All minds seem to be on love this day. Why do we love? Why do we seek another to find fulfillment? What is this driving need to be so intimately connected to another human? Having divorced and gone through that journey, I have sought this answer for years. This is my journey:
My first answer came from Marianne Williamson in her book "Enchanted Love". She explains that love is the process of being "chosen" by another. Oddly, you can choose another and that person you choose will have an experience of love. If they do not choose you in return, however, you will not have an experience of love.
That led to my second question...what is it to be chosen? This led to my next teacher, Thich Nhat Hahn. In his book, "True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart", he defines the elements of love. The elements are Goodness, Understanding, Compassion, Joy and Freedom.
Goodness
• The desire to make someone happy
• The desire to bring joy to a person
• The ability to bring joy and happiness to the person you love
Understanding
• To be there
• To be attentive
• To observe
Compassion
• The desire to ease the pain of another
• The ability to ease the pain of another
Joy
• If there is not joy in love, then you can be sure it is not true love
• If you are suffering, if you cry all the time, this is not love
• If the person you love is suffering or cries all the time, this is not love
Freedom
• In true love, you attain freedom
• When you love a person, you bring them freedom.
• If this is not true, it is not love
• You must give a person space in their heart
Thich Nhat Hahn taught me how to love and how to choose someone.
My current teacher is Osho. He's pretty hard-core and not for the meek. He has taught me the difference between being lonely and being alone. When you are lonely, you seek someone to fill you up. When you are alone, you are happy and fulfilled. You then realize that you are so filled up, you are overflowing. You want to take your excess and give this gift to another.
Yoga has taught me to sit in the present moment and enjoy the one that I love. It has also taught me to embrace the uncertainty of the future. If you can enjoy every single moment with the person you are with, then in each moment you love eternally.
Enjoy the journey. Love yourself first. The rest will simply fall into place.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Dairy and Calcium
Dairy................is it necessary?
United States Department of Agriculture, facts:
The United States Department of Agriculture suggests daily allowances for vitamins and minerals based on the "average American". What this means is that some people will need that amount and some will not. Ayurveda believes each person to be unique, not average. The Wind and The Fire can consume the most dairy as it is sweet and cooling. The Earth should not consume dairy. If you are experiencing an Earth imbalance, give up the milk!
| Age | Milligrams | |
| 4 - 8 | 800 | |
| 9 - 18 | 1300 | |
| 19 - 50 | 1000 | |
| 50+ | 1500 |
By simply consuming one glass of fortified OJ, one glass of fortified soymilk and one tablespoon of Sesame Seeds to your diet each day, you can reach 948 milligrams of calcium. Add to that some beans and leafy greens and you are well taken care of!!
Ayurveda and Milk Consumption
Dairy holds a special place in Ayurveda. Cows are considered to be sacred animals. The milk from a cow that has been well-loved and well-cared for rejuvenates tissues and nourishes the body. Unfortunately, these cows are few and far between in the West.
If you are the Earth, you can and should avoid all dairy.
Elemental OM believes that most Elements thrive without DAILY dairy. If you choose to consume dairy on a regular basis, buy whole, organic, non-homogenized, and much loved products.
Milk is Sweet and is to be combined with other Sweet tastes. However, it is never to be combined with meat or fish.
Milk should never be drank cold. Bring it to a boil first and then turn down and let it slowly boil for 5 or 10 minutes. This changes the molecular structure of the milk and makes it easier to digest.
Think of milk as a snack or a digestive aid. You can replace breakfast with warm milk adding a little bit of nutmeg, cinnamon, honey and almonds. Warm milk taken 30 minutes before bedtime will aid in sleep. Warm milk and ghee taken prior to bedtime will aid with constipation.
Dairy facts for our Western Culture:
A high protein diet, especially proteins from animals, causes CALCIUM LOSS in the Body. The proteins in cow's milk actually inhibit absorbtion!
75% of adults show some degree of lactase activity (lactose intolerance) worldwide. Interestingly, countries consuming the most amount of milk which are largely in the West show lower intolerance. Eastern countries where milk is not consumed as an adult show the highest percentage of intolerance.
Jersey (small, honey-brown, friendly) cows provide the highest quality milk, however 85% of the milk produced in the United States is provided by Holstein cows (typical black and white cow).
Cows are typically milked up to 3 times per day and given hormoses such as bsT to boost milk production.
Organically produced milk does use up to 80% more land. That's because the cows are actually getting out and enjoying life a little. If you are worried about the environment, drink less milk overall. As a matter of fact, just consume less of everything!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Common Cold
Neti Pot:
Add a little ginger powder to your neti pot to treat mild colds and congestions. This is wonderful if you are experiencing the first stages of a head cold.
Add the following spices: Ginger Licorice Basil Cloves Mint Ginger
| Common Cold
The viruses that create colds are always present. Sometimes, if your elements are out of balance, your body becomes weakened and you can no longer destroy the viruses effectively. The result is the common cold. Prevention is best by following the diet and routine for your element. Take the Element Quiz to find out your element or dosha.
Once cold symptoms appear, follow the routine below.
As soon as you feel a cold coming on, you should begin to rest and follow the Wind Reducing Body Plan. Taking the time to rest at the first signs of a cold instead of waiting until you are bedridden will actually save you time in the end. Keep yourself warm and keep your face covered with a scarf if you are going outside. Wearing a shawl or scarf indoors is also a good idea. Your diet should be simple, easy to digest and served warm. Lemon and Ginger are your best friends especially in hot water.
Diet
Routine
Herbal Therapy
If you are taking Ashwagandha, ginseng or shatavari then stop taking these herbs until your cold is healed. Yoga Pose
|
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Insomnia and Ayurveda
Insomnia
It is estimated that 20% of the population of the United Sates or 50 to 70 million people suffer from Insomnia either chronically or temporarily. Stress, poor digestion, lack of routine and overall poor health result create sleeping disorders. Insomnia is a disorder of the Wind Element or Vata in your body and your mind
Diet and Lifestyle
Follow the Wind Reducing Body Plan
Follow the Wind Reducing Mind Plan
| Go to bed at the same time each day and get up at the same time each day. For a Wind disorder such as Insomnia, it is most beneficial to go to bed by 10:00 pm and arise by 6:00 am | ||
| Exercise more vigorously during the day | ||
| Before you go to bed at night, perform some mild and gentle yoga. | ||
Create a bedtime routine. This can be a nightly bath or simply washing your face and hands with a special scent before bedtime. Rubbing the soles of your feet with Sesame Oil before bedtime induces sound sleep.
| ||
| Eat 3 meals a day around the same time each day. Do not eat within 3 hours of bedtime. |
| Do not watch tv or listen to music in bed. Choose something pleasant to read instead. | ||
| Clear clutter. All clothing should be put away. Keep only those items which you use regularly by your bed....book, lotion, etc. Elimate extra pillows and bedding. Replace busy patterns with white sheets and coverlets. | ||
| Burn incense of Lavendar in your room during waking hours so that your bedroom will have a beautiful healing smell at night. | ||
| Eliminate overhead lighting | ||
| Eliminate mirrors | ||
| Your room should be dark |
If you wake in the middle of the night, practice a Complete breath until sleepiness returns. To practice the complete breath, simply imagine that there is a balloon in your belly and fill the baloon all the way up with air, pull the air into your lungs and let it out through your shoulders. |  |
Herbal Therapy
Many people choose sleep aids to help them get rest. Unfortunely there are side effects to all medications, not to mention that medically induced sleep does not allow your body to receive the healing benefits of natural REM sleep.
If you currently take a sleep aid, consider substituting the following for 30 days while your body adjusts. These herbs can also be taken intermittently:
| HERB | ACTS AS | BEST FOR |
| Valerian | sleep aid | The Wind and The Earth |
| Kava Kava | sleep aid | The Fire |
| Ashwagandha | adaptogen or tonic to nerves | Balancing to all |
Massage
Perform a daily Sesame Oil Massage.
Other Therapy
When you go to bed each night, it is a very powerful practice to witness your day. This is a simple process of laying in bed, relaxing and running through the events of the day quickly. Simply start at the beginning of your day....."I got up, I brushed my teeth, I put on my red sweater".......When you get to the part of your day where there was conflict or stress, let your body react and feel it. You will notice that your body does not have the same intense reaction as when you were in the moment. This is a clue to your brain that your body has already let the situation go and so can your mind.
Yoga
| Sirsasana | Headstand | |
| Sarvangasana | Shoulder Stand | |
| Paschimottanasana | Seated Forward Fold | |
| Uttanasana | Standing Forward Fold | |
| Savasana | Relaxation Pose |
| Dhurga Breath | Complete Breath | |
| Nadi Sodhana | Alternate Nostril Breathing | |
| Suryabhedana | right nostril inhales, left nostril exhale, repeat | |
| Performing Pranayama | Do not retain your breath |
Meditation
A meditation practice can help you manage manage stress and healing. Consider establishing a basic 10 or 20 minute practice. This is truly sacred time to be set aside for yourself to heal.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Lovers
In the studio, subjects tend to appear for short periods of time and play in each class. We have been doing a lot of yin yoga which is getting into the root and sacral chakra. Naturally, the questions have turned to love and sex. It appears that people are craving much more intimacy than they are actually realizing. No one appears "unhappy", but clearly a little more lovemaking would add to the play in life.
Why are we avoiding sex? Why are we treating it like a chore to be done at the end of our exhausting days? Lovemaking is one of the easiest ways to achieve a meditative state. You are completely lost in movement, your senses are drawn inward, you are totally focused on sensation...you are thinking of nothing but sensual pleasure.
If you have a meditation practice, you will notice that sometimes you set it aside and it is difficult to get back to it. You have to start the habit over by scheduling a time of day to sit down and do it. It feels like a chore. After awhile, you begin to crave your meditation and happily go to it. If you miss the meditation, you become a little stressed and grumpy. Look at your lovemaking that way. Just begin the practice of lovemaking. Set aside a little time each day and get back to it. It may feel like a chore. After awhile, you will begin to crave it and you will happily take the time to do it. Don't miss it. You may become stressed and a little grumpy.
Below is a beautiful poem that was sent to me by coincidence this week. Read it for inspiration.
The Lover's Touch
Diana Daffner
The Lover asked: How would you like me to touch you?
The Lover answered: Woman with sensual red lips and white rose
I would like you to touch me as if you were going away tomorrow, far far away,
and you wanted to remember the feel of my body, the texture of my skin, the
hills and valleys that make up the landscape of who I am...
I would like you to touch me as if you were blind, knowing that you love me, but
unable to see me. Touch my face, my breasts, my belly, my toes... learn what I
"look" like, imagine me in your mind as your hands explore my shape.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were healing hands, radiating love
energy with every stroke. Feel the energy penetrating through skin, through
flesh, entering into the cells of my body.
I would like you to touch me as if you gained your nourishment through your
hands. Feed on me, drink deeply and draw from your touch the love that I hold
for you.
I would like you to touch me as if you were feeding me through your hands, as if
by your touch I am nourished and sustained. Every inch of me cries out for your
touch, yearns to be fed.
I would like you to touch me as if your hand were a feather, lightly caressing
the edge of my being.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were paintbrushes, and as you
caress me, you are coloring me in brilliant, sparkling, dazzling hues.
I would like you to touch me as if you were erasing the outer me, allowing me to
reveal my inner self to you.
I would like you to touch me as if you had carved a sculpture, and were now
feeling its finish, smoothing out any rough areas, enjoying the finished
product.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were fire, burning away the dross
and leaving only the pure gold of my soul.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were sponges, soaking up the
essence of my being.
I would like you to caress me as if I were made of dry clay, and by dampening my
skin you enliven my spirit.
I would like you to touch me as if my skin were soft velvet.
I would like you to touch me as if you were a musician, and your touch brought
forth different sounds from different parts of me.
I would like you to touch me as if I were a rare jewel, precious and valuable.
I would like you to touch me as if I were your Lover.
Why are we avoiding sex? Why are we treating it like a chore to be done at the end of our exhausting days? Lovemaking is one of the easiest ways to achieve a meditative state. You are completely lost in movement, your senses are drawn inward, you are totally focused on sensation...you are thinking of nothing but sensual pleasure.
If you have a meditation practice, you will notice that sometimes you set it aside and it is difficult to get back to it. You have to start the habit over by scheduling a time of day to sit down and do it. It feels like a chore. After awhile, you begin to crave your meditation and happily go to it. If you miss the meditation, you become a little stressed and grumpy. Look at your lovemaking that way. Just begin the practice of lovemaking. Set aside a little time each day and get back to it. It may feel like a chore. After awhile, you will begin to crave it and you will happily take the time to do it. Don't miss it. You may become stressed and a little grumpy.
Below is a beautiful poem that was sent to me by coincidence this week. Read it for inspiration.
The Lover's Touch
Diana Daffner
The Lover asked: How would you like me to touch you?
The Lover answered: Woman with sensual red lips and white rose
I would like you to touch me as if you were going away tomorrow, far far away,
and you wanted to remember the feel of my body, the texture of my skin, the
hills and valleys that make up the landscape of who I am...
I would like you to touch me as if you were blind, knowing that you love me, but
unable to see me. Touch my face, my breasts, my belly, my toes... learn what I
"look" like, imagine me in your mind as your hands explore my shape.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were healing hands, radiating love
energy with every stroke. Feel the energy penetrating through skin, through
flesh, entering into the cells of my body.
I would like you to touch me as if you gained your nourishment through your
hands. Feed on me, drink deeply and draw from your touch the love that I hold
for you.
I would like you to touch me as if you were feeding me through your hands, as if
by your touch I am nourished and sustained. Every inch of me cries out for your
touch, yearns to be fed.
I would like you to touch me as if your hand were a feather, lightly caressing
the edge of my being.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were paintbrushes, and as you
caress me, you are coloring me in brilliant, sparkling, dazzling hues.
I would like you to touch me as if you were erasing the outer me, allowing me to
reveal my inner self to you.
I would like you to touch me as if you had carved a sculpture, and were now
feeling its finish, smoothing out any rough areas, enjoying the finished
product.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were fire, burning away the dross
and leaving only the pure gold of my soul.
I would like you to touch me as if your hands were sponges, soaking up the
essence of my being.
I would like you to caress me as if I were made of dry clay, and by dampening my
skin you enliven my spirit.
I would like you to touch me as if my skin were soft velvet.
I would like you to touch me as if you were a musician, and your touch brought
forth different sounds from different parts of me.
I would like you to touch me as if I were a rare jewel, precious and valuable.
I would like you to touch me as if I were your Lover.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Meaning of Life
The great ancient sages of India sat in meditation pondering their existence. They asked the same questions of Spirit that we ask...Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? Thousands of years later we continue to ask the same questions.
Its actually not that hard to find the answer to your life's meaning. The problem is once you've decided upon the answer, you have closed yourself off from possibility. All of life's problems are solved. Life becomes easy...tedious. You create dullness by choosing the answer.
Learn to enjoy the question itself. The continuous enjoyment of the journey that you have undertaken in this lifetime gets you closer and closer to your purpose. It gets you closer and closer to the meaning of your life. If you find yourself bored or unhappy, then you are not close to the meaning. If you find yourself excited and enthusiastic, then you are close to the meaning.
“Live your questions now, and perhaps even without knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Its actually not that hard to find the answer to your life's meaning. The problem is once you've decided upon the answer, you have closed yourself off from possibility. All of life's problems are solved. Life becomes easy...tedious. You create dullness by choosing the answer.
Learn to enjoy the question itself. The continuous enjoyment of the journey that you have undertaken in this lifetime gets you closer and closer to your purpose. It gets you closer and closer to the meaning of your life. If you find yourself bored or unhappy, then you are not close to the meaning. If you find yourself excited and enthusiastic, then you are close to the meaning.
“Live your questions now, and perhaps even without knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Monday, November 2, 2009
Hugging
Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.~ Author Unknown
Hugging and touching are essential for good health and happiness. When skin is stimulated through touch, it releases an abundance of healing chemicals that have health-promoting effects on the body and mind. Regular massage therapy detoxify the body's tissues and calm the mind which enhances immune function. If you haven't been hugged or touched lately, then hug yourself. Self-massage has the same healing benefits. Consider performing a daily massage with Sesame Oil to ground the Vata energy on your skin and promote, not only skin health, but emotional health as well.
FROM "The Hug Therapy Book" by Kathleen Keating Schloessinger.
In a world that has grown more complicated, more fierce in the demands made upon our hearts and pocket books, there is one easy, free gift left. The power of touch. Don’t turn away from the elderly, disabled, terminally ill or long term care residents because their needs seem beyond your ability to give. The one thing they need the most is the most simple, yet profound gift you have to give. Your kind hand holding theirs and a hug from your heart. The gift of touch is the most powerful healing you can offer another, and it is the most powerful healing you can give yourself. Give generously and watch yourself grow rich in what matters the most. Hug often, hug well... I embrace your spirit.
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