Editorial note: Dr. Harbans Lal celebrated his 94th birthday on January 8.
January is a time of new beginnings for everyone, and it's terrific if we take this opportunity to reflect on our journey through life. In January 2025, I will be 94. So, given the diminishing future, I must learn to shift my perspective.
My Guru, Guru Nanak, at the time of Guru Amar Das, wisely stated that those connected to the inner light of Guru never grow old. Within them is an intuitive understanding and spiritual wisdom. He wrote:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੁਢੇ ਕਦੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਿਨੑਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ AGGS, m.3, p. 1418
Gurmukʰ budʰé kaḋé naahee jinĥaa anṫar suraṫ giaan.
Guru(wisdom)-oriented people never grow old; within them resides an intuitive understanding and spiritual insight.
In his message, our Guru Sahib asks us not to pay attention to numbers but instead transform our aging mindset. He reminds us that people who follow the Guru’s wisdom about getting older often live healthier, longer lives. They always look forward to older age as prolonging their opportunity to live with their mind at their guru's feet, meaning under their spiritual mentor's guidance.
Thus, I may look forward to old age. I retired at 69 from my position as Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. I no longer have the responsibilities of teaching and heading research projects, which may be why I have been blessed to reach the age of 94—people I meet often remark on my youthful spirit, complimenting my experience and wisdom.
A decade-long study of 660 people commented in an article in NYTimes published in 2023 showed that those with positive beliefs about getting older lived seven and a half years longer than those who felt negatively about it. Since then, research has found that a positive mindset toward aging is associated with lower blood pressure, reduced risk of developing memory problems, and a longer and healthier life. Further, they have a more positive perception of aging and take preventive health measures — like exercising and spiritual development— which, in turn, may help them live longer enthusiastically. Guru Nanak wrote.
ਜਿਨ ਤੂ ਰਖਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਤਿਨ ਭਉ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਤਰਣਾ ॥੨॥ AGGS, m.1, p. 1286
Jin ṫoo rakʰėh ṫin néṛ na aavæ ṫin bʰa▫o saagar ṫarṇaa. ||2||
O God, death does not even approach those whom You protect. You carry them across the terrifying world-ocean. ||2||
No one can stop the march of time, but you don’t have to dread it as the stereotype of aging. People 85 and older are one of civilization's fastest-growing segments of society. Thus, we are in plenty of good company!
