In ancient India, people took the concept of Varnashramadharma (https://www.mayoan.com/post/17-varnashramadharma-in-my-point-of-view ) quite seriously.

Now let us take a deeper look at the ‘Vanaprastham/Sanyasam’ phase. It is generally believed that people in ‘Vanaprastham’ and ‘Sannyasa’, will lead a life of a renunciate. They will scale down the worldly engagement and will have severely reduced set of needs. Their living environment is also expected to follow the minimalistic/organic living principles to aid in their mental advancement and maturity.

I am quoting from my above-mentioned article –

Vanaprastha (48-60 years) represents the beginning of retreatment from hyper-active life. Things begin to slow down in life. The next generation takes over. The person gets worried about spiritual ignorance, life-after-death, unspent karma etc.,

Sannyasa (60+ years) represents the beginning of renunciation. I would probably expect the person in this phase to avoid eating meat/heavy foods and slowly transition to a liquid diet. Mental activities like talking/meditation and physical activities like walking can avoid long term health issues related to forgetfulness and mobility etc., Ideal phase to consider, meditation and spiritual guidance, as important.

This is akin to what is happening in the animal and bird kingdom. When these animals and birds sense the end of their time, they simple retire and laydown to die! These magnificent animals and birds make sure that their final moments are completely private by choosing a secluded and peaceful spot for dying! Most of us will not even see the 'dead' body of a naturally died animal or bird; They are that secretive and exclusive!

We, humans cannot do that. We need to have a matured process for engaging death since we are the only capable species that can ‘think’/’meditate’ and experience the advances stages of the involution process. The closest that comes to what is happening in the animal and bird kingdom is the concept and practice of ‘Vanaprastham’ and ‘Sanyasam’.

We already saw about the 3 types of death - https://www.mayoan.com/post/43-3-types-of-deaths .

Now what is a good death?

If a state is taking good care of its soldiers and if the war being fought is a just war, then there is great honor in deaths at the battle too. The same is true, for police officers and fire fighters who lay down their lives in the line of duty. This concept is called as attaining "Veera Swarga".

But what about,us the other common people?

Definitely, ‘Internally induced death’ is a great blessing! But think about it – what if suddenly a elderly person meets his end while at shopping or when he is in the midst of giving a speech! It will be shocking and unpleasant for others!

To avoid this unpleasant experience, as much as possible, we can have 2 approaches –

1.      As a group, we should be serious about retirement strategies for our elders without reducing the life experiences suddenly. Gradual disengagement on select fronts and being in touch with loved ones may have to go hand in hand when the elders are in this stage. Spiritual reclusive sessions can be planned for them. For some who can still travel, pilgrimages can be planned. Perhaps after age 60, the elders should be taken through a guided experience as in the concept of “Vanaprastham/Sanyasam”. They may be suggested to adjust to a new vegetarian diet that may eventually become a prominently liquid diet. And instead of all the synthetic clothing, they may be given simple cotton/linen clothing to wear. This is best handled in a facility like ‘Community Elder Care Centres’.

2.      As an individual, we should be focussed on strengthening our ghost body through appropriate yoga practice and diet, perhaps after we cross the age 55-60 limit. A host of health issues can be solved if we have a strong ghost body. So, instead of the gym we should be going to the mental gym (meditations) at this age and also take to simple exercises like walking, stretching and practising certain yogic postures. We should aim to be mobile and stable till our last minute! Like the animals and birds, we should aim to have an intuition (through meditation or daily prayers) that foretells us about our coming time and be ready to meet it gracefully when it happens.

Now the perception is that an advanced yogi, who has mastered kundalini yoga may go beyond the ‘Internally Induced death’ and may be able to trigger his own death at the time of his choice! If he is expelling his soul at Sahasrathalam, the soul is supposed to attain Mukthi. If he is expelling his soul at the Ajna or the Vishukthi chakra, he becomes an advanced soul.

It is believed that, If he is an accomplished Gnani who is not expelling his soul or a good and decent soul waiting in the 'Community Elder Care Centre', expecting dignity in death through the natural processes, then post his/her final moments, he/she is supposed to reach the heavenly realms in his/her ghost body where he/she may be bestowed upon a new gross body suitable to that realm!

Hari Om!

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