Yoga will save you from dying slowly

Dear ones, this is a poem by Pablo Neruda.

You start dying slowly
If you do not travel,
If you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem,
When you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly
If you become a slave to your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine
If you do not wear different colors
Or speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly
If you avoid feeling passion
And their turbulent emotions––
Those that make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly
If you do not risk the safe for the uncertain,
If you do not chase a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice.
Don’t let yourself die slowly.
Do not forget to be happy.

I read the poem and I was so happy reading it. It is truly beautiful. I do not wish to criticize a noble laureate, but after reading it, I thought about it.

I felt that the do nots were hard for me. It raised questions for me. The first line, if you do not travel. It is horrible because travel can be for only the privileged. Why should one die slowly if one is not travelling? One can be happy in one’s space and there are so many poets, who did not travel at all. Emily Dickinson was one of them. Travel can be experienced through watching documentaries and films. I know when technicolored films came about, the advertisements were that they were shot in scenic places in India and all over the world. Many people experienced these armchair travels through watching a film shot in Switzerland or Africa.

The rest of the poem leaves a sense of sadness within one. If one does not read, what should one do. There are many non-readers. However, one can admire nature and listen to the sounds of life with a proactive mind. Some people hate the sounds of birds singing, crows cawing and children playing. When you dislike bird song and the joy expressed by children you are dying slowly. If one is not aware of oneself as a person and lacks self-compassion, and thinks of oneself as an island, then one is dying. Routine and rigidity are mentioned and not accepting help contribute to one being alienated and hostile to the surroundings. Many of us are so complacent about ourselves, we think we know all the answers. When actually we are smug and feel superior. Being emotionless and not taking chances also makes one die slowly.

What is the answer here?

I found my answer when I started learning Yoga, with my Guru’s blessings. Yoga saved me from dying slowly. Of course, the poem has a great many angles. All of them do not apply to one. The regular Yogic sadhana grants one internal harmony and equanimity. One is rescued from dying slowly. I asked my Guru this question which I have been asked innumerable times. ‘Why does one get fat?’ By fat I meant one may not be a perfect ten but there is a weight gain. He smiled and answered, ‘When one starts the practice of Yoga, it benefits one physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The body then assumes its natural conjures.’

One begins to live when one is a sadhaka and for some of us, without being aware we experience change for the better in ourselves. This beautiful poem by Pablo Neruda definitely will affect one and all. Please read it and remember your Yoga.

Aim Hrim Klim

 

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