Fountain of Youth

Fountain of Youth, for Heart not for Appearance
I have just finished reading Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth. At first it sounds quite mysterious and ponderously to me. But the further I go into it, the more puzzled I am towards this book.
Before starting reading this book, I have thought that it is a book talking about the harmony between humankind and nature. I think the fountain of youth must be related to the permanent of spirit. However, as far as I’m concerned, the book Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth focuses more on the external benefits and charming physical appearance. Here are some statements and ideas I pick out from the book.
ⅠAbout the definition of The Youth
The writer says that every man desires to live long but no man would be old at the very beginning of this book. The secret seeker, a man named Colonel Bradford, is troubled with not growing any younger after 40. Then he set out to accomplish his desire of a long-living. And when he has come back, he has been able to look much younger and stronger. He has passed his theory to others who eager to look younger and to be alive forever. And that’s it. That’s it the fountain of youth.
Apparently, this Superman connects the Youth with a younger appearnce and more energetic organs. Of course, the Indu yoga also take the harmony of the man and nature, body and spirit quite seriously. We can tell that the fundamental purpose of yoga is to balance the speed
and function of the seven vortexes, in other words, the seven energy centers inside the body. However, the whole book gives me the impression that it is preaching the secret of a long life rather than the secret of a contented and high-quality life.
In my opinion, youth has little to do with the age and appearance. It is really about one’s attitude. Maybe it do can be achieved by the mysterious yoga. One can get the relief and content through a fully deep breath. One can be cheerful after finishing these difficult movements. These will be the internal benefits yoga brings to a exerciser, or a follower. What is most important is the inner peace.
Ⅱ About the method of achieving it
It tries to achieve the miracle of youth by six rites in all. In addition there are also other methods like keeping on a diet on etc.
It is said that ‘Most westerners think it is a law of nature that our bodies must grow old and deteriorate. By looking within, the Lamas know this to be a self-fulfilling illusion.’
I can never be for this. Bearing and death is the most nature circle of the life and the nature. Maybe one can prolong the life and put off the coming of death, but it can never avoid it. I have been puzzled with one question since I started my reading: Will one die or how will one die if he has accomplished these six rites and become a superman or superwoman? Will he die in a fairly young appearance and with his
energetic vortexes? For I believe that no mortals can live permanently. So sometimes I found that it does not make sense logically.
What surprises me is the sixth rite it recommends. It make people become celibate so that reproductive energy can be re-channeled to a higher use. What seems most ridiculous to me is that the author has called it the ‘Elixir of Life’.
I think a man who seeks for the genuine youth of life should not worship anything. There must be no elixir in this universe. And the theory of being celibate itself is against the nature. If it truly functions, why should the Christian abolished it hundreds years ago? Things against the nature cannot bring harmony and peace. And after reading the chapter of the diet, I think I will never live on such a diet even though you provide me with a permanent body.
ⅢComparison and Contrast it with the Chinese point of view of youth
The Chinese religion believes in the circle of life. It believes that there is no need to seek for a permanent life. The life is beautiful and meaningful only if it is temporary. Or no one will treasure it. The spirit lives far longer than flesh. One will live forever if he left something beneficial and meaningful.
There are also many people dying for the long life in the history. Many emperors in ancient China spend their life for the ‘elixir of life’ but
no one succeeds. It tells that one cannot stop the step of growing and dying, even by practicing yoga. But one can walk to his death peacefully and gracefully with content in his heart.
A genuine long life in my eye is just not regretting for the things I have done and haven’t when I recall my previous life. One will be youth forever, just not on appearance but inside your heart.。