From Struggle to Strength Transcending Age
Before delving into the notion of ‘struggle’ as it is used in this reflection, let us explore its essence in a more contemplative light. Commonly, we associate struggle with resistance—arduous effort, a battle against forces beyond our control, or the sheer will to overcome adversity. Indeed, the dictionary defines it as the attempt to achieve something difficult or to wrest oneself free from constraints.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Kahlil Gibran
However, in our current note, the concept of struggle is elevated to something greater—a process not of mere endurance, but of purposeful transformation. It becomes the striving toward meaningful change, however subtle or profound, in our lives and in the lives of others. Here, struggle is a creative force, the quiet architect of strength, and a testament to our ongoing journey toward a richer, more fulfilling existence.
“Struggle goes beyond noble pursuits; it becomes an integral part of Sadhana, a spiritual practice aimed at achieving complete self-transformation.”
This is not just a philosophical conception. It does have strong support from recent biological research findings. In my earlier note Hormesis - Biology redefined - Getting Stronger from Adversity (https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/hormesis-biology-redefined )
). Hormesis, a fascinating biological phenomenon, highlights how exposure to low levels of stressors, such as toxins or radiation, can paradoxically strengthen organisms rather than harm them. This process is akin to exercise—where temporary strain on muscles and increased production of harmful free radicals lead to long-term benefits and resilience. Whether it’s low doses of arsenic increasing stress resistance in worms or radiation exposure leading to unexpected health benefits in humans, hormesis defies conventional wisdom. It teaches us that adversity, within tolerable limits, can be a source of strength and growth, a concept deeply integrated into the philosophy of Sri Anand Yoga (SAY).
“This peace remains superficial unless negative emotions like jealousy, ego, or anger are confronted and transformed.”
In our current reflection on struggle, this idea resonates profoundly. Struggle, much like hormesis, is not merely an obstacle but a transformative process that strengthens us in subtle, powerful ways.
In my another blog Biological Age - a paradigm shift in measurement of Age (https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/biological-age-a-paradigm-shift-in-measurement-of-age)
I have explained the concept of the true age of an individual. Biological age offers a revolutionary perspective on how we measure aging, moving beyond the simple, statistical concept of chronological or “calendar” age. While calendar age tracks the years since birth, biological age reflects the state of our physical health, influenced by factors such as lifestyle, diet, and stress. Emerging science shows that relying solely on chronological age for health predictions and treatments may be misleading, as individuals can age biologically at different rates.
“By offering these emotions to the divine during the struggle itself, personal challenges turn into deeper spiritual practice.”
Biological age considers measurable indicators like telomere length, DNA repair efficiency, and inflammation levels, all of which better reflect how well our body functions. For instance, someone may appear much younger or older than their calendar age due to their biological aging process. Sri Anand Yoga (SAY) embraces this paradigm shift by promoting practices that improve biological age, fostering vitality, balance, and energy through its Playful Engagement with Life approach.
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." Maya Angelou
This shift in understanding age aligns closely with our exploration of struggle as a process of transformation, where biological age becomes another measure of how we thrive through life's challenges.
In my note on Anastasis - The Dance of Death and Rebirth: Unveiling the Cellular Phoenix Within https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/anastasis I have explained the fascinating aspect of our biological cells rising from the near death situation.
The concept of anastasis—a cellular process that allows cells to recover after initiating programmed death—offers a fascinating scientific parallel to the rejuvenative practices of Sri Anand Yoga (SAY) (www.srianandyoga.com). Just as SAY promotes vitality, resilience, and the body's capacity for self-healing, anastasis demonstrates how cells, much like a mythical phoenix, can rise from the brink of destruction and "cheat death." Discovered in 2015, anastasis challenges the long-held view that apoptosis (programmed cell death) is irreversible, revealing a new realm of possibilities for healing and rejuvenation.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Nelson Mandela
This process has significant implications for understanding how the body repairs itself and could provide new avenues for treatments related to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. While anastasis offers hope for tissue regeneration and the preservation of essential cells, it also carries risks, as cells that evade death might carry permanent genetic mutations, potentially leading to cancer.
Both anastasis and Playful Engagement with Life (https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/playful-engagement-with-life )
emphasize the body’s incredible potential for self-repair and renewal. They resonate deeply with the idea that life and vitality can continue even after apparent breakdowns, offering hope for personal transformation and physical rejuvenation—a vital link to the biological and philosophical discussions in this blog.
"It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all— in which case, you fail by default." J.K. Rowling
Having explained the scientific biological research findings in support of our hypothesis of from struggle to strength transcending age, let me explain the process. As I have mentioned above, what we mean by struggle is a process not of mere endurance, but of purposeful transformation. It becomes the striving toward meaningful change, however subtle or profound, in our lives and in the lives of others. Here, struggle is a creative force, the quiet architect of strength, and a testament to our ongoing journey toward a richer, more fulfilling existence.
"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." Harriet Beecher Stowe
As explained in my earlier blog Social Action as Yogic Sadhana
(https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/social-action-as-yogic-sadhana ) what is of utmost importance is OUR INNER ATTITUDE during this process, at every moment of it. In this approach, struggle goes beyond noble pursuits such as fulfilling duties toward family, society, or humanity. It becomes an integral part of Sadhana, a spiritual practice aimed at achieving complete self-transformation. While traditional yoga and meditation help cultivate inner peace, this peace remains superficial unless negative emotions like jealousy, ego, or anger are confronted and transformed. The dynamic aspect of this practice encourages engaging in struggle as a means to stir up these emotions, using them as an opportunity for transformation.
"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Friedrich Nietzsche
The process involves offering these emotions to the divine during the struggle itself, turning personal challenges into a deeper spiritual practice.
Techniques like Srikensho – Buddha in Action
(https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/srikensho-buddha-in-action) and Art of Positive Dying and Rebirth
(https://www.srianandyoga.com/post/art-of-positive-dying-and-rebirth) help navigate emotions stirred by external challenges, enabling practitioners to channel negative feelings into divine attributes like love, compassion, and joy.
"The wound is the place where the Light enters you." Rumi
We view struggle not only as a path for personal transformation but also as a way to align with cosmic forces driving global change. By embracing this dynamic process, individuals can accelerate their spiritual growth while contributing to meaningful transformations in the world. This reflects the resilience seen in biological phenomena like anastasis, where adversity becomes a catalyst for renewal and growth.
=================================
#StruggleToStrength #SpiritualGrowth #Sadhana #SelfTransformation #InnerPeace #DivinePurpose #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #EmbraceChallenges #GrowthThroughStruggle #SpiritualAwakening #TransformAdversity
Struggle Transformation Sadhana Spiritual practice Self-transformation Inner peace Negative emotions Personal growth Divine offering Spiritual journey
Commentaires