WHEN I WATCH a movie the metaphysician in me looks out for meaning that goes beyond the physical story line displayed on the big screen. Last Saturday it was Santa Claus 3 and at first it was not easy to see beyond the silliness of the story outline--but the gems of depths were there!
     One sentence that delighted me and stayed with me is when one of Santa’s human relatives, teaches the Elf’s some relaxation techniques, ending with the gentle reminder, "relaxation is important, because ‘stress’ can reduce your life by hundreds of years."
     That made me smile as it put me into the middle of a fairy tale mood where princesses are awakened from the deep sleep of death by a gentle kiss and wherein people live HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
     Yet, pondering the concept of EVER AFTER, my mind did not stay very long in the fairy tale land though, as today’s science makes promises of longevity that sound fairy tale like--had they not come from the hard, cold research of scientists.

According to Cambridge University geneticist Aubrey de Grey:
"The first person to live to be 1,000 years old is certainly alive today ...whether they realize it or not, barring accidents and suicide, most people now 40 years or younger can expect to live for centuries."
     Among the many advances in science and technology that point to an incredibly long life for humans, possibly in the near future, are experiments that have extended the lifespan of fruit flies and other organisms, including mammals.
     Anti-aging researchers are increasingly optimistic that aging can be slowed down dramatically, or even prevented altogether.
     Even the federal government has devoted funds, to the tune of $2.4 billion a year, to study the "biology of aging."
     " ...In the near future, say the next two to four decades, the disease of aging will be cured," said Robert Freitas at the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing, a non-profit, nanotech group in Palo Alto, California.

     What then, makes the difference between a normal lifespan and one of 1,000 years? Ayurvedic philosophy points in the right direction when it says that "aging is a mistake of the intellect"--and the metaphysician in me can only agree with that. It is my thought, my attitude, my expectation that is programming my biological clock. It is my emotional touchability--or another word for it--stress--that shortens the lifespan of my cells. When I leave a human cell alone--it has the capacity to live indefinitely.
     How then, can I take control of my biological clock knowingly and effectively?
     It is as simple as living in my childlike, naïve understanding of fairy tales again--and live HAPPILY EVER AFTER. The emphasis is on HAPPY, as this is the divine pattern in which my body is designed to live and enjoy a fulfilled life here on planet Earth.
     And--it is as simple as living without the stress of emotions that tie me to a past or future. It is as simple as living without negative memories that leave their imprint on my cells which allows them to feel at dis-ease--and according to the scientists--aging is a disease.
     And--it is all about being connected to the inner flow of the eternal NOW--which is timeless, unlimited and without comparison--my inner heavenly laughter--HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Sylvia M Enz, PhD
Director,
Worldwide Healing Ministry