Do we need an authority on health part 1?


Last evening after reading my latest blog my wife made a very valid point. She asked me are you an authority on nutrition. I was like no way. She was then why have you attacked  nutritionists with so much vengeance.
This got me thinking about a question and it’s relevance. Who is an authority on health? And if someone claims to be one is there any truth to this claim?
Authority as defined by  dictionary.com states: the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.
Going by this definition one who claims to be an authority on health and fitness has the power to determine the good from the bad in these subjects.
Now think about this. People who have studied yoga for years, who have studied the martial arts, who have discovered and devoted their entire life to the study of nutrition, are never given the title of authority. They are always given the title of a master, guru,etc..
Why is that? The reason is simple. The study of  health and well-being is so vast, mastering it takes years of practice, dedication, devotion and self realization. This is an ever evolving subject, and even today the study of the human mind and body is still a mystery.
To call oneself an authority is to precisely pinpoint all the reasons as to what bad nutrition and lack of exercise can exactly lead to.Can this actually be quantified and explained in pure scientific terms?Can any one person however learned they are claim the same. The answer is no.
Nutritionists, health gurus, fitness experts with experience and practice give a good and accurate assessment of our health/fitness problems. But they can never claim to know it all.
The advancement in natural sciences is revealing the wonders of ancient food and lifestyle to us. We are slowly learning the ancient and advanced way of life. The harmony that existed in the lives of earth’s earliest dwellers. This harmony was a result of good eating habits and physical exercise. This advancement has led to the growth and expansion of wellness programs, organic farming, yoga centers etc.
Health and fitness are meant to improve the state of our lives, not become a sparring contest on who knows more. Instead of claiming to be an authority, why can’t we share our knowledge with one another. This enriches, changes and makes us more aware of this wonderful world of health .
Studying, learning about fitness makes one aware of the mind and body’s true potential. The master  should be more of a father figure and less of an autocrat. The guru and disciple are 2 sides of the same coin. The disciple today is the guru of tomorrow..

Belittling this field by claiming to be an authority on the subject is akin to being a dictator in the free world. In the quest for  good and everlasting health sharing more than dictating is the mantra to follow.
Modern day teachers/gurus/experts are indulging in a game of one-upmanship and  competition which is so far away from the principles of health
Trying to become the holy grail of health fitness gurus are forgetting the basic principle by which they became gurus. That principle was the thirst and desire of learning.
So don’t be an authority on health just learn and share this wonderful knowledge of health with the world. It will change the way you think and live.
Who is my guide and friend on fitness and health..Doesn’t this sound better?
You decide..

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Traditional Versus Modern

This is a topic that always stirs up a debate wherever it goes. The traditionalists always sneer at the modernists and vice-versa. The story goes the same when it comes to health and fitness The diets and exercise programs that we follow in present times have their roots in the traditional. But the divide has never been so apparent. Swords have been drawn,with both sides ready to go to war at the drop of a hat. Why is this so? Are we in a warlike situation?Yes we are. The   booming and ever growing world of health and fitness has became a war which each side wants to win and proclaim as their own. You may ask but health is not a country, fitness in not running for elections, then why this contest! The answer to this lies in our perception and understanding of health.We the people are subconsciously fueling this battle. Traditional forms of health/nutrition/exercise till the 1940’s were recognized and accepted world over as a means of staying fit and healthy.The
Read more

Feeling right

There are days when on waking up I feel like I have won Wimbledon. Some days   I feel even walking 10 steps to the bathroom akin to running a marathon. Why do we feel in such diverse ways to mornings that were and will always be the same.  Unless of course you sleep on a plane and wake up each morning in different continents. Ah! The life of James Bond  There is no answer to this. The food you eat, the people you speak to, the programs you watch, even the books you read all this play a part in the health of your sleep. When a person sleeps the subconscious mind gets the freedom to wander about in whichever direction it pleases. Along the way it meets the stupidity and nonsense that the conscious mind creates.10 times out of 10 the subconscious is always right. The wrestling match that follows between these 2 ends up sapping a man of his energy, thus feeling tired when one awakes. Secondly the food you consume plays a very big role. Visualize yourself eating
Read more

Eating Out

For the greater part of my life home cooked food was lowest on my list of priorities.  I love eating out, that to me is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Since the last 3 months I have gone healthy with a vengeance. All my meals during the day are home cooked.   I have been following this pattern, with an exception when i watch movies. The thought of eating those greasy samosas and ordinary popcorn is still something that makes my mouth water.   Last Saturday we had gone out for dinner to a friend’s place. The couple being warm, Indian and gracious decided to feed us till we dropped. From the time we got there food and beer just followed. Initially it was all fun, great conversation was happening. Thus my mind switched off to the reality of what i was eating The food was ordered from a Moghlai restaurant which at one time was considered the best in the business. The story is very different now. The food was spicy, artificially coloured and cooked in proba
Read more