A beautiful conference on the role of Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases took place at AIIMS Rishikesh, inaugurated by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, Dr HR Nagendraji, Chancellor of SVASYA, Dr Subodh Tiwariji, CEO, Kaivalyadam, and others, presided on by Dr Ravi Kantji, Director of AIIMS Rishikesh, Dr Indranill Basu, Cardiologist from America and Prof Bhanu Dugal, Head of Department, Cardiology, AIIMS Rishikesh.
Dr Indranill Basu set the tone of the conference by sharing, “The science of meditation has slowly dissipated over the years. The purpose of this conference is to bring the best speakers, scientists and scholars together to discuss this science. With the development of modern medicine, specialty and super specialty, we have began to treat only cells and organs but not the human being. The connection between the heart and body is not neuronal cells alone. It is connected at every level. That is what we are here to discuss here today.”
He further added, “In India we have the highest prevalence of heart disease in young people. Primarily this is due to sedentary lifestyles and generally arterial diameters are on average less in Indians then Americans. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality in India. This can be changed not only by pills but through dietary change, lifestyle change and salt intake.” He also emphasized several studies that have actually illustrated that the brain cortex grows with meditation and how new studies are showing promising results of meditation on preventing CVD.
Dr Ravi Kantji addressed the august gathering by sharing that investment in health is a direct impact in our GDP. He emphasized the direct economic impact that a healthy population has on its GDP. He added, “It’s very apt that the gap between allopathic, homeopathic and naturopathic medicine is being bridged with integrative medicine here in Rishikesh.”
Sharing his inspiring thoughts Dr HR Nagendraji said, “Yoga is multidimensional on physical, mental, intellectual & spiritual dimensions. Meditation gives deep rest to the system and a wonderful blossoming of personality is possible from it. Meditation stimulates the tamas and relaxs the rajas. Much research shows that just in four weeks systemic blood pressure and overall health improves with meditation.” He also added that we should bring holistic and integrated approach to AIIMS Rishikesh such that it can be truly a centre of excellence in healthcare.
A b’ful conference on the role of #Medicine in #Prevention & Treatment of #Cardiovascular #diseases inaugurated by @PujyaSwamiji, Dr HR Nagendraji, @SadhviBhagawati, Dr Subodh Tiwariji, presided by Dr Ravi Kantji, Indranillji & Duggalji of AIIMS Rishikesh! https://t.co/PejbFh5tKm pic.twitter.com/EZaHkAFGiA
— Parmarth Niketan (@ParmarthNiketan) March 10, 2019
Pujya Swamiji gave a deeply inspiring and touching speech, “You are sitting in the land of science and spirituality. This land teaches us that through yoga and meditation we learn not only why to live but also how and how much to live. When you meditate you don’t steal, you don’t hurt. We can manage the Self what to talk about the stress. I always say meditation is the best medication for all agitations.”
“Allopathy, homeopathy & even after studying all the pathys w/o empathy we can never be good doctors. Being compassionate & kind is the bottom line of the science & spirituality of meditation.” @PujyaSwamiji at Role of #Meditation on Preventing & Treating Cardiovascular Disease pic.twitter.com/kXsnIo8ysX
— Parmarth Niketan (@ParmarthNiketan) March 10, 2019
He added, “Spirituality is a science. Spirituality is the real GDP of India. The Prime Minister of India knows Spirituality and Yoga is the real GDP of India- hence called for an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations. With an overwhelming consensus from the UN we can see that the world recognizes this.”
Speaking to the doctors He shared, “Allopathy, homeopathy and even after studying all the pathys without empathy we can never be good doctors. Being compassionate, loving and kind is science and spirituality of meditation.” He gave the mantras, “Meditation prepares and repairs you. Remember the multivitamins of meditation, introspection & no reaction every day. Time, ton, tongue and thought management is key to leading a healthy and balanced life.”
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, “I am deeply impressed by such a conference – how we can connect body and mind. There is an entire new field of psycho-neural immunology that illustrates how psychology is connected to neurology and immunology. Science is just beginning to uncover what our rishis, sages and scriptures have told as for so many years – as you think so you are, as you feel and believe so we see.”
Citing scientific studies she shared, “People suffering with a stroke were asked how regularly they attended a place of worship. Those that checked that they regularly attended a place of worship were less likely to have a second heart attack. This study illustrates how our connection to the Divine is the inoculation to that which ails the body. The broken connection is what you get heart burn, hate burn or hurt burn what Pujya Swamiji was speaking about. There is a state of dis-ease that can only be cured by meditation.”
She also warned doctors, “Please be careful not to see meditation as just a new pill for Cardiovascular Disease but remember that it treats the system. Meditation brings us back into alignment with the system, with the whole and that in turn treats the sense of dis-ease of the Self. As doctors also remember that more than what you prescribe your mere presence can be healing. Through meditation we can not only be better at guiding others to the cure but we become the cure to that what ails our patients and our planet.”
With a deeply thought-provoking, insightful and inspiring inaugural session closed by Dr Subodh Tiwariji and Dr Bhanu Duggal they two days full of proceedings and lectures began.