When we examine these six stages closely we see that we create dharmic dis-ease when we ignore our calling in exchange for the mechanics of survival. What is underlying all of this is the symptom of doubt. Just like there are clear biological symptoms in the doshic process that cause the movement from ease to chronicity, the clear symptom of doubt has the same affect on the spiritual pursuit of dharma. We have been brainwashed into believing that we cannot, should not and will not be able to live in this material existence as we are meant to but rather allow doubt to keep us trapped from being our fullest and true selves. Much like the concept of ‘maya’ as per the koshas, the symptom of doubt keeps us in the illusion that we can never possibly be who we truly are and do what we are truly meant to do as inspired by the universe and the divine creator. This is untrue.
When we first hear the calling of dharma but choose doubt, the stages of dis-ease unfold in the following fashion -
Stage 1: Accumulation – Dharma calls and consciousness increases. Doubt appears.
Stage 2: Aggravation – Doubt is chosen, dharma ignored.
Stage 3: Overflow – Doubt vitiates dharma and disturbance in the flow of ‘life’ occurs.
Stage 4: Relocation – Dharma finds a new home in consciousness in which to live.
Stage 5: Manifestation – Dharma takes up the sword to battle with doubt for survival.
Stage 6: Diversification – Dharma either succeeds or succumbs to doubt permanently.
The purpose of sadhana is to help us address the symptom of doubt at the earliest of stages. Depending on age, environment, climate and like conditions that resemble that of the doshas, we may or may not be successful. So, what can we do to help us on the battlefield?
Georg Feuerstein wrote in 2008 a piece called The Seven Steps of Psychospiritual Maturation* that provides us with a framework for helping us when the symptom of doubt occurs on the path of dharmic pursuit.
The steps of the process are –
Step 1: Self-observation – we must become mindful of what is happening in our own body-mind – our sensations, feelings, thoughts, volitions – as well as our interaction with the world, particularly other beings. Thus, in terms of our moral life, we must cultivate self-observation in order to become fully aware of our effect on others so as not to unwittingly increase their suffering.
Step 2: Self-acceptance – instead of indulging in guilt or shame for what is a natural limitation, we must make peace with ourselves. Guilt and shame are appropriate responses only under certain circumstances, such as when we indulge in undesirable behavior. Self-acceptance is a non-judgmental attitude toward what we or others perceive as our flaws. We must always practice self-acceptance but always against the backdrop of the highest task of self-transformation.
Step 3: Self-understanding – based on the first two, we must analyze ourselves to expose deeper, often unconscious, layers of our personality, especially those factors that are responsible for our automatic self-limitation.
Step 4: Self-discipline – in order to remove self-limitation and tap more and more into our full potential as human beings, we must embark on a process of consistent self-discipline. This consists primarily in the cultivation of positive mental states and habits.
Step 5: Self-actualization – the preceding practices free up our energy and attention, which then allows us to express more and more of our individual potential notably creativity, intuition, higher psychophysical capacities, ecstatic states of mind, but importantly ennobling feelings such as love and compassion.
Step 6: Self-transcendence – while fully expressing ourselves as individuals we also must cultivate our innate ability to go beyond who we appear to be to ourselves and others. That is to say that we must commit to consistently overcoming the ego ‘contraction.’
Step 7: Self-transformation – as self-actualized beings for whom self-transcendence is a virtue and a daily actuality, we become capable of deeply reshaping ourselves to realize our full spiritual potential.
If we use these tools within and outside of sanga (spiritual community) then the symptom of doubt becomes more easily identifiable and we can not only understand the maya that keeps us trapped in fear and doubt but we can mitigate the progression of dis-ease at an earlier stage so we prevent full manifestation and ultimate chronicity.
Addressing the symptom of doubt is really what the spiritual journey toward dharmic living and ultimate transcendence is really about. We cannot address doubt when we are in a vata-deranged, pitta-inflamed, kapha-infused state – those parallel the states of fear, anger and depression – they lack clarity and wholeness – they are not positive and safe places to make informed decisions. What we need is to address the symptom of doubt in a supported space with others on the journey that can assist in providing an energetic force-field around us that constantly reflects back what we desire to put into the world as part of our fullest, most dharmic and enlightened selves.
*Feuerstein. Georg. Yoga Philosophy: A Manual for Teacher Trainings. Traditional Yoga Studies. 2008.The Six Stages of Dharmic Disease
What happens when we don't live dharmically? Dis-ease.
The Ayurvedic stages of dis-ease have a relationship with our spiritual pursuit of dharma. To be clear, dharma is not your job – it is beyond that. Dharma is the true self and its full manifestation on this earth – it is not a nine to five but beyond that.
When we examine these six stages closely we see that we create dharmic dis-ease when we ignore our calling in exchange for the mechanics of survival. What is underlying all of this is the symptom of doubt. Just like there are clear biological symptoms in the doshic process that cause the movement from ease to chronicity, the clear symptom of doubt has the same affect on the spiritual pursuit of dharma. We have been brainwashed into believing that we cannot, should not and will not be able to live in this material existence as we are meant to but rather allow doubt to keep us trapped from being our fullest and true selves. Much like the concept of ‘maya’ as per the koshas, the symptom of doubt keeps us in the illusion that we can never possibly be who we truly are and do what we are truly meant to do as inspired by the universe and the divine creator. This is untrue.
When we first hear the calling of dharma but choose doubt, the stages of dis-ease unfold in the following fashion -
Stage 1: Accumulation – Dharma calls and consciousness increases. Doubt appears.
Stage 2: Aggravation – Doubt is chosen, dharma ignored.
Stage 3: Overflow – Doubt vitiates dharma and disturbance in the flow of ‘life’ occurs.
Stage 4: Relocation – Dharma finds a new home in consciousness in which to live.
Stage 5: Manifestation – Dharma takes up the sword to battle with doubt for survival.
Stage 6: Diversification – Dharma either succeeds or succumbs to doubt permanently.
The purpose of sadhana is to help us address the symptom of doubt at the earliest of stages. Depending on age, environment, climate and like conditions that resemble that of the doshas, we may or may not be successful. So, what can we do to help us on the battlefield?
Georg Feuerstein wrote in 2008 a piece called The Seven Steps of Psychospiritual Maturation* that provides us with a framework for helping us when the symptom of doubt occurs on the path of dharmic pursuit.
The steps of the process are –
Step 1: Self-observation – we must become mindful of what is happening in our own body-mind – our sensations, feelings, thoughts, volitions – as well as our interaction with the world, particularly other beings. Thus, in terms of our moral life, we must cultivate self-observation in order to become fully aware of our effect on others so as not to unwittingly increase their suffering.
Step 2: Self-acceptance – instead of indulging in guilt or shame for what is a natural limitation, we must make peace with ourselves. Guilt and shame are appropriate responses only under certain circumstances, such as when we indulge in undesirable behavior. Self-acceptance is a non-judgmental attitude toward what we or others perceive as our flaws. We must always practice self-acceptance but always against the backdrop of the highest task of self-transformation.
Step 3: Self-understanding – based on the first two, we must analyze ourselves to expose deeper, often unconscious, layers of our personality, especially those factors that are responsible for our automatic self-limitation.
Step 4: Self-discipline – in order to remove self-limitation and tap more and more into our full potential as human beings, we must embark on a process of consistent self-discipline. This consists primarily in the cultivation of positive mental states and habits.
Step 5: Self-actualization – the preceding practices free up our energy and attention, which then allows us to express more and more of our individual potential notably creativity, intuition, higher psychophysical capacities, ecstatic states of mind, but importantly ennobling feelings such as love and compassion.
Step 6: Self-transcendence – while fully expressing ourselves as individuals we also must cultivate our innate ability to go beyond who we appear to be to ourselves and others. That is to say that we must commit to consistently overcoming the ego ‘contraction.’
Step 7: Self-transformation – as self-actualized beings for whom self-transcendence is a virtue and a daily actuality, we become capable of deeply reshaping ourselves to realize our full spiritual potential.
If we use these tools within and outside of sanga (spiritual community) then the symptom of doubt becomes more easily identifiable and we can not only understand the maya that keeps us trapped in fear and doubt but we can mitigate the progression of dis-ease at an earlier stage so we prevent full manifestation and ultimate chronicity.
Addressing the symptom of doubt is really what the spiritual journey toward dharmic living and ultimate transcendence is really about. We cannot address doubt when we are in a vata-deranged, pitta-inflamed, kapha-infused state – those parallel the states of fear, anger and depression – they lack clarity and wholeness – they are not positive and safe places to make informed decisions. What we need is to address the symptom of doubt in a supported space with others on the journey that can assist in providing an energetic force-field around us that constantly reflects back what we desire to put into the world as part of our fullest, most dharmic and enlightened selves.
*Feuerstein. Georg. Yoga Philosophy: A Manual for Teacher Trainings. Traditional Yoga Studies. 2008.
When we examine these six stages closely we see that we create dharmic dis-ease when we ignore our calling in exchange for the mechanics of survival. What is underlying all of this is the symptom of doubt. Just like there are clear biological symptoms in the doshic process that cause the movement from ease to chronicity, the clear symptom of doubt has the same affect on the spiritual pursuit of dharma. We have been brainwashed into believing that we cannot, should not and will not be able to live in this material existence as we are meant to but rather allow doubt to keep us trapped from being our fullest and true selves. Much like the concept of ‘maya’ as per the koshas, the symptom of doubt keeps us in the illusion that we can never possibly be who we truly are and do what we are truly meant to do as inspired by the universe and the divine creator. This is untrue.
When we first hear the calling of dharma but choose doubt, the stages of dis-ease unfold in the following fashion -
Stage 1: Accumulation – Dharma calls and consciousness increases. Doubt appears.
Stage 2: Aggravation – Doubt is chosen, dharma ignored.
Stage 3: Overflow – Doubt vitiates dharma and disturbance in the flow of ‘life’ occurs.
Stage 4: Relocation – Dharma finds a new home in consciousness in which to live.
Stage 5: Manifestation – Dharma takes up the sword to battle with doubt for survival.
Stage 6: Diversification – Dharma either succeeds or succumbs to doubt permanently.
The purpose of sadhana is to help us address the symptom of doubt at the earliest of stages. Depending on age, environment, climate and like conditions that resemble that of the doshas, we may or may not be successful. So, what can we do to help us on the battlefield?
Georg Feuerstein wrote in 2008 a piece called The Seven Steps of Psychospiritual Maturation* that provides us with a framework for helping us when the symptom of doubt occurs on the path of dharmic pursuit.
The steps of the process are –
Step 1: Self-observation – we must become mindful of what is happening in our own body-mind – our sensations, feelings, thoughts, volitions – as well as our interaction with the world, particularly other beings. Thus, in terms of our moral life, we must cultivate self-observation in order to become fully aware of our effect on others so as not to unwittingly increase their suffering.
Step 2: Self-acceptance – instead of indulging in guilt or shame for what is a natural limitation, we must make peace with ourselves. Guilt and shame are appropriate responses only under certain circumstances, such as when we indulge in undesirable behavior. Self-acceptance is a non-judgmental attitude toward what we or others perceive as our flaws. We must always practice self-acceptance but always against the backdrop of the highest task of self-transformation.
Step 3: Self-understanding – based on the first two, we must analyze ourselves to expose deeper, often unconscious, layers of our personality, especially those factors that are responsible for our automatic self-limitation.
Step 4: Self-discipline – in order to remove self-limitation and tap more and more into our full potential as human beings, we must embark on a process of consistent self-discipline. This consists primarily in the cultivation of positive mental states and habits.
Step 5: Self-actualization – the preceding practices free up our energy and attention, which then allows us to express more and more of our individual potential notably creativity, intuition, higher psychophysical capacities, ecstatic states of mind, but importantly ennobling feelings such as love and compassion.
Step 6: Self-transcendence – while fully expressing ourselves as individuals we also must cultivate our innate ability to go beyond who we appear to be to ourselves and others. That is to say that we must commit to consistently overcoming the ego ‘contraction.’
Step 7: Self-transformation – as self-actualized beings for whom self-transcendence is a virtue and a daily actuality, we become capable of deeply reshaping ourselves to realize our full spiritual potential.
If we use these tools within and outside of sanga (spiritual community) then the symptom of doubt becomes more easily identifiable and we can not only understand the maya that keeps us trapped in fear and doubt but we can mitigate the progression of dis-ease at an earlier stage so we prevent full manifestation and ultimate chronicity.
Addressing the symptom of doubt is really what the spiritual journey toward dharmic living and ultimate transcendence is really about. We cannot address doubt when we are in a vata-deranged, pitta-inflamed, kapha-infused state – those parallel the states of fear, anger and depression – they lack clarity and wholeness – they are not positive and safe places to make informed decisions. What we need is to address the symptom of doubt in a supported space with others on the journey that can assist in providing an energetic force-field around us that constantly reflects back what we desire to put into the world as part of our fullest, most dharmic and enlightened selves.
*Feuerstein. Georg. Yoga Philosophy: A Manual for Teacher Trainings. Traditional Yoga Studies. 2008.Transformation
STANDARD DEFINITION: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.
PHYSICS: a metamorphosis during the life cycle of an animal; the induced or spontaneous change of one element into another by a nuclear process.
MATHEMATICS•LOGIC: the induced or spontaneous change of one element into another by a nuclear process.
LINGUISTICS: a process by which one figure, expression, or function is converted into another that is equivalent in some important respect but is differently expressed or represented.
BIOLOGY: a process by which an element in the underlying deep structure of a sentence is converted to an element in the surface structure.
Transformation is a through process. It is unknown. It is hard. It is fire. It is uncomfortable. It is Tapas. It is freedom. It puts us face-to-face with the three key questions of life:
Who Am I?
What Is My Dharma?
How Do I Transcend?
It is not short-term and it requires a great deal of effort. In today’s climate it forces such thoughts and musings as:
What if I don’t recover?
What will the world look like?
What is “normal?”
What is the “new normal?”
Will I ever be in community again?
The condition of the world currently has thrust upon us questions and work we have likely been avoiding all out lives regardless of whether or not its part of the plan. It’s easier to not be engaged. It’s easier to not sit with ourselves. It’s easier to eat and drink ourselves to death. It’s easier to shop online. It’s easier to not engage. It’s easier to make excuses.
It’s hard to transform. AND....it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.
Transformation is a through process. It is unknown. It is hard. It is fire. It is uncomfortable. It is Tapas. It is freedom. It puts us face-to-face with the three key questions of life:
Who Am I?
What Is My Dharma?
How Do I Transcend?
It is not short-term and it requires a great deal of effort. In today’s climate it forces such thoughts and musings as:
What if I don’t recover?
What will the world look like?
What is “normal?”
What is the “new normal?”
Will I ever be in community again?
The condition of the world currently has thrust upon us questions and work we have likely been avoiding all out lives regardless of whether or not its part of the plan. It’s easier to not be engaged. It’s easier to not sit with ourselves. It’s easier to eat and drink ourselves to death. It’s easier to shop online. It’s easier to not engage. It’s easier to make excuses.
It’s hard to transform. AND....it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.What’s the Endgame here?
When we step back and look at all that is happening in the world at once it can be dizzying.
We have insufficient and incompetent leadership, corruption at an all-time high, an environment that is transforming before our eyes due to human recklessness and a pandemic that has brought to the forefront a shining reality that all of us are expendable. In an instant.
Ayurveda discusses health and healing in the Charaka Samhita as:
“Any condition that restores the mind, body and spirit to their naturally balanced states.”
And then continues by saying:
“Any treatment that attends only to the symptoms is not a good therapy. The best treatment is one that balances the whole and does not create other disorders.”
That’s loaded. Simple. But loaded. Especially in times like these.
Disorder is everywhere around us in this moment. Maybe the highest it has ever been.
I was having a discussion both in person and over text messaging the other day with a few students that are currently participating in a seasonal Ayurvedic cleanse with me and the question came up about the state of health and wellness in our country with the direct and wonderful question - What is the endgame here?
We all agreed that the posed question was a much larger conversation for sure and that it needed the respect of more time to process, filter, research and express a myriad of thoughts and ideas.
The topic that spurred this engaging question was the current push by Bill Gates and his team of wealthy and influential payroll recipients on vaccinating/immunizing the world. I want to be clear and direct that the purpose of this blog is not to promote views that are pro-vaccinations or anti-vaccinations but rather to look at it from a larger perspective - the relationship between our health and control.
Those of you that know me know where I stand personally on the topic of vaccination-immunization but again, I want to examine what is behind this beyond the surface discussion that is being presented which is only keeping us distracted from what is really happening in our world and what is preventing us from returning to the Charaka and Ayurvedic definitions of health.
Disease exists or rather, dis-ease exists, in many forms. My student reflected on the idea of vaccinations-immunizations developed to prevent the once-deadly spreading of such things as small pox, measles and polio. Was that not a good thing she asked? I answered: Maybe. Maybe not.
If we are looking at it from the perspective of preserving the body then maybe your answer is yes. But, if you are looking at it from the angle of control of one group over another then maybe not. We do have to remember how and who those diseases were introduced into our populations. Was this a form of control? Hmm. We also have to examine the technology and scientific research that is now being poured into all things dis-ease and its tie to big money and those that have it and wield it.
Native Americans and many indigenous populations treated their people with natural herbalism and the like - things that came from the natural environment. Yes, people died - no doubt. AND, if you look at that from a yogic and Ayurvedic view this is what kept population control and a cap on things like greed and environmental distraction. I realize that this is not a popular talking point but it is a reality nonetheless and an expression I have heard from many people in recent weeks. We are so attached to the material body that we will do anything, at any cost, to save it. Including giving over our power to demagogues with money. What exactly are we trying to save and for what? To continue to hoard wealth and power? To what end?
Krishna talks to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita about the investment in the body by saying in summary that the body is going to die - that is a guarantee. Your soul however will live on and that's the important part - the part we should be cultivating in this life.
The whole point of this material existence is to burn off our karma by doing our dharma so we can go back home. Instead, what happens is that we are pulled away by the senses and the three modes of material nature and get stuck in believing we are that. That is what is happening right now. We believe in the body so much that we are willing to hand over our mental, emotional and spiritual existence to someone that we would never listen to in the first place had they not acquired huge sums of wealth to get a seat at the political decision-making table. What then does this lead to? It leads to the destruction of the environment and no natural controls or checks and balances on the flow of things. It leads to investment in things that don’t matter. It leads to control of individual bodies and minds (something women have been dealing with for decades). It leads to the cultivation of fear. It leads to hate and discrimination. It leads to increased anxiety. It leads to having no control over what you do with your own life in this material existence. It leads to not living your dharma. It leads to subjugation. It leads to fascism. The list is endless...
Whether it is Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Hilary Clinton, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, etc. is actually irrelevant. What is relevant however is the future of dis-ease in our world because we handed over our power to those with material wealth and snubbed that which is the natural order of things.
We are at a crossroads. How are we going to show up? How are we going to be? As the great yogic scriptures say, only Kala will tell. Isn't that interesting?
Jai Bhagwan!
Disorder is everywhere around us in this moment. Maybe the highest it has ever been.
I was having a discussion both in person and over text messaging the other day with a few students that are currently participating in a seasonal Ayurvedic cleanse with me and the question came up about the state of health and wellness in our country with the direct and wonderful question - What is the endgame here?
We all agreed that the posed question was a much larger conversation for sure and that it needed the respect of more time to process, filter, research and express a myriad of thoughts and ideas.
The topic that spurred this engaging question was the current push by Bill Gates and his team of wealthy and influential payroll recipients on vaccinating/immunizing the world. I want to be clear and direct that the purpose of this blog is not to promote views that are pro-vaccinations or anti-vaccinations but rather to look at it from a larger perspective - the relationship between our health and control.
Those of you that know me know where I stand personally on the topic of vaccination-immunization but again, I want to examine what is behind this beyond the surface discussion that is being presented which is only keeping us distracted from what is really happening in our world and what is preventing us from returning to the Charaka and Ayurvedic definitions of health.
Disease exists or rather, dis-ease exists, in many forms. My student reflected on the idea of vaccinations-immunizations developed to prevent the once-deadly spreading of such things as small pox, measles and polio. Was that not a good thing she asked? I answered: Maybe. Maybe not.
If we are looking at it from the perspective of preserving the body then maybe your answer is yes. But, if you are looking at it from the angle of control of one group over another then maybe not. We do have to remember how and who those diseases were introduced into our populations. Was this a form of control? Hmm. We also have to examine the technology and scientific research that is now being poured into all things dis-ease and its tie to big money and those that have it and wield it.
Native Americans and many indigenous populations treated their people with natural herbalism and the like - things that came from the natural environment. Yes, people died - no doubt. AND, if you look at that from a yogic and Ayurvedic view this is what kept population control and a cap on things like greed and environmental distraction. I realize that this is not a popular talking point but it is a reality nonetheless and an expression I have heard from many people in recent weeks. We are so attached to the material body that we will do anything, at any cost, to save it. Including giving over our power to demagogues with money. What exactly are we trying to save and for what? To continue to hoard wealth and power? To what end?
Krishna talks to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita about the investment in the body by saying in summary that the body is going to die - that is a guarantee. Your soul however will live on and that's the important part - the part we should be cultivating in this life.
The whole point of this material existence is to burn off our karma by doing our dharma so we can go back home. Instead, what happens is that we are pulled away by the senses and the three modes of material nature and get stuck in believing we are that. That is what is happening right now. We believe in the body so much that we are willing to hand over our mental, emotional and spiritual existence to someone that we would never listen to in the first place had they not acquired huge sums of wealth to get a seat at the political decision-making table. What then does this lead to? It leads to the destruction of the environment and no natural controls or checks and balances on the flow of things. It leads to investment in things that don’t matter. It leads to control of individual bodies and minds (something women have been dealing with for decades). It leads to the cultivation of fear. It leads to hate and discrimination. It leads to increased anxiety. It leads to having no control over what you do with your own life in this material existence. It leads to not living your dharma. It leads to subjugation. It leads to fascism. The list is endless...
Whether it is Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Hilary Clinton, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, etc. is actually irrelevant. What is relevant however is the future of dis-ease in our world because we handed over our power to those with material wealth and snubbed that which is the natural order of things.
We are at a crossroads. How are we going to show up? How are we going to be? As the great yogic scriptures say, only Kala will tell. Isn't that interesting?
Jai Bhagwan!Vata Pacifying & Immune Boosting Beets - Underground Ayurveda Kitchen
Baked Red Beets
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 large red beet
Fresh thyme (6 -10 individual sprigs)
Coconut or olive oil (1/8 cup max)
Himalayan Salt
Pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Place baking sheet in pan and coat with coconut or olive oil
Wash the beet
Trim away leaves and slice off top and bottom to create flat surface.
Peel the beet.
Square the beet by slicing off edges.
Begin to cut ¼” sections, and then again, eventually cubing all pieces.
Place cubes in bowl and drizzle with coconut or olive oil
Strip thyme from stem, chop coarsely, and sprinkle over the beet cubes.
Add salt and pepper to taste (not too much)
Mix all together.
Empty the beet onto the baking sheet, spreading out the cubes.
Cook for 10 – 12 minutes
Remove from oven and serve with basmati rice.
The People Come First
More than two hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “We must all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately”
Today, we have a crisis in America. It has less to do with the Coronavirus and more to do with the neglect of our elected officials to serve the public and the brazen greed of CEO’s in corporate America. Since elected officials take an oath to serve and protect the public, it is worthwhile to remind them of the seriousness of this oath. The oath is not to serve and protect their own personal ego, the one percent, their fraternity brother or sorority sister or their family. Their oath is to protect all people residing within and under the Nation. 
The US Government’s response (or dare I say lack of response) to the Coronavirus represents the most recent example of a dysfunctional approach and disregard to securing and supporting the general public’s wellbeing in the United States. Democratic government exists to support the people, all people, against the vicissitudes of unexpected events, challenges to inalienable rights, corporate excess and the market economy. In times of extreme threats and in times of normalcy a responsible and ethical approach requires elected officials commit through words and deeds to support all people with the necessary resources to weather slowdowns, shutdowns and the upheaval of an economic system that is incapable of adjusting equitably and soundly to the needs of all.
Unfortunately, there exists a level of avarice and entitlement of elected officials and CEO's that is nothing less than publicly sanctioned robbery. The behavior on the part of elected officials and CEO's is even more repugnant given their boldness in justifying they deserve it and the secrecy in maintaining the separate and unequal benefits they approve for themselves. Freedom and security begin at home with the people. Let us take responsibility for our families, neighbors, citizens and fellow humans and agree that everyone deserves health care, organic food, sound shelter, effective education, suitable clothing, inclusive transportation and a living wage. Then we act to build a strong and sustainable foundation that enfranchises all people. Herein lies freedom and security and a worthy rallying point for “hanging together.”
Right now, the majority of us living in US are feeling the impact carrying out basic functions amid uncertainty of how to buy food, pay rent or mortgages, deal with illness and make credit card or loan payments and a host of other issues. Decisions made with regard to and the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic have resulted in people being sent home without pay, reduced pay, lost jobs and customers, school closure and shortages of food and supplies emphasize the importance in shoring up the economic and social fabric of society. The response from Congress and the President has been to dither and ignore the immediacy of reducing stress and ensure all people are supported during the crisis.
There has been a longstanding tradition within the maritime sector that “the Captain is the last one off,” having made sure that all passengers and crew have been safely disembarked in times of emergency and normalcy as well. Elected officials are the captains on land. Their positional authority comes with responsibility to the public they swore to serve, the public at large.
1. Agree: Issue a $2,000 check per person, per month, beginning March 1, 2020, until the crisis has abated and a sense of normalcy has returned.
2. Agree: Make suitable funds (for food, shelter, health care, clothing, education and transportation) available to anyone homeless, in a shelter or undocumented in the country until the crisis has abated and a sense of normalcy has returned.
3. Agree: Make health care available to all during this time of need free of charge.
4. Agree: Stop any effort to charge interest on debt or foreclose on someone’s home or vehicle or any other possession until the crisis has abated and a sense of normalcy has returned.
5. Agree: No elected official deserves to receive any compensation or services greater than that provided to each and every member of the public.
6. Agree: Elected officials receive pay and services last, after the people have been served and compensated appropriately.
7. Agree: Elected officials must have all wages, salary and benefits packages agreed to by the people they have sworn to serve.
8. Agree: No corporate bailouts. All funds go directly to the people.
It is imperative that we stand up and demand action from our elected officials. Sign this petition, protest, write, call, make yourself heard and express your frustration and disdain in the way our government officials put themselves or a few of their funders and peers first. The time for change is NOW! The People Come First!
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation ….”
Among the most egregious causes today are inequality, classism, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, joblessness, homelessness, the un- and underinsured, impoverishment and disenfranchisement.
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely effect their Safety and Happiness … it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Pull it together Congress, Mr. President, Governors and Legislators.
SIGN THE PETITION!
The US Government’s response (or dare I say lack of response) to the Coronavirus represents the most recent example of a dysfunctional approach and disregard to securing and supporting the general public’s wellbeing in the United States. Democratic government exists to support the people, all people, against the vicissitudes of unexpected events, challenges to inalienable rights, corporate excess and the market economy. In times of extreme threats and in times of normalcy a responsible and ethical approach requires elected officials commit through words and deeds to support all people with the necessary resources to weather slowdowns, shutdowns and the upheaval of an economic system that is incapable of adjusting equitably and soundly to the needs of all.
Unfortunately, there exists a level of avarice and entitlement of elected officials and CEO's that is nothing less than publicly sanctioned robbery. The behavior on the part of elected officials and CEO's is even more repugnant given their boldness in justifying they deserve it and the secrecy in maintaining the separate and unequal benefits they approve for themselves. Freedom and security begin at home with the people. Let us take responsibility for our families, neighbors, citizens and fellow humans and agree that everyone deserves health care, organic food, sound shelter, effective education, suitable clothing, inclusive transportation and a living wage. Then we act to build a strong and sustainable foundation that enfranchises all people. Herein lies freedom and security and a worthy rallying point for “hanging together.”
Right now, the majority of us living in US are feeling the impact carrying out basic functions amid uncertainty of how to buy food, pay rent or mortgages, deal with illness and make credit card or loan payments and a host of other issues. Decisions made with regard to and the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic have resulted in people being sent home without pay, reduced pay, lost jobs and customers, school closure and shortages of food and supplies emphasize the importance in shoring up the economic and social fabric of society. The response from Congress and the President has been to dither and ignore the immediacy of reducing stress and ensure all people are supported during the crisis.
There has been a longstanding tradition within the maritime sector that “the Captain is the last one off,” having made sure that all passengers and crew have been safely disembarked in times of emergency and normalcy as well. Elected officials are the captains on land. Their positional authority comes with responsibility to the public they swore to serve, the public at large.
1. Agree: Issue a $2,000 check per person, per month, beginning March 1, 2020, until the crisis has abated and a sense of normalcy has returned.
2. Agree: Make suitable funds (for food, shelter, health care, clothing, education and transportation) available to anyone homeless, in a shelter or undocumented in the country until the crisis has abated and a sense of normalcy has returned.
3. Agree: Make health care available to all during this time of need free of charge.
4. Agree: Stop any effort to charge interest on debt or foreclose on someone’s home or vehicle or any other possession until the crisis has abated and a sense of normalcy has returned.
5. Agree: No elected official deserves to receive any compensation or services greater than that provided to each and every member of the public.
6. Agree: Elected officials receive pay and services last, after the people have been served and compensated appropriately.
7. Agree: Elected officials must have all wages, salary and benefits packages agreed to by the people they have sworn to serve.
8. Agree: No corporate bailouts. All funds go directly to the people.
It is imperative that we stand up and demand action from our elected officials. Sign this petition, protest, write, call, make yourself heard and express your frustration and disdain in the way our government officials put themselves or a few of their funders and peers first. The time for change is NOW! The People Come First!
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation ….”
Among the most egregious causes today are inequality, classism, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, joblessness, homelessness, the un- and underinsured, impoverishment and disenfranchisement.
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely effect their Safety and Happiness … it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Pull it together Congress, Mr. President, Governors and Legislators.
SIGN THE PETITION! The Responsible Course of Action
The US Government’s response to the Coronavirus represents the most recent example of a dysfunctional approach to securing and supporting public wellbeing in the United States. Yes, there has been a tepid response to ascertain how to stem the communicable nature and then treat the disease. In a way, these efforts alone are analogous to stopping the wind. A responsible approach from elected officials will commit through words and deeds that all people receive the necessary resources to weather slowdowns, shutdowns and the upheaval of an economic system that has led us to the place we are today. Simply embracing and promulgating a view of capitalism and money as God’s way has brought only despair and hardship to the masses and the destruction of the earth. Capitalism does nothing to support care, compassion and love and the awakening of divine thoughts and actions. Instead, it breeds greed, otherness and indifference. So long as the people allow for elected officials to pad their own pockets, turn away from the public they swore to serve and partake of services not afforded to the general population, there will be no change in a system that is clearly broken. To ensure freedom and security, the efforts begin at home. Let us take responsibility for our families, neighbors, citizens and fellow humans and agree that everyone deserves health care, organic food, sound shelter, effective education, suitable clothing and a living wage. Then we act to build a strong and sustainable foundation that enfranchises all people. Herein lies freedom and security.
Unfortunately, there is a level of avarice and entitlement of elected officials and CEO’s that is nothing less than publicly condoned robbery. This staggers the imagination that it has been allowed to exist for so long. This behavior on the part of elected officials and CEO’s is even more repugnant given their boldness in justifying they deserve it. No elected official deserves to have anything more than that provided to each and every member of the public. No CEO deserves to be paid more than ten times the amount of the lowest paid employee in their organization. There has been a longstanding saying within the maritime tradition that “the Captain is the last one off” having made sure that all passengers and crew have been safely disembarked. This is no different for elected officials and CEO’s who hold their positions. They swore to serve, and they hold their positions because of the multitudes who make that possible.
The message from the 1976 film, Network, is most poignant now. “I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change.” Coarsely put, “Wake the fuck up!“ Demand action from your elected officials and your boss. Protest, write, call, make yourself heard, make your disdain felt. Let me refresh your memory of the Declaration of Independence. “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation ….” Among the most egregious causes today are inequality, classism, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, jobless, homeless, un- and underinsured and impoverishment. The Declaration further states, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (albeit, I am making a case for conscious loving inspired attitudes and behavior), it is the right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely effect their Safety and Happiness … it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
So my message is this, “Elected officials and CEO’s, get it together, or the people will do it for you!”
Unfortunately, there is a level of avarice and entitlement of elected officials and CEO’s that is nothing less than publicly condoned robbery. This staggers the imagination that it has been allowed to exist for so long. This behavior on the part of elected officials and CEO’s is even more repugnant given their boldness in justifying they deserve it. No elected official deserves to have anything more than that provided to each and every member of the public. No CEO deserves to be paid more than ten times the amount of the lowest paid employee in their organization. There has been a longstanding saying within the maritime tradition that “the Captain is the last one off” having made sure that all passengers and crew have been safely disembarked. This is no different for elected officials and CEO’s who hold their positions. They swore to serve, and they hold their positions because of the multitudes who make that possible.
The message from the 1976 film, Network, is most poignant now. “I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change.” Coarsely put, “Wake the fuck up!“ Demand action from your elected officials and your boss. Protest, write, call, make yourself heard, make your disdain felt. Let me refresh your memory of the Declaration of Independence. “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation ….” Among the most egregious causes today are inequality, classism, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, jobless, homeless, un- and underinsured and impoverishment. The Declaration further states, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (albeit, I am making a case for conscious loving inspired attitudes and behavior), it is the right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely effect their Safety and Happiness … it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
So my message is this, “Elected officials and CEO’s, get it together, or the people will do it for you!”Fear & The Nervous System
Fear is a powerful emotional sensation - one that starts in the mind with grand and scary imagery that quickly drops us into the future of what ifs - never allowing us to be present or fully in our bodies.
These days, there is a lot of this sensation getting passed around. Whether it is fear of economic downfall, the next virus that may impact us, the results of an election or generalized anxiety due to an uncertain world, fear seems to grip us and hold on tight conjuring up images of permanent annihilation.
In the Yoga shastras the fear of bodily death is one of the five Kleshas known as Abinivesha. The word Klesha means “affliction” denoting that we are afflicted with conditions that do not allow us to understand that we are already Infinite, Eternal and Whole no matter what and that we are certainly not the physical body but rather, the spirit soul.
In some ways Abinivesha is a natural instinct - our desire to survive on a biological level. It has an intimate relationship to our sympathetic nervous system and the activation of the “fight or flight” response that is built into our human constitution. What causes us to fall into a state of panic and resulting dis-ease is feeling the sensation of fear and believing it to be our reality instead of a temporary situation that will certainly pass. It can also get intensified by collective fear that can be seen all around us in our communities. It is not to say that if we were being chased by a tiger that this is not a real experience - it is. However, in our current western culture of social media and television most of us are not getting chased by a real tiger in the street but rather by the one on the screen with very little consciousness surrounding it.
When we are experiencing the media tiger daily this has a tremendous impact on our central nervous system. From an Ayurvedic standpoint we call this resulting toxicity ama. Ama begins in the mind and travels throughout the body causing havoc on our nerves, muscles, joints, organs and systems resulting in a state of dis-ease. The endpoint is typically in the gut and that causes inflammation and a distortion in our ability to think clearly giving us a helping of brain fog. This brain fog is not just a by-product of our nervous system being taxed day in and day out but is also the beginning point of the cycle - the disbelief that we are always going to be ok no matter what - Infinite, Eternal and Whole.
The great Ayurvedic Vaidyas and Yoga Rishis developed practices to circumvent this process and resulting dis-ease that are available to us today. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system and use its intelligence to override the sympathetic nervous system’s dominance in our lives was their teachings, practices and goal. We can learn from these practices today and activate them right now. The best way to start? Turn off the TV and use social media in a limited fashion that is only positive and supportive. Get outside in nature, meditate daily, breathe, practice yoga asana and yoga nidra and surround yourself with positive people. Remove the ama.
Isn’t that interesting?
In the Yoga shastras the fear of bodily death is one of the five Kleshas known as Abinivesha. The word Klesha means “affliction” denoting that we are afflicted with conditions that do not allow us to understand that we are already Infinite, Eternal and Whole no matter what and that we are certainly not the physical body but rather, the spirit soul.
In some ways Abinivesha is a natural instinct - our desire to survive on a biological level. It has an intimate relationship to our sympathetic nervous system and the activation of the “fight or flight” response that is built into our human constitution. What causes us to fall into a state of panic and resulting dis-ease is feeling the sensation of fear and believing it to be our reality instead of a temporary situation that will certainly pass. It can also get intensified by collective fear that can be seen all around us in our communities. It is not to say that if we were being chased by a tiger that this is not a real experience - it is. However, in our current western culture of social media and television most of us are not getting chased by a real tiger in the street but rather by the one on the screen with very little consciousness surrounding it.
When we are experiencing the media tiger daily this has a tremendous impact on our central nervous system. From an Ayurvedic standpoint we call this resulting toxicity ama. Ama begins in the mind and travels throughout the body causing havoc on our nerves, muscles, joints, organs and systems resulting in a state of dis-ease. The endpoint is typically in the gut and that causes inflammation and a distortion in our ability to think clearly giving us a helping of brain fog. This brain fog is not just a by-product of our nervous system being taxed day in and day out but is also the beginning point of the cycle - the disbelief that we are always going to be ok no matter what - Infinite, Eternal and Whole.
The great Ayurvedic Vaidyas and Yoga Rishis developed practices to circumvent this process and resulting dis-ease that are available to us today. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system and use its intelligence to override the sympathetic nervous system’s dominance in our lives was their teachings, practices and goal. We can learn from these practices today and activate them right now. The best way to start? Turn off the TV and use social media in a limited fashion that is only positive and supportive. Get outside in nature, meditate daily, breathe, practice yoga asana and yoga nidra and surround yourself with positive people. Remove the ama.
Isn’t that interesting?Shakti Rising
In the ancient tradition of yoga there is the concept of Shiva and Shakti. Shiva, represents the male form of matter, our physical form and Shakti the female essence of energy. It is written that Shiva is considered almost fully inert, Kaphagenic, if you would in his manifest state whereas Shakti is pure power and movement, Pitta and Vata combined; without her Shiva does not move.
Today, International Women’s Day, is a celebration of the divine feminine that exists in all of us regardless of what gender you identify with. I like to call it Shakti Day because it is a celebration of the power and movement of pure consciousness that exists inside each of us. Cultivating our power and movement to be a force of truth, Satya, in the world is one of the highest missions we can have in this embodied experience that we call life. How we use our Shakti gives us insight into whether we are in a state of wellness or dis-ease from an Ayurvedic perspective. Shakti and consciousness go hand-in-hand.
Using our energy to cultivate good in the world, to stand in the face of injustice in all of its forms - racism, sexism, homophobia, speciesism, etc. in a state of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance)— is how we grow our Shakti as a balanced force to exist in the cosmos and within our physical bodies. On the reverse side, using our Shakti to cultivate violence, hate, anger and separatism will only lead to an energetic imbalance in the universe and land in our bodies as a state of distortion and imbalance; it’s simple Ayurveda AND simple physics - for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
And, where does this begin? This begins with our consciousness. How we use our Shakti comes from our state of being. My mother always said to reflect before acting. At the small age of 6 she taught me that raising my consciousness would serve me well.
Isn’t that interesting?
Today, International Women’s Day, is a celebration of the divine feminine that exists in all of us regardless of what gender you identify with. I like to call it Shakti Day because it is a celebration of the power and movement of pure consciousness that exists inside each of us. Cultivating our power and movement to be a force of truth, Satya, in the world is one of the highest missions we can have in this embodied experience that we call life. How we use our Shakti gives us insight into whether we are in a state of wellness or dis-ease from an Ayurvedic perspective. Shakti and consciousness go hand-in-hand.
Using our energy to cultivate good in the world, to stand in the face of injustice in all of its forms - racism, sexism, homophobia, speciesism, etc. in a state of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance)— is how we grow our Shakti as a balanced force to exist in the cosmos and within our physical bodies. On the reverse side, using our Shakti to cultivate violence, hate, anger and separatism will only lead to an energetic imbalance in the universe and land in our bodies as a state of distortion and imbalance; it’s simple Ayurveda AND simple physics - for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
And, where does this begin? This begins with our consciousness. How we use our Shakti comes from our state of being. My mother always said to reflect before acting. At the small age of 6 she taught me that raising my consciousness would serve me well.
Isn’t that interesting?Consciousness Begins In The Mouth
In the ancient medical science of Ayurveda it is said that digestion begins in the mouth. The sister Vedic science of Yoga says the same. Swami Kripalu has a famous quote that captures the essence of this thought around consciousness perfectly - “Before you speak decide whether it is an improvement upon silence.”
Consciousness is a tricky thing. Being aware and being conscious are not the same thing despite dictionary definitions. In the Vedic sciences they have a close relationship but are not synonyms. I can be aware that I am articulating a thought but am I conscious of it? So much of our time is spent doing and not being - not being conscious of the vibration that we are transmitting with our words even though we know and are aware that they have been said.
In Ayurveda, consciousness effects our Agni (digestive fire) and the process of digestion itself. Digestion is not just seen from a biological perspective that enables food and drink to be processed through us and ultimately turn into waste. Ayurveda also sees digestion from a mental-emotional perspective that has just as much of an influence on our health as the biological process itself. Our ability to properly digest our food, liquid and experiences begins with our thoughts and words. If we have a self-deprecating mind-set and language as part of our being this can result in constipation, inflammation or pain. On the other end of the spectrum, if positive thoughts and uplifting speech are our mind-body connection this can enable us to have easy digestion and regular elimination that keeps us healthy biologically and emotionally sattvic.
In addition to our thoughts and words, what we actually put into our mouth to consume influences our Agni, metabolism, digestion and transformation - all functions of Pitta dosha from an Ayurvedic perspective. In addition, if we look at consumption from a yogic point of view, we come to understand from the shastras that it influences our spiritual progress. Gandhi said in his text The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism - “I do feel that spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we should cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily wants.” Gandhi also did not take milk or eggs as part of his diet either.
Consciousness of what we are doing, how we are doing it and the implications of that doing all start with what is created and put into our mouth. If we want to live in a sattvic way, creating a consciousness around what we think, say and eat is key not only to our physical heath but also to our spiritual growth.
Isn’t that interesting?
Consciousness is a tricky thing. Being aware and being conscious are not the same thing despite dictionary definitions. In the Vedic sciences they have a close relationship but are not synonyms. I can be aware that I am articulating a thought but am I conscious of it? So much of our time is spent doing and not being - not being conscious of the vibration that we are transmitting with our words even though we know and are aware that they have been said.
In Ayurveda, consciousness effects our Agni (digestive fire) and the process of digestion itself. Digestion is not just seen from a biological perspective that enables food and drink to be processed through us and ultimately turn into waste. Ayurveda also sees digestion from a mental-emotional perspective that has just as much of an influence on our health as the biological process itself. Our ability to properly digest our food, liquid and experiences begins with our thoughts and words. If we have a self-deprecating mind-set and language as part of our being this can result in constipation, inflammation or pain. On the other end of the spectrum, if positive thoughts and uplifting speech are our mind-body connection this can enable us to have easy digestion and regular elimination that keeps us healthy biologically and emotionally sattvic.
In addition to our thoughts and words, what we actually put into our mouth to consume influences our Agni, metabolism, digestion and transformation - all functions of Pitta dosha from an Ayurvedic perspective. In addition, if we look at consumption from a yogic point of view, we come to understand from the shastras that it influences our spiritual progress. Gandhi said in his text The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism - “I do feel that spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we should cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily wants.” Gandhi also did not take milk or eggs as part of his diet either.
Consciousness of what we are doing, how we are doing it and the implications of that doing all start with what is created and put into our mouth. If we want to live in a sattvic way, creating a consciousness around what we think, say and eat is key not only to our physical heath but also to our spiritual growth.
Isn’t that interesting?Ayurveda: The Path To Female Empowerment
This past year has been an incredible evolution in my practice as an Ayurvedic Clinician. More and more women are stepping forward and asking for help – from a place of strength and inner knowing that has been a long time coming and a long time ignored. They no longer want to “just keep moving,” “have it all” or “stick it out for the betterment of _________ (fill in the blank).” They have nothing to prove and quite frankly they don’t care - they’re done with that paradigm. These women, of all ages and backgrounds, want their health back, their minds back and their souls to lead the way. They have concluded that all the information they have been fed about what it means to be a woman through social media, magazines and YouTube videos is a material world illusion and the result of marketing that does nothing but hold them back because when a woman roars it is loud, deep and profound.
Ayurveda and its core principles are helping women tackle the physical, mental-emotional and spiritual layers that have been covered with debris for most of their adult lives. As the sacred Vedic text the Charaka Samhita says (Sutrasthana Chapter 1, Sloka 43):
“As it is beneficial to mankind in respect of both the worlds (i.e. this life and the life beyond), Ayurveda, the most sacred and honoured by those proficient in the Vedas will now be expounded.”
This quote alone provides the understanding that Ayurveda is not just a healing modality while we dwell in this body, in this lifetime, but as the most sacred of the traditional Vedas because it does good, creates balance, for all personkind in respect to their present life as well as the life beyond. This is precisely what women are craving – balance in this life and in the life beyond.
“All we are doing is drinking tea and eating berries,” I tell my current group of ladies that are part of my yearlong sangha program called The Ayurvedic Woman. They chuckle and with wide eyes are still amazed at how simple and easy it can be. It’s a joke amongst us but seriously, not a joke at all – it CAN be simple.
Many women I see in my practice weekly are dealing with digestive issues, brain fog, anxiety, depression and overall lack of energy. They feel drained, disempowered and have had physical and emotional pain that they have come to accept as part of everyday life- just plain normal. Ayurveda creates a “new normal” I share with them and this is how….
- Ayurvedic practices cleanse the gut.
- Ayurvedic practices restore a symbiotic and profound relationship between the gut and the brain - thus clearing out the fog.
- Ayurvedic practices create calm space for the mind and spirit so we can tap into our true self and understand the gifts we have to bring forth in the world.
- Drink CCF Tea: Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel. These three herbs aid digestion and are beneficial to all three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
- Take Triphala Each Evening: Three berries –Amalaki, Haritaki and Bibhitaki has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It's thought to support bowel health and aid digestion. As an antioxidant, it's also thought to detoxify the bodyand support the immune system.
- Rub Oil On You Body Daily: Known in Ayurveda as Abhyanga or self oil massage, this practice is great for calming and soothing the entire nervous system, increasing energy and stamina by stimulating the metabolism, nourishing the muscles and skin, flushing toxins and promoting deep sleep. All from rubbing oil on the body? Yes! Choose an oil that is specific to your dosha.
- Put Oil In Your Mouth A Swish It Around: In Ayurveda we call this oil pulling. Typically used with coconut or sesame oil, the benefits are numerous: kills bacteria in the mouth, reduces bad breath, reduces inflammation and sensitivity in the mouth and improves gum health. All you need is a tablespoon of oil and 15 minutes of your time. Just swish.
- Scrape Your Tongue: Using a tongue scraperyou can more effectively remove built up bacteria from the surface of your tongue and increase the quality of your oral hygiene. Tongue scrapers should be gold, silver or copper for best results.
- Use Nasya Oil: The use of nasya oil (an herbal infused oilwhich is both nurturing and nourishing) that is administered through the nostrils, supports the sinus passages, nose, throat, and head.
- Get Up With The Sun & Meditate: Considered the auspicious time of the day, waking up at sunrise and meditating for 15-20 minutes (or even 5 minutes) sets the intention for the day and clears the brain of fog. Let yourself take a breath before the day gets rolling and you have forgotten your name by 4pm J
- Go To Sleep By 9:30/10PM: Sufficient sleep in Ayurveda is a baseline for all health. Staying up late disturbs your digestive system and the detoxification process that happens between 10pm and 2am. If you stay up too late chances are you will wake up feel sluggish, bloated and fuzzy in the mind. Get to bed, stop scrolling on your phone and enjoy the magic of a good night’s rest.
