WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN RETIRED OR IN AGING PROCESS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ELDERLY

We look at people who are transitioning from work to retirement or already in retirement, entering a phase of life between now and death, who are self-organizing and still mentally fit. We distinguish two groups: firstly those who only start to do some practice after they have retired and secondly those who have already practiced and now want to take up this effort again or intensify it. But even those who have been retired for a long time could still do something, because the character of the next incarnation is the character of thinking in the last moment of life (quintessence from the Bardo Thödol - see also "the effect of good states" in the chapter "Samsaro and Bardo" of Tapopa's book "Spiritual development in Buddhism and Yoga").  It is important to be prepared for that beforehand. In order that ones character is good and stable, one should take appropriate precautions. People should acknowledge this universal fact that everyone who is born must die and everyone who dies gets reborn. The purpose of the creation of this universe is to return to the origin and this fact is in accordance with the laws of physics like the energy conserservation law.

In general, it can be said that a retired person has plenty of time to devote to such a reorientation. There shouldn't be any excuses. The greatest dangers of old age are physical and mental deterioration such as stiff backs, stiff legs, open mouth, shortness of breath on exertion, pot belly, organ failure, dementia, joint and/or circulatory problems, forgetfulness, pessimism, Alzheimer's, etc. Man should finally acknowledge the reality that there is no escaping the aging process and it doesn't matter how you die. Ergo, it is desirable to shape the remainder of one's existence in such a way that one slows down physical degradation and not only stops mental-spiritual deterioration, but also increases wakefulness. And this is possible. This not only brings back joy of existence and meaning of life, but is helpful for a cheap new existence in prosperity with the appropriate intelligence. The present conditions should not be frittered away by thoughtless living or living out.

Everyone experiences these symptoms: decrease in skin tightness, muscle atrophy, decrease in endurance, decrease in blood circulation, decrease in libido, decrease in physical flexibility combined with the disappearance of freshness from the cells - all this is caused by lifestyle and lifelong identification with values ​​and objects of the material world, for with these decay is a law of nature. It is usually accompanied by a drop in alertness and mental alertness. A reorientation of interests in the direction of comfort, the importance of food intake, sleeping during the day, the cementing of habits (atavisms) and uniformity of thought patterns takes place - sooner for some, later for others. The limitation of physical agility often leads to mental boredom and social reduction, which many then compensate with alcohol consumption. Critical common sense is reduced through monotony in the daily routine and one literally becomes stupid without noticing it, because everyday life (practiced a thousand times) runs as if automatically. The uncritical prolonged consumption of sensory perceptions through the eye can lead to obesity and unconscious gluttony. Chewing the cud of what has been experienced (clinging to the past) and remaining in it leads to nothing, the present is no longer experienced consciously, one is a cud-chewer - the shaping of the future is missed. Non-critical, constant television litters people and can lead to irreparable dementia, the same effect occurs when sitting continuously on a bench, at the table in a café or inn, at the window or balcony, etc., where you give with no control to your senses and or dull thinking and one becomes a willing victim of external manipulation. The desire or willingness to learn new things (e.g. language, computer skills, fact checking, reading the fine print, etc.) dissolves. This is how you practice tamas or work on your own self-destruction.

Let's stay with the group that has kept itself healthy. In these, too, the aging process can be recognized by a reduction in the inner cell content, i.e. they can no longer refresh or spiritualize their bodies. A certain minimum potential of fresh cell substrate is required so that the forces of concentration can work to transform the body. This would require a revival of the thymus function, which only a spiritual master can initiate and he needs good reasons for this. What can be done, however, is slowing down the aging process by increasing wakefulness and changing the emotional world towards a causeless joy. The asana headstand (Sirsasana) would cause the reversal of the important Vayu Apana in the direction of rejuvenation, but this requires regularity and most cannot accomplish or endure the headstand anymore. Alternatively, with a reduced effect, there are the dolphin posture and uttanasana exercises. Another danger in old age is the gradual development of pessimism, which is why positive thinking must be practiced and negative things ignored. The open mouth in many elderly people indicates problems with breathing properly and is caused by mucus and congested nadis. This can be eliminated by regular Kapalabhati (forceful, jerky inhalations and exhalations through the nose). The constantly open mouth, even in young people, indicates that this person is under the rule of their senses and atavisms - that is, the person is reflective and not a trace of corrective self-observation is present. This does not mean that such people cannot be successful in outer life, for that is determined by fate (karma).

Now to that part of the first group (beginners) who are busy full-time with their health or coping with life due to their own ailments or illnesses or those who have to care for others with considerable effort. This subgroup is so busy with workload, thoughts, and feelings that there is no room for abstraction and achieving one's own stillness of mind or self-dwelling. In addition, an unnoticed exchange of psychological components takes place in emotional attachment, which prevents self-knowledge. Almost without exception, they are unable to engage in spiritual development, if they find it at all and take an interest in it. Intellectual development is repugnant to many, as they are usually looking for a quick solution to their problems or are blocked by deadlocked views. It is therefore difficult for this group of people to make a new change in life because their previous lifestyle is diametrically opposed to the new requirements. Although it would be important for them to explore and understand their destiny so that it can be mitigated in the here and now or they could work towards a better future existence. Because they don't know about karmic laws and the processes of death, they hardly find any access to practical instructions about spiritual development - that's really a shame. That it is like this it is a feature of the current Kali Yuga, where people lose all connection with the spiritual.

The second subgroup from the first group are those who have maintained their physical and mental health and mostly have enough financial means to enjoy their retirement. It is precisely these people who have opportunities to make their lives interesting or to buy things that they have always wanted. As a result, they have no interest in spiritual values. They fail to realize that engaging the senses with new impressions from boredom or inner emptiness is just a means of bridging the gap between now and death with "exciting" moments. This also applies to the acquisition of additional material items that you actually don't need at all. They fail to find that their ego (the most precious self) is preventing them from discovering their true nature. Achieving this requires a "hard" experience. For many, the apartment or house becomes a storage place (museum) of unnecessary clutter. Old women and men like to collect odds and ends. None of them consider that when they die, the heirs get rid of (almost) everything. What the elders find on a cruise, for example, isn't so straightforward, as it's like a fun, luxury prison stay on a free tour. We can observe the same effect that people only define themselves through their senses and are therefore fully dependent like retired "campers". They only live "outside", their existence is determined by a lot of sitting, sensual enjoyment by looking, eating and drinking and sleeping (including intercourse). They can't handle themselves at home, hence they go for distractions. They are firmly convinced that it is better "outside" but their karma is always there. When they come back, they have an increase in experiences instead of knowledge. Others get a pet, a dog at least provides some exercise. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't do anything. You can do a lot in your immediate surroundings and closer social environment, believe me. And you can keep busy with yourself and make valuable discoveries. How? Through Satipatthana which is explained in the book. Remember the sentence "who can meditate well is always on vacation".

An experience of the author is to be given here. During a philosophical discussion about the indoctrination of materialism, he asked a present married couple why they spent €100k on their new SUV car (year 2021) where one for €40k served the same purpose and the difference of € 60k can be donated to charity. They looked at the author as if he had thrown excrement at them - they got up and were never seen again. This example should show how many retirees are selfish to the bone with their wealth. "It's MINE, I do with it what I want - BASTA!". How to explain to him that he has "taken and got" from others, that he should "give back" or how one can ever reduce the senseless waste of this planet's resources that ultimately end up as garbage? It is consumed or squandered without reference and without empathy to the general public. As they use up part of the karmic balance they have worked out (this account also exists alongside the bank account) and this is missing in their next existence - instead of preserving or increasing it. Which means that in turn they have to work "by the sweat of their brow". And so they crawl up a pipe, only to fall in at the top (death) and have to start again at the bottom (birth).

But how can you ensure favorable karma or conserve what you have accumulated? By resisting to the ego and its greed as much as possible, hence only buying what you absolutely need. And the rest is inherited or incorporated into a foundation or donated to charitable causes without appearing publicly. And to reduce sensual pleasures there is the dominant tool of introspection (self-obersation, mindfulness). That should be easy in retirement, since you have plenty of time and leisure for it. And how to increase the karmic account? Through doing good, thinking good, and through the metta that clears the karmic debt - see below. All sages recommend: the earlier, the present, and the future ones. Now to the interrupters who were engaged in a spiritual development earlier but interrupted it. There is not much to say: they should refresh their knowledge, pick up from there, reorient their lifestyle and stick with it.

And for those beginners who are new to spiritual development and are interested in it now, it is recommended to study the core topics of the author's book in depth. This gives them a solid knowledge base, they can draw their own personal conclusions, choose a development system and find a suitable school or tradition, or start on their own. With the content of this book you have everything they need to get started, both theoretically and practically. 

The recommended psychic-spiritual exercises in old age:

Introspection (mindfulness) and observation of surroundings
Performing Metta 
Thinking only in good, lots of laughter and happy, joyful vibes
Meditation and breath observation
Knowledge of the Bardo processes