Day 4 - Ayurvedic Journey
“To keep the body in good health is a duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. Water surrounds the lotus flower, but does not wet its petals.”
Set an intention (Sankalpa)
for a more mindful journey.
There is a word in Sanskrit called Sankalpa. This word means resolution or intention. When we are ready and willing to take a more mindful approach to our life, we can set an intention during our daily prayer or meditation. Once you set your intention, you will need to nourish it - like a plant - it will need care to grow . This is your daily practice.
YOU ARE UNIQUE, SO WHY BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?
Oscar Wilde said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
As we look at society today, we can see much imitation. Are we stuck in mediocracy, longing for greatness?
We often are innocently absorbing the habits, styles and food trends that promise greatness. We even repeat similar phrases to convey our position or purpose. We are drawn to people who resemble or represent what we long for or believe we deserve. Not to say that any of these are wrong, but it is important that we explore the ‘why’ behind our decisions and consider why we imitate certain behaviors.
Today’s marketing campaigns promise greatness; steering us to eat, dress and purchase so we look happy and successful. The messages we receive promise an elevated life. We are promised greatness or at least promised that if we amass enough stuff, we can look the part - even if we are unhappy, unhealthy, in debt and lost.
We long for fulfillment and belonging. We all long for purpose, but our true self is not found in things/stuff. I know you have heard this before - all you need is right inside of you.
Maybe you feel okay and pretty good about your life for the most part and yet you notice a deep longing to come into your full truth and total authenticity.
Ayurveda leads us to the path of our genuine self gently.
It’s a process and it will require a commitment to daily nourishment. Not to disappoint you. I know we are a culture of the instantaneous results, but ancient wisdom calls us to the daily practice of being present, nourishing ourselves with self care routines and spending time with the divine God and earth.
What so many of us do seek is a return to (or a turning towards) our true self and life purpose. Some may say a return to ‘our life calling’ or ‘God’s will for our life.’ No matter what you call it, it is that knowing you have deep in yourself when you are still. That inner pull that so many of us ignore because it is too complicated or scary to go there.
Ayurveda is a lifestyle that gently brings us towards our truth and from this place, we can live a more liberated life. There are no promises of greatness or a life without problems. However, when troubles come, we are rooted and are able to make it through the storms from a position of calm and strength.
RETURN TO YOUR NATURAL SELF
The solution to our health problems and our heartache (loneliness, depression, etc.) is a return to oneness with the universe and the Divine within. This requires changing how we live, think, and perceive. The four primary levels of healing are: (1) disease treatment, (2) disease prevention, (3) life enhancement, (4) awareness development.
Ayurveda aims at more than health, avoiding disease, and living longer. Awareness development requires a spiritual approach to live, including meditation and prayer. It is not enough to prolong our lives. The quality of our awareness is the real fruit of all that we do. Our awareness (spirit self) is the only thing that we can take with us when we die. It can continue growing as the body and mind decline. (Ayurveda and the Mind, Dr. Frawley).
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. James 3
Let’s explore some Ayurveda wisdom about the true self.
1. Prakrti is one’s individual body constitution
Ayurveda teaches that each us of is born with a unique constitutional balance. This is known as our prakruti. Prakruti is determined by our parents’ nature, as well as the circumstances of our birth. Our mother’s emotional and physical state, the season, and location of our birthplace are all determining factors in our prakruti.
Prakruti is our inner nature, while vikruti is our imbalanced current state. Vikriti are changes in the body from internal or external factors.
Genetic factors, bad food combining, repressed emotions, weak tissue and organ systems all contribute to our vikruti. Prakruti is our inner nature, while vikruti is our imbalanced current state. We consider both prakruti and vikruti in an Ayurvedic assessment.
“In the beginning, at the time of conception… the constitution (prakrti) of a living being is formed. Prakrti is like the poison of the poisonous creatures (which does not cause them any harm). . . “ says the ancient books of Ayurveda.
There are many scriptures in different ancient teachings that support the concept of prakruti.
Isaiah 44:2 “This is what the LORD says- he who made you, who formed you in the womb , and who will help you. . .” says the ancient Jewish scriptures
Our prakruti - true inner nature - is determined by identifying our constitution (that which we were born with) through \the three doshas/constitutions: vata, pitta, and kapha (more on that coming soon). We first need to understand what a balanced self looks like to know how to correct areas of imbalance or dis-ease.
2. Self love and spiritual growth
Ayurveda teaches that we are all growing, learning and evolving, and that by understanding our nature, we can evolve faster and learn to appreciate ourselves and others – for each of us is unique. Self love, non-judgment, compassion and unconditional love are the foundation of all spiritual growth.
We are all unique, and while there are three basic energies, we are all a unique combination, and no two people have ever been created alike. By understanding our constitution we can choose proper foods to support us, as well as the appropriate colors, aromas, and sounds to surround ourselves with.
Ayurveda teaches that each person has the capacity for perfect health and peace of mind. The journey to achieve this is one that begins with self understanding. With this knowledge and the support of a teacher or practitioner, each person can begin to create a lifestyle that creates harmony within. (See, What is Your Constitution)
3. Ayurveda’s concept “prakriti” is about having genetically determined characteristics like appearance, temperament and habits. The concept is claimed to be useful in predicting an individual’s susceptibility to a particular disease, prognosis of that illness and selection of therapy. The prakruti is viewed as a unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics that affect the way each person functions.
There are three separate single dosa predominant doshas/constitutions: vata, pitta, and kapha.
4. We are all unique - one of a kind!
Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, each person has a particular pattern of energy—an individual combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics—which comprises their own constitution. (See, Dr. Vasant Lad’s, Ayurveda: A Brief Introduction). Considering the bodily constitution, pathological history, the Doshas, lifestyle and environmental conditions in an individual's routine, Ayurveda has many treatment strategies for promoting well-being to individuals. (A glimpse of Ayurveda).
5. Ayurveda increases our freedom.
True Freedom is the ability to focus the mind, to connect and align with Atman (real self) and God/Divine and the Universal Prana, for Health. The power of attention and making proper judgments is critical. In Ayurveda and Yoga, the true self of an individual is called the Atman in Ayurveda. Self-realization is that one’s true self is fully realized through and in the ultimate reality (God/Divine).
BELLY Breath; Posture of Prayer
Today is the last day of belly breath.
Try this posture of surrender and prayer. If this is comfortable for you, you may want to use this time to set your intention (see top of today’s article).
If you have every practiced Yin Yoga, you will find this similar to a half frog posture.
Lay on your stomach. Place blankets under your belly and legs.
Make yourself comfortable.
Place your head on your hands or on a rolled up blanket or small pillow.
Bend your right knee and bring your right foot to the inside of your left thigh.
Spend up to 10 full breaths (inhale + exhale = one full breath). Count up to 5 for inhale and 6 for exhale.
Switch to the other side.
