Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

Addiction #15 – Freedom from “HEALTH”
“Age is one of the great modern adventures … If we take care of ourselves, we can be
given several more decades. And yet most people do not see this for its ultimate,
dismaying, unintended consequence: By promoting longevity, we have created a new
biological status held by an ever-growing portion of humanity, a no-exit state that lingers
on longer and longer, one that is nearly as remote from life as death.” ~ inspired by
Michael Wolff
Right away, it is important for you all to understand that this particular chapter is not
intended to dissuade any of you from striving to “be healthier” or from living a “long &
healthy life”. It is always admirable to cherish the gifts we are given, and one of the best
ways to cherish the priceless Gift of Life is by caring for our bodies that carry that life
around inside of us each day.
So what is this chapter about? What is this “Addiction to Health” to which I refer?
Well, as with any other addiction, the determining factor is not based upon what we do in
each moment, but rather why we are doing it.
In essence, “eating right”, “resting regularly” and “getting fit” are fine things when they
are done to enable us to have more energy to serve others (and thereby serve our True
Selves). And yet those same behaviors turn into destructive addictions when they are
done merely to “feel better” or “live longer” (thereby feeding the self-centered cravings
of the ego). Essentially, the former brings us Peace & Joy (whether we live a long life or
a shorter one), while the latter makes our lives brittle & hollow – easily susceptible to
regular bouts of frustration, meaninglessness and depression.
As a species still in its infancy, we are becoming increasingly obsessed with living
longer, and the statistics seem bear this out. In 1990, there were more than 3 million
Americans over the age of 85. Now there are over 6 million, and by 2050, there will be
over 19 million! The elderly currently use 50 percent of all hospital days in the United
States. There are now more than 5 million Americans suffering from dementia, and by
2050, upward of 15 million of us will, quite simply, have “lost our minds.”
“If our children are to flower, we need to nurture them. We need to cultivate them in rich
and wholesome soil, clothe them in fine mores and Loving ideals, and direct them toward
the Highest Light of Kindness. This is how they will then be able to stand straight and tall
– this is how they may take our place as we took that of those who planted us and who
made way for us, so that in time they, too, may make way and plant. And yet, if our
children are to truly flower, we most go to seed; we must have the courage and the
humility to graciously wither and give ground.” ~ inspired by Leon Kass
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