Cosmology of Health Part 2 – The How-Tos

As part of my long-ago graduate studies, the following was written years before the Covid pandemic hit. Upon recently re-reading it, I was struck by how recent events cast a new light on these ideas, and I thought I’d share.  This is the 2^nd installment.

“Cosmology of Health Part 2” delves into some of the practices that will increase our healthfulness and introduce greater balance into our lives.

There are choices one can introduce into everyday living in order to better contribute to health of both our bodies and our community (the micro and macrocosms referred to in Part 1), or as I think of it: our shared “Is-ness.” I was introduced to some of these concepts by the late David Simon, MD.  Simon, a Western doctor who practiced neurology and partnered with Deepak Chopra to set up Chopra Center for Well-Being. (See * below for more info on Dr. Simon.)   His book, “The Ten Commitments,” was my inspiration.  While he refers to “commitments,” I refer to them as “practices,” as I believe he meant them to be such.  What is a practice? A repetitive behavior aimed at increasing our ability in a targeted area (think practicing the piano, a sport, etc.)

Following are my interpretations of practices that contribute to healthfulness.  They are Freedom, Authenticity, Acceptance, and Truth.

Freedom:

Illness brings about restriction and constriction on both the physical and non-physical planes.  Freedom is the absence of such restrictions.  To practice “freedom.”

1) Pay attention to the body. Where there is tension, ask yourself, “Where do I need to re-interpret my life?  How am I in prison/constriction?”

2)  Ask, “What choice can I make NOW to move toward well-being?”  And most instructive:

3) “What isn’t serving me anymore?”

I.e., where is the dis-ease, where have I created unnecessary or false restrictions, and how can I re-cast them?  What choices can I discard and/or replace with more productive choices that align better with my authentic intentions? Ah, “authenticity!” A key element in embracing good health.

Authenticity:

Ridding oneself of the “Now I’m Supposed To’s” is easier said than done.  (Now I’m supposed to go to college, earn a living, get married, have babies, etc., to name a few of the more universal “NISTs”.)   At every stage of life, there seem to be new NISTs, and it can be wonderful when they align with our inner desires and abilities.  But when they don’t, it is truly hell on earth. And can make us sick and create a toxic atmosphere for everyone around us. For the practice of “authenticity”:

1)  Identify behaviors and habits that just aren’t you and are not authentic to your essence.  To do this, listen to that inner voice and feel that gut.  If your reasoning/analytical mind seems to be finding justifications and fighting with your gut, this is a red flag.  Pay attention!

2) Replace any inauthentic behaviors with ones that reflect your true self and values.

3) Mock up the next chapter of your life and take steps in alignment with that vision.

4)  Look at your interaction with the material world and align it with your core values. Do not confuse material abundance with achievement or happiness.  Consider simplicity.

Practicing Authenticity is working at “To Thine own self be true.”  Years ago I realized:  If you don’t tell yourself the truth, you’re automatically lying to everyone else, too.  And here is a bit of wisdom:  the energy put into maintaining a false self is far greater than the energy it takes to displace it and start honoring and maintaining the authentic self.  In my experience, creativity, affluence, and serenity are the offspring of the practice of Authenticity.  And authenticity nurtures good health.

Acceptance:

I find Acceptance one of the most rigorous and difficult practices – and not because of the difficulty of (truly) accepting others.  Acceptance of myself and my limitations has been an ongoing challenge.  The gap has at times felt great between what I feel capable of versus what I actually accomplish.  To practice “acceptance”:

1)  Listen to your body and notice where you are resisting.

2)  Be fully present with the choices that are available. Are you aware of all of them? Which barriers to choice are real, immovable, and which are not?

3)  Remember:  everyone is doing their best from their level of awareness.

4)  Where necessary, forgive.

I had difficulty with the concept of forgiveness for a long time until I heard the following very succinct definition:  To forgive is to give up and let go.  WAY easier said than done.  Me, give up?  That competitive urge doesn’t like to do that.  This life’s lesson?

Truth

I don’t really believe in “truth,” as I understand adherents of Science and the Age of Reason to use it.  I find it to be relative, subjective. And I have been delighted to discover that the quantum physicists are proving me correct!  However, the concept is still very useful.  A sense of “truth” helps to create a shared reality and core ethics and intent.  As Brian Swimme said, “The universe is expanding exactly as it must.”    I am a “truth is beauty, beauty is truth” girl.  To practice “truth”:

1)  Be flexible in your perspective on truth.  Become aware of its historical “shifts”.  Reject anything touting itself as an “absolute truth” (including this statement).

2)  Express your own truth with compassion and the intent to create an evolutionary response.

3)  Make choices that move you in your “right” direction.

To these practices, I add another:  The pursuit and nurturance of Beauty.  After coming to a personal realization about the importance of the aesthetic in my life’s quest, I was excited to discover that there is an entire school of philosophy devoted to the study of beauty and its meaning. In the context of the Cosmology of Health, one must not overlook the healing role of Beauty.  Whether through poetry, music, or harmonious colors, beauty is an integral part of good health.  Indeed, it is essential.  In fact, I’ve written a whole book about it, “Beauty As Action, The Way of True Beauty and How Its Practice Can Change our World.”

Please grab a copy to see how to bring the experience of (true) beauty into your life.  The result is always greater balance, greater health — in every sense of the word!

* Dr. David Simon was a world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body medicine. As a board-certified neurologist and expert in Ayurvedic medicine and other traditional healing arts, he brought a unique perspective to the relationship between mind, emotions, and health. In 1996, he co-founded and assumed the role of medical director of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing,