forever, at least allow us to live for as long as possible and in good health.
While nutrition is important, so is the sense of belonging to a community. In the world there are different areas where its inhabitants live longer and healthier than other parts of the Earth. For example, Okinawa in Japan 1 is one of the places where people live the longest and the ultra centenarians who live there are less affected by degenerative diseases that most affect other countries, such as cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer and osteoporosis. The secret of longevity of the Okinawan population lies in their lifestyle, in a diet based on healthy and low-calorie foods such as cereals, soy, fish, vegetables, fruit, spices, aromatic herbs, teas, and the awareness of still being important and necessary to their family and community, the desire to live, have fun and work.
It is officially recognized that a man, Mr. Li-Ching Yun2, lived in China for up to 256 years. It is said that one day the leader of the Wu Pei-Fu Empire went to his house to ask him what the secret of his longevity was and the man's answer was: "Keep your heart calm, sit like a turtle, walk cheerfully like a pigeon and sleep like a dog”. We tried to give an interpretation to this statement: with "keeping the heart calm" we could suggest not to get too stressed, not to be subjugated by strong feelings and emotions. While, "sitting like a turtle" could be an invitation to meditate, or to take the time to sit and stand still, to learn to contemplate the beauty of life.
With "walking as cheerfully as a pigeon", Mr. Li-Ching Yun proposes us to move to maintain our bodily agility through all those activities that help us keep our body and mind healthy. The image of the pigeon, could also mean trying to relate to others with kindness, joy and having a peaceful attitude. If, as Mr. Li-Ching Yun invites us, we make our walking, our life, a joyful "doing", that’s why the importance of being positive. Finally, "sleeping like a dog" inspires us to learn to sleep deeper and deeper, in any place just like dogs do, abandoning all our daily worries.
For most people, in general, it is very difficult and rare to improve health with age. It is very hard to change certain habits that are not good for one’s health, also because one is constantly subjected to stress.
In the next 5 chapters we will explore some important issues regarding health and the art of longevity. In each chapter you will find an introduction on the related topics, followed by an in-depth dialogue with Ishvara. We will explain what Ishvara Healing Meditation is. And we will end with a brief conclusion.
1 https://www.lastampa.it/cultura/2012/02/16/news/il-segreto-di-okinawa-br-l-isola-dove-si-vive-fino-a-cent-anni-1.36500997
2 http://www.absurdityisnothing.net/2010/03/il-mistero-di-li-ching-yun-luomo-che-visse-256-anni/
"The WHO has defined them as an invisible outbreak: a vast range of slow developing and progressive diseases that are the leading cause of death in the world, an authentic "invisible epidemic". Thus, the WHO has defined chronic pathologies. Heart, respiratory diseases, tumors, mental disorders, diabetes, characterized by a slow and progressive decline of normal physiological functions, are in fact the main cause of death especially in industrialized countries. Often, they arise at a young age, but many years can pass before symptoms manifest: besides age and genetic predisposition, in fact, very often at the root of these pathologies there are preventable risk factors such as a poor diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption, little exercise. and detrimental lifestyle and habits can generate what are termed intermediate risk factors, conditions such as hypertension, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels and obesity, which facilitate the development of chronic diseases. "
How is it possible that there are still all these chronic diseases, in times where the different types of cutting-edge medicines?
Ishvara: the different medicines are good, but it is society that is sick.
What causes society to be sick?
Ishvara: values must be changed.
What values do you mean?
Ishvara: a society based on competition generates a great number of diseases that are there to see.
Should we therefore re-educate society?
Ishvara: yes, re-educate the child not in competition, but rather in cooperation or collaboration.
Before re-educating the child toward these new values, shouldn't adults change first?
Ishvara: yes, even the teacher should be willing to learn and change.