It was long winded but i like to know details so no worries, you helped me understand things.
Sorry about this writing was in depth, but I hoped that people would be able to follow my long journey to realizing the cause of my life of illness was air pollution.
Its really getting increasingly difficult to live on earth,
...The climate will likely continue to worsen in our lifetimes... with many increasing freak weather events, droughts, fires, floods, and forced habitation-changes...
While I agree with both of you, and I can see a number of factors including human caused global warming, and I have been an advocate of it for 50 years; nonetheless, I have, due to my study of astronomy, anthropology and archaeology I am nonetheless, aware of the sun's 11 year cycle, and I am aware that it tends to produce weather cycles known as la Nina and el Nino. During la Nina the dry parts of the world go through drought and have more wildfires; whereas, the wet parts of the world have more floods and storms. During the el Nino cycle the reverse happens. Consequently there have been global record wildfires for the last 3 summers.
It is believed that El Niño has occurred for thousands of years.[11] For example, it is thought that El Niño affected the Moche in modern-day Peru. Scientists have also found chemical signatures of warmer sea surface temperatures and increased rainfall caused by El Niño in coral specimens that are around 13,000 years old.[12] Around 1525, when Francisco Pizarro made landfall in Peru, he noted rainfall in the deserts, the first written record of the impacts of El Niño.[12] Modern day research and reanalysis techniques have managed to find at least 26 El Niño events since 1900, with the 1982–83, 1997–98 and 2014–16 events among the strongest on record.
And, by the way, wildfires release far more air pollution than humans produce, which results in declining air quality, which increases the death rate for all diseases, and becomes fertile ground for pandemics. It just so happens that this can be seen throughout history. However, I will agree that the increasing human population is making it more difficult for all creatures to live well.
I think best bet is not to live in damp humid weather, but warm and salty or up high in mountain somewhere offthe grid.. cold weather in general aggravates breathing problems. And pollution take it to many folds higher. I'm contemplating not to buy or stay in the place I'm working for longer, cause the weather is damp and cold all round the year. I have observed my body is developing one symptom or the other over time.
Weather can have a significant impact on how air pollution is naturally mediated. I find my health is better when the ambient air temperature is 50-75F with humidity at about 90%. And, being by the ocean, and far from pollution sources, such as major cities.
This year I moved from Prescott, AZ, which is only 50 air miles north of Phoenix, a major pollution source. I found in the last 10 years that being only 50 miles and downwind of a pollution source was too close.
So, I moved to Flagstaff, a relatively high altitude city (7,000ft) and another 50 air miles north, and found significantly improved health. But, Flagstaff is at the conjunction of 2 major highways and a major rail line, so it has too much air pollution for me on a normal basis, so I moved 25 miles away into the forest, where most of the time I have much better health. However, there are still regional wildfires raging, which is bringing some smoke to this region, and to me in my remote location.
The long term solution is to invest in air purifiers and to understand how they work. Sadly, it is clear to me that the air purifier manufacturers do not have a full understanding of air purifier technology, but we can correct for their limited understanding with greater understanding.
1) HEPA filters are great at removing the PM2.5 particulate, as long as it is properly sized for the space, and the windows and doors are closed; however, they only solve 25% of the problem. If we add an activated charcoal pre-filter, then we get 50% effectiveness. If we live in a dry place, then we should add a humidifier. If we live in a humid place, then skip the humidifier and add a dehumidifier. It should be noted that air conditioning is a dehumidifier, so in hot humid weather your air conditioner can help.
Salt also mediates for some components of air pollution, which is partly why living by the ocean can help. But, if we cannot just up and move to the sea side, then we can add salt to the humidifier water for the same effect. I have also found that the water in the humidifier should be distilled, or otherwise we are inhaling the dissolved solids in tap water. I have also found the humidifier should never run out of water, and works best if the water is replaced when the reservoir is half full. The reason for this is because the water absorbs ammonia, NOX and SOX, which are components of air pollution, so the water in the humidifier needs to be replaced every 8-12 hours of use.
Some how meditation which reduces the breath, happens to aggravate my symptoms more. Its unfortunate I'm unable to meditate at all. I hope to recover soon possibly shift to some better place so that I can continue my pursuit of spirituality further.
So, I find if we mediate for air pollution we can enjoy better health, and thus better meditations, when our body is not holding us back with chronic autoimmune conditions. So, if you can't move, then buying an air purifier might help improve your health which can improve your meditations.
Hey Alex. I'm relatively better, but I have seen my health declining consistently over past 5-6 years. I don't knw the reason, I never had any breathing issues up until last year, suddenly that one got added to the list too.
So, it is the 11 year global el Nina weather cycle which had produced record wildfires for the last 3 years. The el Nina is over and the deserts of the world are starting to receive more rain, so the wildfires are being put out by rain, so global respiratory health should improve, but investing in an air purifier can help you make it through the next la Nina cycle.
So I think this environmental factor is having much impact on meditators more. Maybe cause of the nature of how meditation is, sendatry haha. I'm not sure yet, but everyone else seems to be doing "ok".
I think you are onto something here, Naman, but I think it is more about people who meditate deeply tend to be more sensitive, and thus exhibit more allergies, so we may all find improved meditations with an air purifier.
