Old-Age- Problems and Solutions

   Ageing process is a natural phenomenon. The human cells have been so designed and programed that there is only a forward growth and no reversal! One cannot go back to childhood days, however advanced the medical science and pharmaceutical technologies are! However, one can delay ageing and death, to some extent! Old age is not well defined these days due to improvement in health and hygienic conditions, better drugs, and easy way of life. Less pressure on the mind, more youthful a look! As young lads, we used to see a lot of people bent downand walking with a stick and we recognized them as old, but they were hardly sixty! Now a days, people look 45 or 50 although they crossed eighty! earlier, people used to struggle hard for basic needs, particularly during the second half of the last century. Now there are better roads, water and other facilities, and people need not walk day long in different weather conditions. Many of us in the eighties today, used to walk a mile or more to attend to primary classes, move longer distance for high schools, and colleges. Now facilities are there near at home, if not, vehicles are there. Thus, the life is much easier. Easy life wears out time not the physical body? 

    However, the problem of old age remains! Life is a struggle for many even today inspite of all conveniences and comforts. The problems are multifarious. There are some problems which cannot be explained. Why do people suffer? This is an eternal question. There are problems that money cannot solve. There are some strange ones that even God does not know! Why do people suffer like that? Some people are born orphans. They also somehow live. Some are physically challenged and some how manage. But the old age is the same that has to be lived if one does not die early! 

   The problems of old age are many and varied. These are loneliness, dependence, ill health, and physical debility. One should be lucky enough to live a healthy, happy, peaceful, joyful life in old age. This happy old age is a gift of God, anugraha. Besides, the purva punya and the elders' blessings! But for these, there is no answer how one can be happy and blissful. The other reason for the happiness in old age is the empty mind, mind bereft of tension, worries, and botherations. Who can help an emotional fool, too much attached, and unnecessarily worry about situations beyond one's control? One should think what can be done within one's limits and just leave at that? If the problems can be solved, solve it? Worrying is no solution and it only brings more wrinkles on the face!
   Old people can be happy, joyful and spend their time well if they have good friends or develop the habit of remaining aloof, spending time reading, writing, hearing and meditating on spiritual aspects. Meditation is the best. Bhagavad-Gita is a good friend. Joining some Ashram is the best solution. There are many good Old Age Homes where good facilities are there. But, it is always better to be independent! Some thing has to be given up to get something, for better or worse?   

   What is happiness? Happiness is the absence of worries, tension, distressed, or disturbed turbulent mind. A still mind brings happiness with it. Happiness is a state of mind. It comes not from external sources, but is already there, within! Most of the old people are restless, want recreation, entertain the fickle mind! They seek friends, family, and other sources for their happiness. They do not know that these external objects, people, and even worldly matters cannot bring a permanent happiness. At best, they may give some temporary relief from boredom, loneliness. Wise people, the jnyani, nd the yogi realize the transient nature of the world and keep themselves busy with contemplation on brahmn. The highest one can think of is the true nature of oneself! This Atmajnyan, atmasakshatkara is the main goal of life. This brings complete release from eternal bondage of the jiva from cycle of rebirths! But this needs a guru, guide and the Bhagavad-Gita is the best guide! It ultimately brings redemption!