Benefits of Walking....SO TRUE

Benefits of Walking....SO TRUE

 

The human body is made to walk.

Walking 30 minutes a day cuts the rate of people becoming diabetic by more than half and it cuts the risk of people over 60 becoming diabetic by almost 70 percent.

 

Walking cuts the risk of stroke by more than 25 percent.

Walking reduces hypertension. The body has over 100,000 miles of blood vessels. Those blood vessels are more supple healthy when we walk.

Walking cuts the risk of cancer as well as diabetes and stroke.

Women who walk have a 20 percent lower likelihood of getting breast cancer and a 31 percent lower risk of getting colon cancer.

Women with breast cancer who walk regularly can reduce their recurrence rate and their mortality rate by over 50 percent.

The human body works better when we walk. The body resists diseases better when we walk, and the body heals faster when we walk.

We dont have to walk a lot. Thirty minutes a day has a huge impact on our health.

Men who walk thirty minutes a day have a significantly lower level of prostate cancer a 60 percent lower risk of colon cancer.

For men with prostate cancer, studies have shown that walkers have a 46 percent lower mortality rate.

Walking also helps prevent depression, and people who walk regularly are more likely to see improvements in their depression.

In one study, people who walked and took medication scored twice as well in 30 days as the women who only took the medication..
Another study showed that depressed people who walked regularly had a significantly higher level of not being depressed in a year compared to depressed people who did not walk. The body generates endorphins when we walk. Endorphins help us feel good.

Walking strengthens the heart. Walking strengthens bones.

Walking improves the circulatory system.

Walking generates positive neurochemicals. Healthy eating is important but dieting can trigger negative neurochemicals and can be hard to do.

Walking generates positive neurochemicals. People look forward to walking and enjoy walking.

And research shows that fit beats fat for many people. Walking half an hour a day has health benefits that exceed the benefits of losing 20 pounds.

When we walk every day, our bodies are healthier and stronger. A single 30 minute walk can reduce blood pressure by five points for over 20 hours.

Walking reduces the risk of blood clots in your legs.

People who walk regularly have much lower risk of deep vein thrombosis.

People who walk are less likely to catch colds, and when people get colds, walkers have a 46 percent shorter symptom time from their colds.

Walking improves the health of our blood, as well. Walking is a good boost of high density cholesterol and people with high levels of HDL are less likely to have heart attacks and stroke.

Walking significantly diminishes the risk of hip fracture and the need for gallstone surgery is 20 to 31 percent lower for walkers.

Walking is the right thing to do. The best news is that the 30 minutes doesnt have to be done in one lump of time. Two 15 minute walks achieve the same goals. Three 10 minute walks achieve most of those goals.

We can walk 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night and achieve our walking goals.

Walking feels good. It helps the body heal. It keeps the body healthy. It improves our biological health, our physical health, our psychosocial health, and helps with our emotional health. Walking can literally add years entire years to your life.

It’s good to walk. Be good to yourself. Be good to your body.

 

ALL ACCUPRESSURE POINTS ARE IN THE SOLE OF YOUR FEET ...... JUST LIKE YOUR HANDS!!!

__._,_.___

"Periva Mahimai"

We are glad to present to you the audio content of the entire discourse held on "Periva Mahimai" as part of the Periva Jayanthi Celebrations on May 25, 2013 at Chennai. This scintillating upanyasam was delivered by Brahmasri Nannilam Rajagopala Ghanapaatigal, and one of our respected members Sri B Chandrasekar took the pains to record the entire content and make it available for all of you to listen and enjoy.

Please spread the word around to all of your friends and relatives, so that each and every Periva devotee can enjoy this brilliant discourse of about two hours. Also take a moment to share your views/comments here on the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wmzW0H5l0Pw#!






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A CERTAIN PERSON WILL COME FOR THAT !

In the month of February 1945, Mahaswamikal was camping in Ranippettai. Although it is a place where maximum of people living there were non—Hindus, a lot of people , crossing the Religious barrier, were coming for His Dharsan. In a place called Naavalpur, near Ranippettai, some devotees, who decided to build a temple for ‘Devi Karumariamman’, were a worried lot when they realized that the funds required would be in lakhs! 

Worried, as they were, they came to Mahaperiava to seek His Blessings.

“ We had made an ambitious plan. We may not get sufficient donations. Periava should bless us……”-----they appealed to Him.

After a few moments’ silence, Periava said, ‘ It is for Ambal, is it not? She will take care of it”

‘ We have that belief, but we don’t have even 25% money at hand as of now…..” ----they said.

“Build a construction to a height of 4 feet from the ground.’------Said Periava.

“ Then, what to do for other things like Gopuram, Vigrahas, Kumbabishekam etc.?”-------Devotees.

‘A certain person will come for that”------Periava.

The devotees got a Divine secret, but wondered, ‘when will he come? Where to find him?’

Though they were happy to receive Prasadam, they were still a worried lot!

This happened on the 14th of Feb. 1945. Where was ‘that’ person on that day?

World War Ii which started in 1939 was continuing in 1945. Allied forces were fighting the Japanese in Burma( today’s Myanmar) in the river Airavathi. The Japanese were on the eastern bank, and the Allied forces, in the west bank. Allied forces were not familiar with the place and the environement. The Major who was leading the Allied forces sent an SOS to London to send some body who is familiar fighting in the river water. Such a battalion, trained in that type of warfare was in Madagakar. It was immediately sent to Airavathi. They sent the Indian soldiers to the bank and plunged into the water.

The Japanese were furious at this turn of events. Realizing certain defeat, they turned into monsters and killed those in the bank like sparrows. Only one person survived that onslaught.

“ Why I alone was saved? “

In May 1945, when Germany surrendered, the war came to a halt!.

The one man who survived in Airavathi fight, Major Narayanaswamy, retired from the army, and settled down in Ranippettai with wife Chandrika.

One evening, when they went for a walk, Devi crossed their path!. They saw the incomplete temple and Devi’s idol in the open. Devi seemed to say to them, “ Look! I saved you from that atrocity of war, but look at me , with the sun and the rain beating down on me! Won’t you put a roof above me?”

The devotees who came to the camp for Dharsan, were flooding the place with their tears of joy!

“ This is Military Major Narayanaswamy and that is his wife. They have undertaken to construct the temple and perform the Kumbaabishekam also. Exactly like ‘Saami’ told us a few days ago!

Periava’s ‘Karuna Kadaksham’ fell on the happy couple and sanctified them! 

SOURCE----Mahaperiaval Dharisana Anubavankal----vol. 7

Compiler-----T.S.Kothandarama Sarma.

Narrator-------A certain Devotee.

Publishers-------Vanathi Pathippakam.

MahaPeriyavaaL

Nearly twenty-five years ago, SriCharaNargaL was camping in the shrI MaTham, SatAra, for eleven months.

At that time, my father shrI KAshinAtha shAstrigaL, prayed to him of his wish to listen to the prasthAnatraya bhAShyam from MahA PeriyavAL's tirumukham--sacred face/mouth. (The ten UpaniShads, BrahmasUtra and Bhagavad GItA are together known as the prasthAnatrayam.)

PeriyavA told him, "agre pashyAmaH (will see in future)".

When two months had gone by, he called us himself, asked us to bring the bhAShya--commentary, books, and started his elucidatation of them. One shrI RAjagopa-aiyar would chant only the first line from each UpaniShad. MahA SvAmigaL would then talk about it in vistAra--elaborately, like the sluices of a dam opened, about all the topics mentioned in that UpaniShad, citing from various texts of the bhAShyakAras. This lecture would take place every day for seven hours; this being so, it is not necessary to mention how much kAruNyam--compassion, MahA SvAmigaL had towards us.

The long event of lecturers went on in succession for twelve days and came to completion.

PeriyavA alone gave the lecture every day for seven hours! It is matter of surprise that not only did he show any shrama--fatigue/exertion, but he talked every day with great enthusiasm.

For this pErupakAram--great favour, of PeriyavA, it wouldn't be enough even if we were to take howevermuch janmas--births and serve him.

*** *** ***

A college professor used to come every day for darshan. But he never sought to talk with or introduce himself to PeriyavAL. Perhaps the darshan itself gave him limitless santoSham--happiness/joy!

After four-five months, one day, looking at him, PeriyavA asked, "How come you came here now?"

A great surprise for the professor. "I am coming here daily?"

PeriyavA asked him the same question again. The professor returned home in a state of understanding nothing of the question. As he entered his house, a letter that was lying on the floor came in his sight. He took it and read. 'Very urgent. Forthwith you go to such and such college in such and such place and start your work there.'

How was the message of the letter known to PeriyavAL beforehand? 

Whatever... The professor got ready for the relocation with his trunk and bed.

*** *** ***

Four girl children for us in succession. But then we need a putra--son to save us from the put-naraka? The deities in temples did not open their mouth in reply to us. So I sought, along with my dharmapatni--wife, the Deivam that listens with its tiruchchevi--sacred ears, and replies with its tirumukham--sacred face.

He listened to our prayers for putrabhAgyam. When the darshan was over and he gave us leave, he gave a bilva-fruit as prasAdam.

Isn't the bilva-fruit one that belongs to Shiva?

In due course of time, a Shiva-pazham--Shiva's gift of fruit, arose in our home. Getting PeriyavaAL's permission, we named him as the very "Chandrashekara".

*** *** ***

In the place where SriCharaNargaL was staying, bedbugs had multiplied in large numbers. Where one placed his foot on the floor, the bedbugs were seen. On PeriyavA's sharIram--body, they would stick themselves in patches like the bees from a beehive, at times.

An anbar--devotee brought an insecticide to kill the bugs. PeriyavAL had come to know of this. He called the anbar.

"We eat food for our own sharIra-poShaNam--nourishment of body. Food for the bedbugs is the blood of the manuShya sharIram. The bedbugs themselves take their food! Without their food, how could they live? Right?

"There should be no jIva-hiMsa--injury to living beings. If we are in priyam--attached to one who does some upakAram--favour to us, it would not be a surprise; our elders would say that one who is in priyam even towards a person who does apakAram--wrong, to him is the virtuous man..."

After listening to this talk, would that Anbar have the heart to sprinkle the insecticide in PeriyavA's room?

But this is not a surprise. Within a day or two of this conversation taking place, the bedbugs themselves vanished--that is a wonder!

Perhaps the bedbugs had understood PeriyavA's bAShA--speech/language, or bhAvam--mental frame?

Maha PeriyavaaL

“Once Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati Swami of Kanchi Mutt (Sri Periva) had camped in North India. The then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi, came to have His darshan.

The Prime Minister of India placed a similar question in front of Sri Periva, “If you would pinpoint the persons who, in the name of spirituality, lead the people in a wrong way I will take action against them.”

Sri Periva laughed and said, “No! It should not be handled in this manner. Those who approach such fake swamis will themselves, after a time, understand their standard of maturity.”

Sri Periva knew that this reply did not satisfy Smt. Indira Gandhi. Someone had offered a basket full of mangoes to Periva. It contained many unripe and a few ripe fruits.

Many devotees waited outside for Sri Periva’s darshan. Sri Periva instructed the attendants to bring a child from amongst these devotees. A child of about 5 years was brought to Him. Pointing to the basket Periva smilingly said to the child, “Take whatever you want.” After a search the child picked up a ripe fruit.

Sri Periva pointed out to Smt.Indira Gandhi who was watching this, “Just as the way a child knows what is ripe and what is unripe, so too would those who go out in search of Truth recognize a true Mahan at some point of their life.” 

COCONUTS Did You Know...

That coconuts are one of the wonder foods on earth that amply provides for all human needs? They can even save your life!

 

Few people (even fewer doctors) understand how important the coconut is to stabilizing blood sugar; lowering cholesterol; healing; hydration; and even replacing blood plasma in an emergency.

 

Referred to as kalpa vriksha (Sanskrit for "the tree that supplies all that is needed to live") in ancient India, the coconut palm has been recognized as a top immune booster, antifungal,antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial remedy for thousands of years all over the world. Yet, it has only been recently that modern researchers have begun to fully discover the massive health benefits this amazing fruit seed offers.

 

To give just one example of coconuts' live-saving properties, they were used extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Since blood plasma supplies were scarce, it was very common for medics to siphon pure coconut water from young coconuts to be used as emergency plasma transfusions for soldiers who were injured. Since coconut water is nearly identical to human blood, it was suitable for people of all blood types.

 

Because of its strong antioxidant properties, the coconut can be used to:

==> Lower cholesterol

==> Improve digestion

==> Ward off wrinkles

==> Stabilize glucose levels

==> Fight off viruses

==> Build cells

==> Regulate hormones

==> Increase thyroid production

==> Lose weight

==> Increase metabolism

==> Fight infections

==> Stave off memory loss

==> Kill bacteria

==> And more!

 

Considered one of the most treasured foods of all time, coconut products -- including coconut flesh, coconut water, coconut oil, and coconut cream -- each deliver superb health benefits.

 

Coconut oil, for instance, is considered the best and safest oil to use for cooking -- even superior to extra virgin olive oil when it comes to giving the body what it needs for optimum health. Unlike other fats and oils that we typically use for cooking and baking, coconut oil does not form polymerized oils or dangerous Trans fatty acids in our bodies, which can raise our cholesterol levels; clog our arteries and even make our skin sag and wrinkle. Plus, this ultra-safe oil can give your body important antioxidants that can help build stronger cells and improve your overall health and well being.

 

Here are a few ways that you can use coconut products to stave off disease and to recapture the look and feeling of youth:

 

Coconut Water - The coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost 9 months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored within its shell. This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure and sterile, which is one reason why it can be used for blood transfusions.

 

Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration.

 

Coconut Oil - In addition to being superior for cooking and baking, coconut oil also makes a superb topical oil that can help to naturally rid the skin of dangerous toxins. It also gives the skin the perfect mix of hydration and antioxidants that it needs to stay healthy, smooth and younger-looking longer.

 

Another great benefit of coconut oil is in protecting your teeth from the bacteria that can cause cavities and disease. Simply rubbing a little fresh coconut oil on your gums and teeth can keep them stronger and healthier than virtually any other dental treatment.

 

Most people don't realize that coconut oil can actually help you lose weight! Yes, simply changing your cooking oil from the unsaturated fat variety to coconut oil can help you lose those extra pounds. Here's why: Unsaturated fats found in canola, corn and other vegetables oils, as well as margarine suppress the metabolism, which makes it harder to lose weight -- and easier to gain it. Over time, this metabolism suppression may result in 20-30 pounds of excess weight that your body cannot get rid of. Coconut oil, on the other hand, helps to increase thyroid function and boost your metabolism -- 2 important components to shedding unwanted pounds.

 

Coconut Cream - The best skin treatment product one can use to achieve flawless skin may quite possibly be coconut cream. Unlike traditional skin creams which can actually introduce fats and oils to the skin that will break it down over time, making it look older, creams derived from the coconut can actually replenish the skin, giving it a more youthful and healthy glow than most other skin care products on the market.

 

When it comes to buying coconut products, coconuts are not all created equal. Wild coconuts are always best, but can be hard to obtain if you don't live in a tropical country. Whether you are using this wonder food to boost your immune system; increase your metabolism or fight wrinkles, using products from young coconuts will help you reap the most benefit.

 

Young coconuts contain the purest unsaturated fat, compared to the fat found in the more mature varieties. This is why they offer the most rejuvenation properties for the body's tissues. But how can you tell how old a coconut is? Young coconuts are usually green in color and oddly shaped. The brown hairy ones are mature coconuts, and while they offer a lot of healthy benefits, they aren't nearly as good for you as younger varieties.

 

The best place to find young fresh coconuts is, of course, in the markets of the tropics, so be sure to seek them out if you travel to those areas. Coconut-producing regions export coconuts all over the world, however, so it's relatively easy to find coconuts at your local health food store or Asian grocer.

Compassion and objectivity of H.H. Paramacharyal –

It was when the Pope had come to Madras and a conference on the Religions of the World had been organized by the leaders of Christian religion in the Rajaji Hall, Madras, Distinguished representatives of all major religions had been invited in the usual formal way by a letter with a request to intimate the consent to participate a delegate-speaker along with a passport size photograph so far there was nothing singular or sensational.

Only when it was known that the Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham was one of those so formally invited and asked to send a passport-size photograph, the shock-wave spread and many a pious follower of Sankara felt deeply upset at the affront. There were outspoken comments and criticisms duly conveyed to the authorities concerned. 

The Christian leadership rose to the occasion by deciding to undo the damage before it was too late. The responsible representative of the Archbishop of Madras at that time wad deputed to meet His Holiness the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and explain the mistake and tender apologies to Him. The role of taking this Father fell upon my weak shoulders, due to the good offices of a professor in a College in Madras who happened to know me.

The Father took me in his car to Kanchi and I promptly contacted the Math Manager and appraised him of the delicate mission. He took action at once and the next thing that happened was the direction from Sri Bala Swamigal, His Holiness Jagadguru Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati to take the Father to Him.

His Holiness Sri Sankara Vijayendra Sarasvathi Swamigal gave a benign audience to the Father and learnt from him the circumstances and purposes of the visit. His Holiness fully appreciated the spirit of the move and blessed him.

A few minutes later the Father along with me was ushered in the presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvathi Swamigal. The sight was breath-taking and contrary to what we expected. His Holiness was running high temperature, was lying on the ground covered, not with any woolen blanket, but with a raw mat. His head alone was visible but the eyes were closed. Because he was in that posture, we were not allowed to prostrate in homage.

The Christian father and other stood transfixed around the Paramacharya at a respectable distance. At a gesture from the Paramacharya which was hardly noticeable to the onlookers, an authority of the Math asked me to explain the purpose of the visit of the Father. Succinctly I traced the origin of this strange mission and resultant visit undertaken at the instance of the Archbishop in which the mistake was regretted and the Father was there to express it in person and to receive the blessing of the Paramacharya for the success of the conference at Madras. All the time, it was evident, the Paramacharya was listening to every word that was being uttered. For, the moment the statement ended, the Paramacharya shot both His arms out of the mat and blessed the Christian Father with folded palms moving them up and down three times.

It was at once known that the blessings sought for had been given. No one understood better the message with all its significance than the Father himself, as he confided to me on the way back to Madras.

The Father received all the Math honours due to a distinguished guest, among them a beautiful shawl profusely laced. The Father had the shawl on him throughout the journey till he went back to the Archbishop to report the outcome to his errand. When it was suggested by me on the way back to Madras that he could remove it if he felt warm, the reply was that he was overwhelmed by the grace of the sage and had decided to have the shawl as a mark of that grace till he presented himself to his superior.

To think the entire episode was taking place when the Paramacharya was laid flat with temperature scorching him and that too at that advanced age throw into bold relief the high seriousness of his inherent humanity, charity and understanding. That was a clear instance of the spirit winning decisively the battle against the flesh.

Again, to me, a simple academician for one, the matter for great astonishment was the analytic power, incisive thought and impeccable judgment that the Paramacharya’s recorded speeches and writings exhibit. Many of us are, I am sure, quite familiar with His historical research (‘I will also do some research’ as he himself jocularly remarked) into the date of Sankara.

True to his word, He meticulously employs the settled methodology of stating all the available theories one by one against the position he has himself taken, marshalling the opposite points of view and arguing the case without bias and without making it appear faulty by the very mocking presentation of it and, finally refuting them in the same order with evidence that have a bearing equal to those that the opposition presented, it not greater in force and authority, and after all this, leaving it to the listener or reader, as the case may be, to come to his conclusions, deriving his own deductions.

With the entire stock of the traditional scholarship and wisdom as well as a thorough grasp of the latest developments as the backdrop and thus with a total historical perspective and sense, his research has a fullness which ordinarily a research work on such themes by a modern historian lacks.

In the course of arranging the facts and evidences, the Paramacharya does not cling to any position dogmatically. For instance, regarding Sankara’s alleged reference to certain Saiva saints in the Sivabhujangam that suggests that he should be placed chronologically later than these Saiva saints like Siruttondar whose date is definitely known, the Paramacharya does not hesitate to say that Sivabhujangam may not be, and is not after all, the work of Adi Sankara but only of Abhinava Sankara, a Peethadhipati of the Kanchi Math. Mistaking this Acharya for Adi Sankara, some have rushed to the conclusion that 788-820 A.D. is the date of Adi Sankara. 

Similarly, His political perceptions as to how Indian democracy has to be evolved, articulated for ahead of the times, are as relevant today as they were at that time, if not more. This he does with the model of the functioning of the electoral system and administrative machinery recorded in the famous Uttiramerur inscription of the Chola period. Even if that electoral system could not be followed today exactly in the same way, the principles at least on which it was founded are eternally valid. Even as this article is being written, there is a letter to the editor of “The Hindu” from an Indian resident in the USA in which a time limit to the tenure of a legislator is required to avoid entrenchment in power and to minimize chances of corruption and autocracy.

Paramacharya has dwelt at length on this aspect of political power on the basis of the Uttiramerur inscription. The checks and balances recorded therein are the only way to redress the ills that have befallen the body-politic of Indian democracy. The basic note is the moral responsibility and purity of character along with a deep faith in God and values of life-saving than any temporal power and possession.

We of this generation are singularly blessed in being at a time when His Holiness Paramacharya turns hundred, having performed nearly a century of spiritual ministration. May we prove worthy of His grace!