To a large extent, our repertoire for ways to cope with difficulties employs the physical body. With ageing, the body invariably starts to fail and there is considerable loss in dexterity and reach. Thus, coping during old age is effected more by the mind than by the body. This means that the mind ought to be developed to compensate for the eventual attrition and decay of the physical body. While this might sound extremely morose, we should remember that the body is actually a state of severe limitation.
Even when we are younger, injury and affliction constantly ravage what we think is our most prized possession. The body doesn’t house us, rather, we cultivate the body. And along with that comes pride, envy, ill-will and desperation.
If we can keep the body reasonably functional, we ought to not cultivate it further, at least as we age. Doing this frees us from a state of extreme limitation and we are able to grow a part of our being that is not constrained too much by structure or conferred definition.
If the importance of what has been mentioned above is realized, the turmoil that is the body might be bypassed in favor of any basis that makes up our mind. With this happening, we could live at peace even with the loss of that which is held most dear.
