Fascinated by Bio-Rhythms

We all experience good days and sometimes bad days as regards our outputs, moods etc.

All living beings in nature exist in a cyclic manner. The most common being the 24 hour cycle called the Circadian Rhythm which affects our feeding and sleep patterns. Thus we feel sleepy and more alert at about the same time everyday even without looking at the clock.

There is a field of science called Chronobiology which deals with the study of periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar-related rhythms etc. called biological rhythms.

Western scientists have tried to establish  over past 150 years how these rhythms can be mapped and use a mathematical model to predict highs and lows and peak mood and performance timing for each individual.

'Theory of Biorhythms' suggests that our physical, intellectual and emotional performance rises and falls in a predictable cycle. The lengths of the cycles are 23 days for physical factors, 28 days for emotional and 33 days for intellectual factors.

Impact of Biorhythms

Since ancient times, civilisations have used biorhythms in their social practices.  Modern scientists have for long studied the theory of biorhythms but the jury is out on the effectiveness of biorhythms  on predicting moods and performance. 

One of the advantages people like me have is we have a good experience and understanding of both tradition and modernity, theory and practice, rooted in both Judeo-Christian and Indian thought and values of the West and the East.

The approach of the West is based on postulating a theory and then working on it to prove it by scientific means. Once established it is imposed through the various institutions and often mandated by law. If it cannot be proven, it is simply discarded.

The approach of the East is based on observation of effects and impact, and empirically validate an approach. Once stated by wise people it is assumed to have merit and be relevant. It is then simply practiced by those who choose to. If it works people stick with the practice, if they do not find it effective or appropriate they simply abandon it.

Cumulative Impact

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. If scientists are not able to conclusively prove some phenomena,  does it mean that the practice has no relevance?

Biorhythm based performance is ridiculed by some as pseudo science and others swear by them.

Using the Biorhythm Calculator, it might be interesting to map one's biorhythms and maintain a diary on moods, behaviour and performance and see for yourself if biorhythms works for you. 

'Know thyself' say the wise people. 
It's possible that we will learn more about oneself and have fun in the process of our own evolution.

__________________________________

Interesting Links:

• Calculate your biorhythm.
• Biorhythms - Wikipedia
• Biorhythms explained based on ancient Indian life energy forces & Chakras
• What is Circadian Rhythm?

Just a piece of meat

A few weeks ago, 40 year old Manmeeth my sister required to undergo surgery.

Normally independent and strong spirited Manmeeth was inexplicably very nervous and so Mohini my wife and I accompanied her to Pune's most reputed hospital, where she had already been booked by her surgeon.

The hospital handled the paperwork for her admission and collection of advance payment  very smoothly and efficiently. Soon after she went up to her room, a small army of 23 people went to work, doing their assigned 'jobs' in a factory like manner  preparing Manmeeth for surgery. 

Surprisingly except for the surgeon and the anesthesist no one engaged with Manmeeth to make her feel comfortable or provide her any sense of being cared for.  As observers we felt uneasy and completely helpless. All we could do was to hold her hand in ours.

A weak smile on her face and a strong grip on Mohini's hand did not disguise her nervousness as they took her to the operation theatre. 

Three hours later they wheeled Manmeeth back into the room, where she remained in a state of agony and dazed for the rest of the day and night.  

My unease grew the longer I stayed by her bedside. Most of the staff were were fairly efficient, but they  appeared  least concerned with Manmeeth the patient. I could not overcome my disappointment that the hospital staff had touched her body but not her being. To them she was just a job, a patient number and could have been nothing more than a living piece of meat.

Most hospitals like to claim they are in the health-care business. 

This is very misleading in the sense is that people go to the hospital only when they are ill. Therefore hospitals do not provide health-care they provide illness-care and that too coldly and badly.

What is true is that illness-care has become a business and that is not necessarily a bad thing. What is terrible is that the business of most hospitals only focuses on mere profits without consideration for the customer (in this case the patient) or the staff. Such hospitals will eventually lose their business whenever a competitor with more patient focus will emerge.

The surgeons and the hospital staff all said the operation had been a success. 

In physical terms  they were probably correct. Psychologically and emotionally the surgery was a disaster. They had treated a body and not a person.

Being compassionate is what makes a us human. 

Ask yourself honestly, "Have I lost my compassion?" 

If you have, then remember it's never too late to re-find your compassion because you never know when you might need it yourself.