If there is a god in my universe, its name is Luck. The scientific view on Luck is based in statistics. Some call Luck 'chance' or 'probability'.
This became clear to me recently when a person who is approaching 90 years of age compared her state of relative health to mine. She triumphantly said, "Well, you don't have to tell me anything about health. I am this old and have had less medical problems than you have had." My response was simple. "Don't push your luck," I said.
People without the knowledge of how genetic heredity works tend to be superstitious/religious about life. They often attribute their fortunate health to moral or mystical factors. While healthy living can contribute to longevity, genetic resistance to disease and physical deterioration actually determine longevity. The individual has nothing to do with that genetic heritage.
Luck is fickle. Practice is a way to endure bad luck and to utilize good luck wisely. Realizing in practice that we are all equal in the gamble of life and mortality can bring compassion to practice.
This became clear to me recently when a person who is approaching 90 years of age compared her state of relative health to mine. She triumphantly said, "Well, you don't have to tell me anything about health. I am this old and have had less medical problems than you have had." My response was simple. "Don't push your luck," I said.
People without the knowledge of how genetic heredity works tend to be superstitious/religious about life. They often attribute their fortunate health to moral or mystical factors. While healthy living can contribute to longevity, genetic resistance to disease and physical deterioration actually determine longevity. The individual has nothing to do with that genetic heritage.
Luck is fickle. Practice is a way to endure bad luck and to utilize good luck wisely. Realizing in practice that we are all equal in the gamble of life and mortality can bring compassion to practice.
