ALCOHOLICS Vs YOGAHOLICS

Addiction can be good or bad – depends on what you are addicted to. That is something, which drives one to pursue their chosen interests  with all the intensity, continuity and consistency. Here no conscious effort on the part of those addicted are needed – it has just become second nature.

Alcoholics and Yogaholics have something more in common, besides addiction.

One of the major social evils, seen all over the world is addiction to alcohol.   The success rate of the de addiction Programs of  Modern Medi care is far from satisfactory, which only goes to show that it has to cover a huge distance in ascertaining as to why people get addicted and how to de addict them.

In fact, some of the reasons for addiction, highlighted by the Modern Medical Science may not only be true – it may be exactly the opposite, at least in the context of India. I will mention just one of those. It is being reasoned out that addiction is in Genes and that children whose parents were alcoholics are 4 times more likely to be addicted than those of non alcoholic parents.

Most of  those, I know, who are fully against alcohol and never tried it even once  are so, because their fathers were alcoholics and unleashed violence at home in inebriated state. The children of  non alcoholic parents are not so vehement in opposing liquor and even don’t mind  filling up the Glasses, once in a while.

Getting introduced to alcohol is no big deal, because of its easy accessibility. The question to be asked is, why people are getting addicted to the fatal Alcohol, tasting awful and terrible, neglecting  fruit juices and hot beverages. It is in the after effect – a sense of relaxation and peace of mind, commonly referred to as “high”.  Alcohol goes inside the body and triggers the brain in a particular way, leading to “highs” for a few hours besides many fatal physical as well as psychic disorders, which will accompany till the end of a hugely truncated life, if excessively and regularly consumed.

A sense of relaxation and peace of mind – who will not want it? Everyone wants it. When the mind is at peace, it is always accompanied by a relaxed body.

When the mind is occupied by too many anxious, fearful thoughts, it loses its focus and balance. I would like to quote Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – If there is no focus, there will be no peace. A focused mind can guarantee peace and relaxation.  

Alcohol does that for a few hours at the cost of  one’s health and lifespan.  What, if we can make the mind, remain quiet and focused, without drinking Alcohol? Yoga seems to do the same, albeit with a difference- physical and psychic health will IMPROVE. Of course, Yoga, can’t do that in real time as alcohol does, but considering the host of  long term benefits on offer, its daily practice is really worthy. No wonder, more and more De addiction Programs had included Yoga in their schedules, in the recent times.

  

Though I was never addicted to alcohol, I used to enjoy a drink or two, in a month in my twenties and thirties. There was this excitement and enjoyment during and after drinking. As I moved into forties, I could feel the spontaneous aversion of the mind towards alcohol – I don’t have to enforce it, wilfully.  All,  I  have been doing over the years are a few Asanas and Meditation besides practicing observing the thoughts or breath, when the mind is agitated.

If it is ensured that children at schools are taught Yoga and Meditation, they will get addicted to a better choice.