Brain and Mind Longevity
The body deteriorates physically with chronological age, although it may be taken care of through good nutrition and health principles, such as following the food laws, eating only the right kinds of food, diet, exercise, good mental health through positive thinking, and combining the medical alternative with Christian principles of right living. But, though the physical body deteriorates, the mind does not and we can continue to improve it. We can remain youthful and productive in our thoughts and continue to make adequate use of the intellect and physical brain God has given us.
In the books Imaginative Thinking and Brain Longevity by Dr. Khalsa, it is proven scientifically that the mind can improve for a lifetime, that age does not presuppose mental deterioration and atrophy. Stagnation and dissipation occur only when one does not make use of the brain’s functional capability or one’s talents and skills anymore. What you don’t use you will lose. God created human beings with the capacity to be productive for a lifetime, and there’s no such thing as idleness and laziness or inutility.
Though debilitated by physical illness, the person’s mind has the infinite capacity to produce and it does not wane with time. There are middle-aged and senior citizens who decide to go back to school to continue and finish their studies, and even those who are only learning to read at a late stage after almost a lifetime of illiteracy. Many higher functioning individuals compose their masterpiece, or magnum opus, during the golden era of their lives, and there are countless citizens who remain diligent and productive even during their later years.
Time wasted can no longer be recovered, but each new day God gives us an opportunity or a fresh start, to make the most out of the time God gives us, to work and accomplish and be fruitful.
For people concerned about their intellectual skills, the right kinds of books, most especially the Bible, are a precious resource. The use of the computer, the internet, and other gadgets at our disposal can always be utilized. Technical and physical skills, creative undertakings of a non-academic nature, albeit all skills and talents may be continually honed and refined unhampered.
We get old physically but our brain cells, and the mind or pneuma God has given us, does not. In “Brain Longevity” doctors sometimes prescribe natural medication to try to enhance one’s cognitive powers in order to arrest cognitive decline. The supplement Dr. Khalsa prescribes, though, phospholipids or phosphatydylcholine, has not really been proven efficacious for every individual. It may cause headache and does not really alleviate concentration and absorption problems, which may have both a physical as well as psychological cause and not just advancing age.
Pray for diligence and productivity, for opportunities for growth and improvement, and to make adequate use of the time we are given. The greatest measure of growth a Christian uses in assessing one’s improvement is spiritual longevity. Daily prayer, Bible reading, asking God for
forgiveness and help in overcoming our human nature, and learning to have the mind of God as each day passes is the mark of Christian growth.
Important Scriptures:
2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Peter 3:18: “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:15-16: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time for the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:16 (NIV): “Making the most of every opportunity.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do with all your might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave wither thou goest.”