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Pinging the list, which I plan to do rarely; only when I or someone else posts an article or other lengthy information, which may be of general interest.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the most ancient health system on earth. It predates European or western medicine, Greek civilization, and even Chinese medicine. The principles and teachings of Ayurveda are are the source from which many other systems originated such as Chinese traditional medicine, and the Greek and Unani medicine. In fact, Ayurvedic medicine was brought to China by the Buddhist monk Nagarjuna around 150 AD, which then gradually developed into what is now TCM [Traditional Chinese Medicine]. Followers of the Vedas accept what the Ayurvedic shastras and Puranas state - that it was revealed by an incarnation of the Supreme at the dawn of time. The philosophical basis of Ayurveda (”the science of life”) is very deep, its principles founded on the teachings of 25 elements in the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. Not only are the methods of healing and curing using herbs, diet, hygiene methods and exercise sophisticated and highly individual, but there is no other medical system with such a wide array of self-help practices to not only improve health but preserve it.

The actual goal of Ayurveda is not “perfect” health, which is an impossible goal. Its purpose is to promote physical and mental balance; a peaceful, clear mind and a flexible, energetic body, so that the individual can then use the body and mind for the real mission of human life.

Ayurveda does not see physical health and mental health as unrelated. Not only do the body and mind affect each other, but they are understood to be the two coverings of the eternal soul. In essence, Ayurveda teaches that the real identity of each person is the eternal spiritual particle or soul [atma], using the body as a vehicle.

In order to make the journey of human life successful, it is much easier if the body and mind are in good working order, and that is the purpose of Ayurveda. A strong body is not very useful if the mind is clouded, afraid, depressed, consumed by cravings, or angry. Clarity and peace of mind are just as important in Ayurveda as a strong and healthy body, if not more so.

Ayurveda places great emphasis on proper diet; it is said that without the right diet, even herbs will have little effect, and that with the right diet, herbs aren’t that much needed. One of the unique aspects of Ayurveda is the understanding that each person is an individual with different specific dietary needs. There are three main constitutional types, which, when mixed, make up about 7 different types (with each individual manifesting a unique mix of the doshas - ie constitutional types). When a person understands what foods are uniquely good and health promoting, or conversely, harmful, for him, it is much easier to make the right choices about not only food, but drinks, habits, types of exercise, and so on.

Ayurveda also teaches the utility of seasonal eating and habits for promoting health. Foods and activities that are beneficial in winter may be harmful in the summer, and vice versa. Ayurveda takes into account each individual’s age, level of activity, environment and other situations when determining the most health promoting choices.

Modern health books, foods, supplements, and exercise regimens are often popular for a while, then discarded for something new. Such inventions are often primarily a business investment which may be good for some people, useless for others, and even harmful for some. Since they don’t always work, they are then rejected for the next fad that comes along. Sometimes people are taken for a ride, or even damage their health with extreme diets, imbalancing vitamin or mineral intake, or even wind up with heart attacks while “running for health”.
People are often left confused, after reading dozens of books which all contradict each other. Others just give up, figuring that health is just a hit or miss accident.

The system of Ayurveda, while quite sophisticated, is not difficult to understand in terms of one’s own constitution. To learn about the needs of your own particular body, with its own strengths and weaknesses and what foods will be easily digestible and promote your well being, and which are hard to digest and therefore toxin creating; and which herbs, spices, and daily habits will greatly improve your feeling of well being now and in the future, as well as bring balance to your emotions and clarity of mind, is to have the knowledge to take responsibility for your own health.

Ayurveda is all about choices. We make choices every day - about food, purchases, clothing, habits, exercise, recreation. When we understand the basics of our constitutional and what brings it into balance, and what causes imbalances, we can choose wisely. Not only is our immediate health and well being improved, but our mind and consciousness are brought into proper focus so that our spiritual goals are seen more clearly. Ayurveda teaches that every one of us is a spiritual being, and that our body is a vehicle that should be in good working order, so that we can travel on our spiritual journey more easily.

An article about dealing with stress; there are additional parts that deal with different kinds of stress according to constitution, which I will post in a bit.I didn’t realize how long this article is until I posted it and although it is very general and introductory, I hope there may be some useful info. I have known people who got rid of non-natural fiber clothing and starting wearing only natural fibers (cotton, silk, linen, wool, hemp) and noticed a big difference in health.

Reducing and Preventing Stress with Ayurveda

Ayurveda – the Science of Life, describes many methods of healthy living, to help bring us into harmony with the rhythms and elements of life. Although put into writing by wise sages of ancient times, Ayurvedic principles are surprising easy to adopt to our modern life, and refreshingly simple to apply. The science of Ayurveda is a sister science of Yoga, and each method supports the other, as they both have the same goal – to bring the mind and body into peaceful health, to more easily fulfill the purpose of human life.

Both Yoga and Ayurveda see one’s real eternal identity as individual spirit, and that the goal of one’s earthly journey is spiritual perfection. The spiritual quest is facilitated when one’s body is strong and flexible, and the mind clear and peaceful. Both Ayurveda and Yoga teach ways to promote the health of both mind and body.

The Vedic texts explain that everything in the universe is made of eight elements. The five primary elements, or building blocks – earth, water, fire, air and ether - make up all bodies, environments, and everything we see around us. Each individual constitution has its own unique proportion of elements, usually with some type of imbalance as well. Ayurvedic methods - using diet, herbs, color and aromatherapy, massage, and other life choices – seek to bring our bodily and mental elements in tune with the elements around us.

The senses take in impressions – or “eat” sensory input – that can cause ill health or improve wellbeing. Not just the food we eat or the water we drink, but the very air we breathe, the sounds we hear, the sights and images we see, the odors we smell, and the information we take in through the mind – all have strong affects on our wellbeing. There are daily and seasonal habits that can bring about greater physical, mental and emotional peace and wellbeing – Ayurveda really is a Science of Life, not another niche fad.

Modern life is very stressful - modern technology seems to make changes happen faster and not always for the better. Simplicity often has gone by the wayside, and “economics as if people mattered” now seems a quaint notion. Families and personal relationships are often hard to maintain, and fear hems many on all sides.

Modern medicine offers very little in the way of managing stress other than dangerous pharmaceuticals or feeble guidance to “exercise” or take time for oneself. Fortunately, Ayurveda offers a wide and often colorful array of methods to help stressed out people find peace in the midst of a speeded up life of pressure.

[This was written to send to clients; I was going to take it out but decided to leave it in. If anyone is interested in finding out their particular constitution or dosha, I will post a link to a site that does a pretty good job. For people I know I have my own set of questions which are bit more fine tuned.]

First of all, it does help to know one’s constitution., and specific imbalances. Answer the questions below and tally up how many Kapha, Vata and Pitta points you have; most people have most of one, less of another, and just a few of one. Most people have a more or less dual constitution with one dominant Dosha or constitutional quality, with a secondary one. Knowing your constitution will help you make choices that are balancing and healthy for you.

Stress manifests in different constitutions differently

A primarily Kapha person may react to stress by compulsive eating, sleeping more than necessary, depression or hopelessness, a feeling of futility, becoming numb, or retreating into denial and not communicating with others. A primarily Pitta individual may react to stress by succumbing to anger and irritation, intolerance and short tempter, heightened anxieties, cravings and desires, or trying to control situations and other people. A more Vata dominant person may react to stress with increased fears, feelings of weakness and nervousness, alternating over-energy with exhaustion, restlessness, nightmares or sleep difficulties, or loss of appetite. People can also experience various reactions to stress not necessarily related strictly to bodily constitution.

Since each individual is unique, each person will react individually to stress, and by gauging one’s own reactions, a person can choose practices that will help alleviate unwanted stressful symptoms. However, there are many methods that will help people of every constitution experience relief from unwanted stress reactions, and can be adopted with little expense or effort. These include dietary, home environment, exercise, and other aspects of daily life.

Stress Treatment Methods for Everyone

No matter what a person’s constitution, Ayurveda has methods which are help harmonize the body and mind, thus helping increasing Sattva, or the mode of peacefulness and clarity. Keeping one’s personal environment neat and clean helps promote a peaceful outlook. Traditional Yoga practices teach cleanliness and simple living in order to enhance mental calm; some ideas that can be followed by everyone are:

1. Keeping outside shoes outside or in a box by the door. The outside world is a dirty place – and by keeping our home clean, this not only helps keep actual dirt and microbes outside, but keeps subtle unwholesome influences outside as well. Using house slippers inside is also relief for feet rather than keeping them in tight shoes all day, thus helping energy flow in the body.

2 Urban and suburban areas have more and more “light pollution” – constant lights, day and night, disturb the natural rhythms of the body. It is helpful to make sure you have heavy curtains in your bedroom to block out unwanted light, place outside lights so they don’t shine into your bedroom, or turn out any outside lights at night. Eye pillows or an eye mask can be worn at night to create peaceful darkness for sleeping.

3. Using natural or non/toxic (which includes those with artificial fragrances) home products as much as possible helps everyone, as the number of toxic chemicals is a heavy load for the body to have to deal with. Artificial fragrances can not only cause headaches, skin and digestive problems, but longer term health problems, and even effect emotions. The skin absorbs chemicals readily, so it’s common sense to use products which are as natural as possible.

There are many books describing how to make our own cleaners using simple substances like baking soda, borax, vinegar and essential oils, and there are more and more natural products available as well. Instead of toxic air fresheners, a better choice is fragrant plants like peppermint or basil, spraying essential oils into their air or using a purchased device using essential oils.

4. The human body has subtle energy channels, and the free flowing of this energy – Chi or Prana – is essential to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Wearing manmade fibers interrupts this flow of energy, creating tangible static and contributing to an underlying feeling of unwellness and irritation. It is important to use natural fibers not just for clothing but also bedding. When people are used to sleeping on cotton sheets and wearing natural fiber clothing, they notice a tremendous impairment when using polyester, acrylic or other artificial fiber.

5. Physical and mental health need to be supported by proper digestion – both to maintain energy and reduce toxic accumulations. All constitutions benefit from these Ayurvedic dietary habits:

Eating only when hungry – generally several hours since the last meal was taken

Eating only the amount that can be digested easily, “stuffing” never promotes good health

Eating in a peaceful atmosphere; arguing and debating should not happen at mealtime; best is silence, quiet conversation or peaceful music

If angry, upset or afraid, best to wait until calm to have a meal. A cup of warm milk or other beverage is better when upset

Eat when the right nostril is open

Do not guzzle cold water or iced drinks either before, with or after a meal – sipping hot water is fine and promotes digestion

Eat seasonally and according to constitution (prakriti) and any imbalance (vikriti) – best to eat simple foods rather than elaborate feasts daily

Use foods without preservatives, food colorings, preservatives or artificial flavorings – these are all “non-food items” and the body must eliminate them or store them as toxins

Hydrogenated oils and cottonseed oil in particular are harmful for everyone

A one day a week fast or reduction of eating helps gradually reduce toxins in the body without causing hardship or weakness, different constitutions can use different foods or beverages as a monodiet

6. Home should be a refuge from the “cold, cruel world” – and there are many ways to make our own homes, no matter how humble, a place where we can feel peaceful and at rest. Leaving the TV, radio and harsh or loud music off rather than on as a background sound is important, as sound especially affects the mind and emotions for good or ill.

Using appropriate colors in home decoration and clothing, keeping artwork and decorations peaceful and uplifting rather than trendy and edgy are all helpful.

Yoga principles as well as Feng Shui tell us that having one area in our home as a shrine, meditation or prayer corner is extremely beneficial – a place where we can leave aside the cares of the world and focus on finding Divine peace within. The northeast is the best direction for such a meditation or prayer corner, or an entire room if possible. Plants, an altar with pictures of deities and saints, candles, indirect lighting, incense and a comfortable place to sit promote peace of mind.