________________
844
TJIE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
gratified, becomes a still stronger longing for further gratification. Hence, worry puts in its appearance and becomes an additional tax on the body for which it was never designed. It is this additional burden on the body which is the cause of much trouble in the case of thinking beings. An animal suffers but little mental pain on account of worry, for it seldom thinks of the future. in is, however, mostly given to relyingen an his intellect, and, thus, suffers most acutely from h' real and imaginary pains, for he not only thinks of the immediate future, but also of that which is the most remote and might never happen. The amou at of energy which is consumed in the operations of intzilect, in calculating and determining the future course of events, is enormous, and directly tells on one's health. This is not all, for man at times evolves out emotions which are not only unnecessary, but positively harmful as well. Besides this, the human body is a most delicate organism and not suited to bear, with impunity, the constant pressure of hard work to which it is subjected in many instances. Exposure to inclement weather, harmful uncongenial surroundings, and want of suitable healthy food also combine to accelerate the approach of old age, and often lead to untimely death. One of the most fruitful causes of disease and premature decay, in the case of thinking beings, is the force of unhealthy suggestion, which, as pointed out by M. Jean Finot, is responsible to a great extent in shortening life. The same is the case with excessive eating, unhealthy foods and riotous, Bacchanalian living which also make heavy drains on one's store of vitality.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org