Since the beginning of civilization, there has been a relentless quest  for the fountain of youth or an insatiable  search for finding methods to prolong our lives. During biblical times, it has been reported that some have lived to  be anywhere from several hundred  to 969 years old to 1000 years old.

Susan Shumsky, author of Ascension, wrote about a Chinese man- Master Li Qing Yun-who lived to be at least 250 years of age in her book. Master Yun learned about the ancient art of longevity one day after he met a 500 year old Taoist. When asked what was his secret, the master replied that he did an ancient exercise called Ba-Kua ( eight trigrams). I am familiar with this method since my former Gung Fu master, Sifu Y. C. Wong, practiced this everyday in his studio. After so many years, he still looks the same and still full of vitality as I see him walk the streets of Chinatown.  Perhaps there is some truth to it.

Master Yun also met a herbalist on a mountain who walked quite fast and had much energy. He found out that the herbalist was consuming goji berries in his diet.  He listened and followed what others did and and eventually became a traditional Chinese doctor ,herbal expert / herbalist and Qigong Master according to Ganga Nath, author of Herbs for Spiritual Development, spiritual teacher, Tea Master and founder of the Universal Fellowship of Light.  New York Times reported Master Yun’s death on May 6, 1933 as “The Amazing 250-Year-Old Man.” According to Ganga, he was a vegetarian and drank goji berry tea and was a meditator.

Japanese people have been known to have good health and longevity. Some say it is because of their seafood rich diet full of health omega-3 fatty acids. Others point out the high consumption of seaweeds that help by supplying a good source of protein, iodine, and potassium.  Some research seems to indicate that it helps to regulate estrogen and helps with PMS. Then there are those who say that all the karaoke  that they do helps with cardiovascular health and dealing with stress.

Each country has its own version of what their people do to attain  longevity. Back in the old days, people were more active and ate better quality food-food that was fresh and organic.

Achieving longevity in this day and age can be quite a challenge due to the number of contaminants in our water, air, sea and food supply. However, I believe it is still possible to some degree  to achieve longevity; it just takes some education, awareness, work and effort.

I have worked with the geriatric population for many years, have interviewed centenarians and studied holistic health for quite a few years and have come up with my recipe for longevity.

Longevity

1. Nutrition is very important. Eat an organic and mostly vegetarian diet. Eat  food that is appropriate for your Apo -e gene ( The Perfect Gene Diet). Vegan and a raw food diet ( vegetables) can be helpful for many. Be aware that cooking food at high temperatures can destroy the pranic energy in food. Best to eat food with pranic energy preserved. Drink plenty of water according to the needs of the body to be hydrated. Take only the supplements your body needs.
2. Exercise: dancing, Bak-Kua, tai chi, yoga, qi gong, swimming, brisk walk.
3. See your doctor at least once a year for a full physical and have good communication with your doctor on what you are doing and taking.
4. Have a positive outlook on things. Always count your blessings and practice non-judgement.
5. Live life passionately.
6. Learn to forgive.
7. Do the things you enjoy.
8. Don’t take things too seriously. Learn to laugh.
9. Meditate
10. Incorporate the Serenity Prayer into your life.
11. Eat plenty of fiber, keep the colon flowing and maintain a good flora in your colon.
12. Detoxify your body on a regular basis.
13. Drinking herbal tonic elixirs regularly can facilitate optimum health.
14. Fasting regularly helps to cleanse and purify your body.

There are some who swear by noni juice, goji berries, wheatgrass, spirulina and other super nutrients. Meanwhile, there are others who take supplements to help remove some of the radiation we consume in our food or breathe from the air. Dr. Fred Bell believes that Shou Wu Chih helps cleanse our blood, removes the radiation from our body, replenishes our Qi and cleans the liver. However, it behooves one to research anything one consumes to make sure that what you consume does not have an adverse effect on your body. For instance, eating excessive goji berry may cause some stomach problems. With regards to spirulina, there are reports that it can cause some liver issues. The moral of the story is to do your homework and consult with your physician and health care provider for anything you take.

Ganga Nath’s book is about tonic herbs and how it can help one achieve radiant health and longevity. He wrote about the importance of the Three Treasures Philosophy from China. They are about the three components of our health that need to be addressed to achieve good mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. They are Jing ( primordial energy), Qi and Shen ( Spirit).  Ganga considers the above philosophy as China’s greatest gift to humanity. Tonic Herbs can help with the three components. Ganga wrote about one particular tea which is touted to be the best tea in the world. It is called Spring Dragon Longevity Tea which can be purchased at www.dragonherbs.com. I drink this tea daily as part of my health routine and find it quite relaxing and refreshing. It contains Gynostemma or what is known in China as Magical Grass. In 1972, Japanese researchers discovered that many Chinese octogenarians drank this herb. I do drink tonic herbs and find it very holistic and supportive to optimal health. I purchase them at http://www.dragonherbs.com. Ron Teeguarden , a Daoist Herbal Master, owns the store and purchases only the highest grade of herbs for his customers. I purchase my goji berries only from him since they are probably one of the highest quality. When purchasing herbs, it is important to get quality herbs because many are grown in soil that are depleted of minerals or grown in poor conditions.  What I like about the store is that when you call them, you can get a free consultation from a knowledgeable herbalist when you purchase their products.

Brian Peskin, BSEE-MIT ( he is the world’s foremost expert specializing in physiologic EFAs- known as PEO) and Dr. Robert Rowen ( he is considered today’s foremost pioneer of bold, healing methods that are putting an end to our most common diseases; he is the father of medical freedom) extols the wonders and benefits of PEO ( Parent Essential Oil) from a scientific standpoint on its positive effect on cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Brian’s  scientific studies have stood the test of time. He writes about the fallacy about the benefits of fish oil in his book PEO Solutions. He goes into great length explaining the benefits of PEO at the cellular level. This book is quite comprehensive  and written for physicians but is easy for anyone to follow.

Dr. Rowen is a staunch supporter of a raw food vegetarian diet for health. He feels there are three major causes of chronic or degenerative illness/disease: improper nutrition, toxins and stress. “It’s a simple matter of natural law.”

I believe there are a lot of merit to what these authors, scientists and doctors write and talk about. However, what is important besides longevity is the quality of our life, how well we live our lives, whether we have learn what we needed to learn and whether we have achieved the art of living. I believe that taking care of ourselves in the best way possible so we can fully  experience each day and each moment with vibrant health, passion, love, joy and self-less service is the key to living.

Is it better to live three hundred years full of greed, anger and bitterness? Or is it better to live 95 years of a fulfilling life?

I think that we should not be so concerned about how long we live but how well we live our lives and how well we are prepared for immortality. Yes immortality- life after life.

The spiritual path is the path to immortality. When we  achieve spiritual mastery, we begin to dissolve the karmic energy that has been generated by us from all our incarnations. The spiritual path is not an easy one but one that we can attain mastery as long as  we are sincere and devoted to finding the Divine Presence within ourselves and all of creation. This path leads to the Divine Light, Presence and Consciousness we know as God. When we find God, we find his love. When we become one with his love, we become an immortal and Divine Being that transcends the laws of karma. When that happens, we can finally overcome death and enter into the Divine kingdom of God as an awakened, conscious, divine and immortal being of Divine Light and Love.

You can find out more about herbs and about Gang Nath at his website at http://www.UFOLpublishing.com. I highly recommend his book to start your herbal tonic elixir journey.

#longevity