Day 76 - Light Cleaveth Unto Light

November 4, 2008

Dear Friends,

Recently I was reminded of a truth that really was a catalyst for me at the beginning of my spiritual journey. Being reminded of it was timely, for I understand it through new lenses, and today I want to apply it to the topic of food (of course!). It is a scripture from the LDS religion (my spiritual “upbringing”, along with Catholicism, Vedanta, Hinduism – all paths with inherent Truths, still very dear to my heart), found in the Doctrines & Covenants: “For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light;...” (D & C 88:40)

“Intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence...light cleaveth unto light” - these words keep striking a chord within me. When I think of my desire to purify my body system, I visualize myself as a light being that is “polluted” by the material gross toxins of this physical reality. As I attempt to balance and be healthier, I am literally trying to purify my Light, raise my vibration, shine more brilliant, and be more refined - both inside and out. This is not about judgment, right vs. wrong, good vs. bad. It is about choosing to increase more of that in my life which supports my growth in a positive direction and shedding those aspects that do not support this progressive evolution. It is like my physical/ food sheath is clouded over with the “dirt” of this material world, and I'm trying to wash away the impurities so that I can better see and better view my subtle and causal bodies, which will reveal to me my higher Self.

Intelligence and Light, as related to food, is equivalent to Organic, Fresh, Whole, Pure, Natural, Super, Wild-crafted, and Homegrown. The old adage “you are what you eat” is very appropriate here, for it reflects the Ayurvedic teaching that “Like increases Like”. As you eat, consume, partake, swallow, chew, digest whatever you choose to put into your mouth – so you will be. It is really very simple. If your food is pure, so will be your body. When your body is pure, your mind is better supported (literally on a chemical level). You will naturally begin to think positive and supportive thoughts, which, in turn, will begin to awaken the “sleeping” soul and enliven the “drowsy” one. Eventually, when you are fully “awakened”, you will naturally only be drawn to Intelligence and Light, you will cleave only to that which you already are.

So, as we desire, so we will manifest. This is my hope and faith. I am living testimony of this truth. I'm not fully where I want to be, but as I step back and get perspective of my entire life to this date, I can see the progress, the evolution, the spiritual maturity that has happened. I understand that as I simply continue, day by day, and even breath by breath, I will one day reach my personal (and our universal) goal of Enlightenment, Moksha, Re-union with Divinity. It doesn't matter to me what you call it, for words cannot truly describe this soul felt hunger to reunite with our Source. But reunite I will!

May we all consciously be on this path together. Eat well. Eat simply. Eat pure. Support your children, your partner, your friends, and your family in the same process as well – for we are all on the same journey whether we are conscious of it or not.

As you sow, so shall you reap. It is law. Tathaastu!

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 63 - Testimony of Healing

October 22, 2009

Dear Friends,

It's interesting for me to see how my Sankalpa has evolved over the last 60+ days. At first I started out jumping right into the spiritual stuff – the sadhana: yoga, japa, pranayama, meditation, prayer...But then, as I was distracted by imbalances with food and sleep, out of necessity I had to put what my heart wanted “on the back shelf” so that I could address, really, the foundation of all spiritual practices – the balance of the physical body! Once again, I learned from experience what Ayurveda has already taught me: The 3 Pillars are the foundation of balance – body/mind/soul! Just as you cannot skip from being tamasic straight to satvic, you cannot skip from physical imbalance straight to spiritual balance. There is order in the universe. Positive karma phala (fruit) can only be enjoyed by correct previous practices – literally correct formulas for health, harmony and balance so that both the mind and the body can then better serve the spirit!

This being said, there is also truth in the fact that the body/mind/soul is a dynamic and interdependent system. As one aspect of the self is healing, another is healing and soon all three are healing. (It also moves in the same direction with dis-ease.) Each “body” is interconnected to the other. It is true that going straight into spiritual routine benefited my body. But, for me, with the particular imbalances and life load I carry, I had to address my body-physical health first, or at least had to make it a priority. In fact, it was my spiritual practices that increased my mind consciousness that made me more attuned to the needs of my physical body. So, even though my primary focus and attention has shifted to the needs of the body via the 3 Pillars, I am still very much aware of my mind and still very much giving attention to my spiritual self, though, yes, I had to re- prioritize how I use the hours of my day.

It wasn't so long ago that I made a “connection” within my mind and my heart that my particular path is a spiritual path. The truth is ALL of our paths are a spiritual path, because we are all spiritual beings inhabiting physical bodies to evolve and raise our vibrations. What I mean to share is that I want and desire my journey, my path, and my life to reflect, to teach, to serve and to inspire others with the highest vibrational lifestyle possible – a lifestyle founded upon truth, love and honoring of Divinity. This brings me my greatest joy. This is my dharma, and I have found an avenue for this with Ayurveda and Yoga.

Now, all of this being said, I understand that I have a long way to go on my healing journey! Those closest to me know my weaknesses – and yes, there are many! But, I'm hear to testify that there is hope. There is hope to grow, to change, to evolve, to learn, to transform, to pull yourself up out of ignorance and into light, truth and wisdom. There are higher laws that will uplift you, inspire you, bring you back to your Self, and even bring you closer to God. These laws are simple and actually very scientific. They are founded upon a wisdom that has always existed, given to us directly from our Divine Source. This wisdom is Ayurveda and Yoga. It is a wisdom that can be incorporated into any spiritual path, for it is simply knowledge of how the body/mind/soul operates, and it is this knowledge that is foundational to slaying ignorance and to embracing your Higher Self.

As I evolve and fine-tune myself body/mind/soul, I hope that you will learn from my experiences and that somehow, my little reality in this vast Universe will leave a positive imprint for good somewhere. May this wisdom I share germinate seeds of truth seeking and lead you to your own personal revelations of health, hope and happiness.

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 61 - Kicheree/Kichiri/Kichidi

October 20, 2009

Dear Friends,

Since food is the current theme, I want to apply this topic to the subject of kicheree. I love kicheree. Kicheree is a traditional South East Asian (Indian) dish made of basmati rice and mung dal. Basmati rice because it is tridoshic (which means balancing to all 3 doshas) and mung dal because on the spectrum of digestibility, mung dal is the most easily digestible bean. The two put together creates a complete protein with all essential amino acids. Toss in a few vegetables and you have a dish that is the perfect meal.

Kicheree has a significant role to play in Ayurveda medicine. Because it is so easily digestible and so very nourishing to the body, it is a dish that has been literally served for millenium as a healing meal. Traditionally in Asia, when one has had dysentery, kicheree is served to sooth the stomach and to bind the stools. But, if one is too constipated merely add some ghee to the dish and you have a Vata pacifying meal. For weight loss and detoxification it is great made as a soup (simply cook with 6 to 7 times the water). It is also an excellent dish to eat if you feel “a cold coming on”. As preventative medicine it does its job by both nourishing the body to ward off illness and by allowing healing and protective energy to be spent where needed versus in the digestive tract; because it is so easily digested, energy is not wasted here when needed someplace else for healing.

With kicheree as a staple in the diet, cravings will literally disappear as the annamaya kosha is being satisfied on a cellular level. Because the entire dish is being thoroughly absorbed by the body as it moves through the digestive track, no ama is left behind – especially if spices are cooked into the dish (and assuming you are not overeating). Ginger, curry leaves, black pepper, hing, turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel and mustard seeds are a few great spices to add to kicheree to further help and aid the digestive process. You can also add variety to the meal by mixing the vegetables that you toss into the dish or eat as a side. My favorite meal is kicheree with carrots and cauliflower, and I especially like it cooked with ghee or coconut oil, and, of course, my favorite spices ginger and cumin!

Kicheree – Rice Cooker Method:

Using a rice cooker, do the following-

For a 6 cup rice cooker and for one person, 3 meals per day:

1. Put in pot – 2/3 cups of organic basmati rice and 1/3 cup of yellow mung dal (preferably w/o dye)
2. Rinse several times to clean rice and dal
3. Add to pot - 2 cups or 2 1/3 cups of water (1:2- rice:water ratio & 1:2 or 1:3 - dal:water ratio)

4. Turn on rice cooker, 20 minutes later – Kicheree!

When Kicheree is done and you’re ready to eat:

5. In small pan, with medium flame/heat, melt 2 – 3 Tablespoons of ghee or sesame oil or coconut oil (don’t be afraid of oil, especially Vatas and Pittas!)

6. Add seeds first (cumin, brown mustard, fennel, coriander – whatever you're in the mood for – play & experiment!) and wait for popping sound, then add powdered spices (cumin, turmeric, hing, fennel, coriander, curry) and salt. Add about ¼ c. of water (or more depending on how moist or dry you want your dish) and mix. Turn off heat, scoop kicheree into pan w/spices, stir up and enjoy!

If having veggies w/kicheree:

7. Sautee diced veggies in ghee (after stirred in spices), cook until tender, or steam separate, then add kicheree, stir and enjoy!

It’s best to make and eat this fresh – more Prana (Life Force Energy). If just having for 1 meal per day, the above is perfect for a 2 person lunch or dinner. You can make up the kicheree before hand then just prepare the ghee mix and veggies right before you’re ready to eat. If leftovers, okay for 24 hrs. Best though to make and eat fresh.

*Note on spice quantity: For one serving, just add to melted ghee ½ to 1 tsp each (or more!) of fennel & cumin & CCF (= portions of cumin, coriander, & fennel powder), salt to taste, and anything else that you’re in the mood for – turmeric, asofoetida (hing), fresh ginger, cooked onions, what ever’s on your list. Experiment and you’ll find lots of versions you like!


As you eat kicheree and incorporate this meal into your diet more often, you will literally sooth the digestive track and bless the annamaya kosha, strengthening agni (digestive fire) in this sheath so as to better facilitate balance in all of the sheaths of the entire body/mind/soul complex.

Kicheree is an offering to the body temple, a supportive gesture of mindful eating and conscious living.

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 53 - Annamaya Kosha (2)

October 12, 2009

Dear Friends,

I have food on the brain! I cannot stop thinking about food. As I have been preparing for some upcoming workshops I have been compelled to revisit the subject of the Annamaya Kosha – meditating on our relationship to food and this food sheath we are made of. Anna means “food” and Maya means “appearance”
or “illusion”. Thus, this kosha (sheath) is literally the appearance or illusion of food – the gross vs subtle self, that which is made of the 5 elements, that which we can see, feel, hear, touch and smell. This layer of our existence is literally the “machine” or the framework or the matrix through which the more subtler aspects of our selves (the other 4 koshas – pranamaya, manamaya, vjnamaya & anandamaya) manifest on this Earth plane. It is as if the annamaya kosha is the glove covering our more subtle selves – when the glove is covering the hand, we see the glove, but not the hand. The hand is very real but is “hidden” by the glove, just as our more subtler aspects are very real, they are just layered over by the grosser or more denser self.

This food-sheath-self is made up of the 5 elements, which vibrate at a lower frequency than the other sheaths. This is why this sheath is more tangible to us. This is also why both the disease and the healing of this sheath are easier to address and witness – we can diagnose and assess them with our 5 senses, we can actually witness and/or feel transformation occurring (at least for those attuned and trained to observe).

The Annamaya Kosha tells us no lies. It literally reflects the quality of the food we put into it, it just may take some linear time to actually reveal these realities. We can liken our food-sheath-self to a house. If the house is built with a poorly designed blueprint and with cheap inadequate materials, the house will eventually reflect the quality of its makings. As weather and time wear and tear against the house of poor quality, it will weaken, break, and fall into ruin. This being said, even a properly designed house built with high quality products, if left unattended and neglected, or even repaired with “convenience” versus proper attention, will also weaken, break and fall into ruin.

It is the very same with our bodies, these annamaya koshas. Whether we are born with a compromised body or a healthy one, if we “maintain” it with cheap, inadequate, poor quality air and food, it will decay. It will reflect the attention or the lack of attention we give it. As we witness around the world today, when people neglect their health through ignorance, unsupportive choices, and/or blatant abuse – their bodies “weaken, break, and fall into ruin”. In other words, disease manifests. Yes, grabbing fast food or popping in a frozen meal may be convenient and it may give you “fuel” but it will not nourish your body properly. These are unsupportive actions which will compromise your health.

We literally are the attention or lack of attention we give to our bodies - the wholeness or the emptiness, the love or the neglect. Just as a newborn baby needs the love, attention and nourishment from the mother to thrive and survive, so does our food-sheath-self. That need and necessity NEVER goes away. This is one reason we have such a bonded relationship with food. For so many of us, it has literally become the “mother” that once nourished us or the mother that abandoned us – either way, it has become the surrogate. The problem is, too many of us have been mothering ourselves in a very unsupportive and inappropriate way.

This is where education and enlightenment comes in. As we “learn better” and apply revealed wisdom and truth, we can become a more wholesome nourishing “mother” to ourselves. As our own “self-mother”, we can then be more available, more attuned, more present with our immediate needs – body/mind/soul.

More meditations on the Annamaya Kosha to come.

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 50 - Sankalpa Review

October 9, 2009

Dear Friends,

This morning as I focused on sharing my past blog entries with KarmaMantra.com, I had a chance to review my sankalpa over the last 50 days. How have I grown? What has changed? Am I receiving any benefits from this path I've chosen?

The answer is a resounding “YES” with a profound gratitude that I still have 315 days to go (I still have SO much to learn & incorporate)!

Though I have not yet mastered my morning and evening sadhana routines as I would like, I have made two significant lifestyle changes that are very foundational and I have made both a mental and spiritual shift as well regarding mindfullness.

With the physical body, I have (1) gotten grounded in a very healthy sleep routine, and (2) I no longer overeat (or at least I have not for a pretty consistent amount of time now). It's even to the point that when I get close to the overeating “line” - I am already putting my silverware down and considering, “Am I satisfied? Do I need another bite?”

This may seem very simple and not much of an achievement, but in reality, for me, this is HUGE! As a pitta dominant woman, staying up late to “have my ME time” has always been a way of life for me, especially when I received that “second wind” at 10pm as I shifted into the Pitta stage of the evening. Yes, Ayurveda taught me what was wiser – to sleep with the natural rhythms of the day, but, being the “personality” that I am, of course I had to learn this the hard way as I immediately tried to jump into a 4am sadhana routine without re compensating myself for the reduced hours in sleep! So, I learned, that I had to re shift my focus to The 3 Pillars first before I could incorporate my sadhana.

Yes, I am STILL working on the Food Pillar. I have a feeling I'll be working on this one for awhile. Before I even started my sankalpa, I had already mastered a few things: eating slowly and mindfully, blessing my food, eating in a satvic environment. “Master” might be too generous a word at this point, but, to say the least, I had seriously incorporated these practices into my eating routine more than 90% of the time. Now, it is wonderful to add to my list of good eating habits that I no longer over eat. Moderation in food is the current “finish line” I have crossed. Let's pray I maintain...

On this journey, I have also finally allowed myself to not HAVE to blog daily. My life is really too busy right now, and giving myself some flexibility around this was the right thing to do to allow for balance in my life. Still, though, this being said, I truly want to blog frequently. May I make this so!

Mentally and spiritually, I have been on a journey as well. This blogging business has raised my awareness and increased my consciousness, which is exactly what Ayurveda is all about. I thought I was conscious before!!! And what is even more exciting is that I know I have so much further to go – I can only dream about what the rewards of that will be as compared to the rewards I am receiving now: inner peace, increased understanding, simple mindfulness (which I've recently made a huge shift in), and a profound gratitude for God and Life and Love. Some moments I feel as if the atoms of my body will simply burst into a million directions – as the Sun does with its rays... Yes, this is a bliss of sweetness I long for more of.

May these sweet blessings unfold for you as well.

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 49 - Blessed Reminder!

October 8, 2009

Dear Friends,

Yesterday a dear friend of mine was asking me how I was doing? As I rattled on and on about this project and that project until I found myself actually complaining about being a mother! I was appalled at myself! It actually felt like a sin to do that! How dare I admit that out loud! But, sincerely, it really is thankless job, and I do feel very under appreciated most days.

Don't get me wrong, I sincerely love my girls and growing up all I ever wanted to be was a mother. But, growing up, I had never put into the equation being a single mother. Who plans this?! So, here I am, 38, single mom of 3, working 4 PT jobs to make ends meet, to have flexibility, and to be doing my dharma. Yes, I realize that I sacrifice security in a lot of ways to live my dharma and to control my schedule, - and, yes, it's all very worth it. Still, here I was complaining, - here I was being unmindful...

I was being unmindful of the fact that I live in a beautiful home. I was being unmindful of the reality that we are all healthy and have no major health issues. I was being unmindful to the bliss of waking up warm, snuggled beneath blankets, having slept on a really comfortable bed. I was being unmindful of the hugs and kisses and “Sweet Dreams” and “I love you's”...I could go on and on.

Get this: my biggest complaint was that my having to mother was getting in the way of my spiritual life! Talk about being unmindful! My girlfriend who I was complaining to sent me the following words today via email (they helped me get a little perspective!):

In The Spirit Of Mindfulness

All of us are apprenticed to the same teacher that the religious institutions originally worked with: reality.

Reality-insight says...master the twenty-four hours.

Do it well, without self-pity. It is as hard to get the children herded into the car pool and down the road to the bus as it is to chant sutras in the Buddha-hall on a cold morning.

One move is not better than the other, each can be quite boring, and they both have virtuous qualities of repetition.

Repetition and ritual and their good results come in many forms.

Changing the filter, wiping noses, going to meetings, picking up around the house, washing the dishes, checking the dipstick --- don't let yourself think these are distracting you from your more serious pursuits.

Such a round of chores is not a set of difficulties we hope to escape from so that we may do our "practice" which will put us on a "path" --- it is our path.

-Gary Snyder, The Practice of the Wild

So, beloved girlfriend out there, thank you for the gentle reminder. My life, my motherhood, my work – it is all my practice. This is a spiritual path. My entire life is my spiritual path. Being mindful in each moment, remembering God and remembering Love. These are the two most necessary ingredients to add to being Mindful, being Aware, being fully Present – in the moment, not in the Past nor in the Future, but living right here, right NOW. This is spirituality. This is my religion. This is my Path. Thank you, Universe, for the reminder!

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 46 - Gratitude

October 5, 2009

Dear Friends,

Where did September go? Where are my days running off to? It feels like they are blowing away along with the Autumn leaves...

My dear readers, please forgive my absence the past few days. I've been on a journey of the mind, sucked into drama, but finally released into the fold of Grace. Gratitude is the theme this moment. Gratitude for dear friends, who listen, who love, who forgive, who accept...I am so grateful for you in my life. I feel that this acknowledgment of what & who I am grateful for is a vital ingredient in my daily sadhana, a discovery I wish never to forget. When, in prayer, I go to the Divine, and as I thank Him/Her, a satisfaction and nourishment seeps through my being, filling in all of the empty spaces and holes that this life created. Gratitude fills me up like water fills up a dry sponge. I feel more whole, more Me.

Ayurveda teaches that “Like increases Like”. This is a siddantha of the Universe, a principle of Existence. This truth can be applied on so many levels and layers of life. On the gross, physical level of the body (for example), if you are dominant Kapha (full of water and earth element) and you have in your diet an abundance of oily or watery foods like fried foods or even cantaloupe or watermelon or mangos... this Kapha's water and earth will increase and eventually lead to imbalance. Like is increasing like here. If the Kapha system is imbalanced, signs of edema, excess mucous, excess weight or other Kapha imbalances may occur.

Just like with the body, if we apply this “Like increases Like” rule to the mind, then literally, what you focus the mind on will increase as well. This rule applies to the entire Body/Mind/Soul complex. So, with the mind, if you think depressive thoughts – you will literally facilitate the manifestation of even more of these similar kind of thoughts, because the mind and the body are dynamically connected. Depressive thoughts literally release chemicals in the body that cause you to have more depressive thoughts. It's a vicious cycle that will continue to repeat itself until the cycle is consciously broken. If, on the other hand, you think positive thoughts, you are more able to produce more and more and more of these thoughts. Your body, once again, will support this intention. It is simply a chemical reaction that is stimulated by the mind's intentions, thoughts, focus. As you think, so you are. This is both scriptural and reality. Science has proven what ancient sages have shared with us for millennium.

I bring this all to your attention as I am focusing on Gratitude. For, as I focus gratitude for all that I feel blessed with, my awareness of all that I have been blessed with will increase, and, therefore, I will feel even MORE blessed. It unfolds according to the Law.

May you all practice Gratitude in your Mind, in your Body, in the Heart of your Soul. May your awareness of this natural law of “Like Increasing Like”, empower you to consciously live from a higher plane of existence. May your awareness of Grace, Love, Beauty, Light and Joy in your life increase - and attract even more!

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 33 - Fine Tuning

September 23, 2009

Dear Friends,

I am literally sitting here, my hands on the keyboard, and I am at a loss for what to write about! I believe my brain may actually be a little “fried”. I have been doing so much reading and writing, creating and researching, doing and doing...I believe I really need some brain downtime. I'm heading to teach my yoga class in an hour. Maybe the increased circulation of blood and prana will awaken the brain!

Speaking of yoga, this is one aspect of my daily routine that, lately, I've been a little slack on. I felt it today, getting out of bed, the return of that stiffness which makes me feel old and physically encumbered. I haven't done yoga but once since I left on my trip. Once I break a routine, why is it so difficult for me to simple “get back on board”?! Tonight I go to teach my yoga class wishing I was the student!

My sadhana practice has disappeared too. I want it back! But, I was so struggling due to reduced sleep that I had to to re-balance. I have come to the conclusion (and I will implement this more into my Ayurveda Private Practice) that in order of physical priority - food, sleep and moderation are the absolute fundamental foundational musts that have to be in balance before establishing the spiritual practices of sadhana. So, I have given myself permission to back track a little, to get more grounded in the 3 Pillars, before I move on to sadhana. I am also having to acknowledge that these Fall seasonal changes that are taking place really do mess with my body clock and natural rhythms. I really must allow an adjustment period to “get back into the groove” of sleeping with the rhythms of the sun and the season. Therefore, my new routine is the following:

1.5am wake up, bathe, yoga & prayer, quinoa or rice porridge for breakfast, and off to work by 6:20am
2.10am snack – sweet fruit
3.Noon lunch – largest meal
4.3 or 4pm snack – herbal tea or spiced milk
5.6pm dinner – lightest meal or spiced milk
6.8pm in bed, 9pm lights out!

I figure if I do this routine of lights out by 9pm for a few weeks, that I'll be better rested to then up my wake up time to 4am to do my sadhana.

I believe I can live with this and not consider it a failure (it's that Pitta part of me that would do that) to readjust my goals as I move through the year. I've booked learned so much and been taught at the feet of my teachers, but until I really get established in all of this knowledge, how can I live with integrity as an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga Instructor. Now, this being said, I must acknowledge that I have come a very long way. The woman I use to be never thought twice before eating a huge bowl of ice cream, 8 slices of pizza, or a bag of Doritios. That woman also was depressed, reactive, emotional, fatigued, and completely digestively out of balanced. So, the truth is, I have balanced in a lot of areas. It feels like now, that I am “fine tuning” my life. I really want to be in a position to speak from my heart the truth about every single aspect of what I am learning from personal experience. Yes, this is my goal – to be an Acharya of Ayurveda – One who is Established in the Truth.

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 32 - Goddess Cleanse

Dear Friends,

This week I am doing a special “Goddess Cleanse” which is actually part of Navaratri, which is a 9 Day & Night Spiritual Observance. My gurukula family in California is also observing Navaratri, and this is my way to not only connect spiritually with them, but to also cleanse knowing they are “sacrificing” as well. It comforts and supports me on some level.

The roots of Navaratri are in the Hindu and Vedic culture, reminding us of the blessings and grace of the Mother Goddess. The specific fast/cleanse lasts the entire 9 days. It is a spiritual fast to abstain from all foods that are not pure to the body or that are rajasic in any way. One eats only dairy products, fruits, nuts, and specific root vegetables. It is interesting, from my Ayurveda lenses, that the particular foods that one eats on this fast is also a brilliant way to reduce excess Pitta from the Summer months (while in the Fall) and to prepare for the excess of the Fire element (while in the Spring). This diet is also very grounding for the Vata Dosha, which is in excess during the transitional seasons of both Fall and Spring.

Even though I got a late start on this observance, I am still feeling the almost immediate benefits of clarity, groundedness, and serenity. I am constantly amazed that I continually am surprised how much a body is literally affected by food!!! I know this physically – I've seen the results time and again! I know this intellectually – I've studied and been taught the truth of this wisdom. And, I know this spiritually – I have witnessed the results and experienced the blessings of a purer body system. Yet, time and again, I am thrilled to discover the simplicity of how so much healing can occur simply by what you decide to put into your mouth! The saying “you are what you eat” is beyond obvious – it is Divine Truth.

This is the wisdom of Ayurveda:

-Food is medicine.
-Doshic appropriate, pure food balances the body.
-Food that is blessed becomes satvic and nourishing to the soul.
-Food that is eaten mindfully, chewed to even consistency, pacifies the Pitta dosha, allowing it to remain in its home within the lower stomach and small intestines.
-Food that is eaten in a serene environment, void of the Vata aggravating stimulus of passionate conversation, television, radio, and book reading, will digest properly, preventing the build up of ama (toxins) within the system.
-Food eaten in correct proportions will keep the digestive fire ignited and strong, versus dampening it and weakening digestion.
-Food will either nourish you or poison you.

This wisdom should be observed daily with each meal. It is the heart of conscious eating and mindful living.

May the next 5 days of Navaratri increase my awareness, deepen my understanding, ground me in wisdom, strengthen me in knowledge, and simply expand my love and understanding of my Divine Mother.

Prenam to Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

For more information on Navaratri

Day 31 - Surrendering

September 21, 2009

Dear Friends,

The quote of the day is from Deepak Chopra:

“Embrace what is, and not impose upon it what was or what could be.”

This is relevant to a discussion I had with a friend today. I asked him if he thought I was happy, and in the asking I knew the answer and immediately started crying - an embarrassed silent flow of tears. No, I was not happy. So as the tears streamed down my cheeks, and my friend sat there in awkward silence, I went inside and asked myself, “Why? Why am I unhappy? Is it true? When am I happy?” So, even though the tears came as a confession that I am not perfectly content, satisfied, or happy all of the time, it was necessary that I admit to myself the reality of my current state of being, for it is only in the awareness of imbalance that healing can begin, and yes, it is an imbalance to be unhappy – it is only a symptom of a system that is out of harmony with itself.

You see, because I am an Ayurvedic Practitioner and a Yoga Instructor, an unconscious feeling of having to be “perfect” seeps in. It is an ego trip and a mind game that is very unconscious until brought to the light and examined, which is what I got to do today! As I examined and “sat with” this revelation, I observed the feelings and thoughts that came up: No, I was not totally unhappy. I had very many happy and blissful moments quite regularly. But why did it not feel so now – or even lately? How did the unhappiness seep into me? It felt like it actually snuck up on me!

And then it struck me very forcefully, I was and am resisting “what is” in my life! I am trying to impose upon myself and my current reality, a “way of living and being” that is just not going to happen overnight. To become established in Ayurveda is a process, a journey, and a lifestyle. It is not an instant fix. It is not a “snap of the fingers” transformation. It is an evolution, a morphism, an alchemical reaction. Also, it is a spiritual path, and in being such, the tendency to “judge” can come into play (my Judeo-Christian background taught me a lot about inappropriate guilt and shame, judgment and self-righteousness – aspects of myself I am trying to de-program). My weaknesses and “imperfections” are merely foibles on the path of Right Living. I am OK. I have all of my needs met. I am not condemned to hell for all eternity for not being perfectly balanced, perfectly Perfect!!!

When I step into the Witnesser/Observer role, I am able to see much more clearly. I see perspective. I see that I am on the right path and heading in the direction of my dharma. I see with much more clarity that if I simply take one step at a time, bite off one morsel of wisdom at at time, then “in time” I will have gone quite far on my path. It is only when I resist what is the current reality and try to force something or create effort in my “achieving” - that the unhappiness seeps in. In truth, when I am completely present and in the moment, I am extremely happy! It is only when I'm worrying about the past or obsessing about the future, when I am completely not in the moment, that the unhappiness roars its ugly head, and literally drains me of my ojas, my vitality, my strength. This “not accepting” what is, this not being fully present, is a behavior that does not serve me. Ayurveda is about discovering that which supports and sustains, and adopting these behaviors more deeply into my life, and then letting go of things that do not support and sustain, - letting go of that which actually harms me.

So the solution? Remember to be present. Be surrendered. Be happy in the here and now. “Tomorrow is sufficient to the evil thereof.” (Jesus Christ) Collect all that is supportive into my life, and release all that is un-supportive. Do not force events and situations. Let life flow. Seek the path of least resistance, least effort, for God has really cleared the road before me. I just have to chose His Path, versus the rocks and gullys and surrounding ditches and holes...“Embrace what is, and not impose upon it what was or what could be.”

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 30 - Pacifying Pitta

September 20, 2009

Dear Friends,

Wow. Being a dominant Pitta is about being on fire 24/7, and it is this fire within, this intensity and passion which drives me, that is literally going to kill me if I don't more consciously balance it! My dear readers, please bare with me as I blog over the next year. For even though I have a sankalpa to really become established in Ayurveda, I am fully aware that as a dominant Pitta, I must be gentle with myself. I must actually practice NOT being perfect in this sankalpa! If you are aware that you are a dominant Pitta as well, you will completely understand this “prescription”. For, Pittas, in their quest for perfection, can be quite hard on themselves, a tendency which can manifest into other imbalances...

Therefore, I will not beat myself up for missing a day's blog. I will not beat myself up for missing a week of my sadhana while I tried to catch up on my rest from traveling. I will not beat myself up for eating Top Ramen tonight because I had a momentary lapse in judgement and self-care and sanity! I will not beat myself up for not doing yoga that last 4 days in a row! I will not beat myself up for NOT being Perfect in my Dharmas...

To the un-Ayurvedic mind these declarations may seem absurd. But, trust me, they are a necessary antidote to a consciousness (myself) who tends towards perfectionism, which is actually a disease of the Pitta constitution, a disease which can literally kill if left unchecked...

The Pitta dosha is made up of the Fire and Water element, being predominantly FIRE! So, the person with a Pitta constitution literally tends towards an excess in these two elements, predominantly FIRE! Therefore, since the underlying principle of healing within Ayurveda is to balance with the opposite elements and qualities, I will balance my fiery constitution with cooling therapies such as:

Tolerance
Compassion
Forgiveness
Acceptance
Love
Mantra: “Om Namah Shivayah” - I honor the Divine within.
Foods: increasing - cucumber, coconut, sunflower seeds, milk, ghee, mango, avocados, sweet fruits, oatmeal...& reducing – pungent spices, peppers, pickles, fermented products, sour and salty tastes, low prana foods...
Sleep under the full moon whenever possible
Lunar Pranayama
Asana twists and heart openers
Sit near water
Meditate on the color blue
Wear gold, pastel colors, and cooling blues and blue-greens
Take some gotu-kola, brahmi, rose, sandalwood, coriander, hyacinth...
Smile more
Smell essential oils of Rose, Lavender, Salndalwood, Ylang Ylang...
Never skip Sivasana!

So, dear friends, especially those Pittas out there, please join me on my balancing path of increasing moderation while reducing intensity, without, literally, putting out my fire! (Which, I'm pretty sure, is impossible to do!)

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Day 28 - Continued...

Dear Friends,

I have transfered all of my blogs from the website to this blog site. Please see below for the first part of Day 28.

This blog shift will all make sense later when the new website is revealed. Please enjoy a review of my previous writings and the 28 days of my 365 day Sankalpa to become established in Ayurveda.

May these offerings stir within your consciousness and awaken your inner Light.

Namaste, Gwen Nitya

Karma

Siddantha is Sanskrit for Law or Principle. It is "a fundamental, primary, or general truth from which others are derived". Karma Siddantha is the Law of Karma. What is Karma? Kriyati (to act) - to introduce into the field of existence, is Karma. The results of that action is Phala (fruit). So, Karma Phala, is the fruit or consequence of the kriyati/action/pulse that you "put out there". This is true for thought, word & deed, all of which have a vibration, an affect, and an effect.

We can apply this law of Karma to our Body Temple. Each bite of food we take is a choice, a Karmic Action, that's pulse will either support or not support our health and well-being. If we eat junk, junk is what we will manifest. If we eat purity, purity is what we will manifest. We are Choice Makers on this planet, and what we choose to put into our bodies does matter. The health within our circle of influence, i.e. our body, literally affects the world. We are sowing karmic seeds with every bite we take. Will we heal and protect and nourish our body & the world (microcosm/macrocosm) - or not?

Karma Siddantha applies to our minds as well. With each belief and thought we have, we either support or destroy. My 20 year journey of depression taught me the truth of this law. I only learned the truth of the power of my beliefs and thoughts in hindsight - after I was cured from the negative cycle of my then limiting mind. Ayurveda taught me the tool of mantra. Using mantra is using vibrational medicine. I first had to be aware of my negative patterns and thoughts. Awareness is the first step towards healting, and sometimes we have to take that step with faith. I knew I had a problem with depression, but I did not believe that a mantra could help me. But, I put my trust in Ayurveda, and did what my Ayurvedic Practitioner instructed me to do - use my mantra to replace my negative thoughts. Everytime I would notice that I was thinking in an unsupportive way, I would STOP the thoughts and replace them with a mantra. Vata gets aggravated every time a void is created. When taking away something, you must always replace it with something - even in the mind!

I was creating new Karma Phala with my mantra. Literally, I changed the vibration of my Mind/Soul/Body and literally, chemically, healed myself of depression. It was the power of many intentions - the intention to heal, the intention to be positive, the intention to trust Ayurveda, the intention to be whole. The entire process is a form of alchemy!

We can use Karma Siddantha to powerfully and intentionally heal, nourish and protect our individual ecosystem and the greater ecosystem of this planet. May the pulse that we emit balance and harmonize us all.

-Gwen Nitya

Prana & Prana Vayu

Prana is the life-force energy that exists within, without and throughout the entire Universe. It is one of "the three vital essences" (prana, tejas & ojas) and the subtle counterpart of the Vata dosha. Prana is a force brought into the physical body which also has the potential to enliven and empower the subtle and causal bodies, allowing for spiritual potentials to manifest. Dr. David Frawley teaches in his book, Yoga & Ayurveda, "Prana, the primal life-force, is the subtle energy of air as the master force and guiding intelligence behind all psychophysical functions, responsible for coordination of breath, senses and mind. On an inner level, it governs the unfoldment and harmonization of all higher states of consciousness."

Prana, as one of the 5 subdoshas of Vata, is called prana vayu. As prana vayu it functions as that force which moves prana from outside of the body to the inside of the body. It does this through each of the five senses, but primarily through the nose and the mouth. In other words, as we breath in prana through air, or swallow prana within food, this action occurs due to the prana vayu. This is how our body/mind/spirit is nourished and energized.

When the body is supported properly, prana enters, enlivens, and stablizes the body/mind/spirit system, creating a foundation for spiritual evolution to occur. This can only happen when pure prana is inhaled and eaten and also healthy impressions are taken in through the other three senses of sight, smell and touch. If disharmonious vibrations and impressions are taken in with prana vayu, dis-ease will manifest and, if left unchecked, will eventually lead to addictions. To prevent this, one must avoid unsupportive and even hostile impressions to enter via the five senses. Instead, consciously choose to take in only those vibrations which support, hamonize and heal - only those things which increase sattva (purity).

How do you feel when you take a walk in nature? Energized? Renewed? Enthused? How do you feel after eating a simple pure organic visually appealing and tasteful meal? Light? Satisfied? Content? How do you feel after a calm warm oil body massage? Relaxed? Refreshed? Whole? How do you feel after smelling a rose or inhaling sattvic essential oils? Enlivened? Gladdened? Restored?

This is because pure prana has entered and nourished you mind/body/soul.

If you routinely allow pure prana to enter, the body system will balance - creating space for spiritual evolution to occur. This takes consciousness. Living mindfully - awake to what prana is, how it serves us and how it blesses us, will heal and harmonize your individual ecosystem-body, strengthening you to continue forward on the path of enlightenment, allowing for the lotus bloom of joy to unfold in your life.

May you allow and create the space for pure prana to flow into you and throughout you.

-Gwen Nitya

Ama (Toxins)

We take in all of Life through the Five Senses, and everything which we ingest is then, ideally, digested by the body. This includes everything from what we see and hear to what we touch, smell and taste. All experiences are "eaten" by the body on a psychic and physical level, that is to say, the immaterial and the material are both absorbed into the Mind/Soul/Body system.

When the body's ojas is strong and of high quality, then the body's ability to protect and digest - is functioning properly. When this is the case, we are both "armored" and nourished. But, when ojas is low, or of poor quality, this guardian and consumer role of the body is compromised and ama is created. Ama (pronounced "ahhm" as in Tom) is directly translated from Sanskrit as "that which harms or weakens". It is the toxic psychic and physical residue that remains after digestion occurs. It can be an emotional ama - events and emotions that are experienced but not dealt with, that are literally held within the fat cells of the body. Or, it can be a physical toxic sticky undigested food residue which coats the inside of the digestive track and eventually evades and poisons the entire body over weeks, months or years. Ama does not serve or support the body and should be purged and elliminated from the system. Homeostasis cannot exist while ama brings imbalance.

Symptoms of ama in the ecosystem of the body are: coating on the tongue, gas, body odor, bad breath, sinking stools, fatigue, generalized pain, frequent infections, weak intentions, dull appetite, irritable elimination, and emotional eating patterns. If you have these symptoms -you have ama.

May the increased awareness of ama within the body system, spur your desire to balance and cleanse holistically through the following Ayurveda tools:

Lifestyle Counseling
5 Sense Therapies
Diet
Herbs
Meditation
Yoga
Pancha Karma
-Gwen Nitya

Ahimsa

Ahimsa is Sanskrit for Non-Violence. It is the first Yama in the list of universal ethical principals that Pantanjali codefied for the Path of Yoga. Ahimsa is the foundation of all other yogic practices. Is is the practice of doing no harm to any sentient being, which includes both the animal and plant kingdom. The more we practice ahimsa, the more our respect for life, including ourselves, increases. Ahimsa is simply the act of living consciously, with love, reverence and honor towards all of creation. In Ayurveda this includes the practice of ahimsa towards the Mind/Soul/Body.

Since Ayruveda acknowledges that we are Divine Beings, it is also acknowledged that the Body is a Temple. The man made temples that dot this earth are consecrated as holy and sacred places. In these sanctified temples guests are to be reverent, respectful and open to Spirit. It is the same with our bodies, our minds and our souls. We are to be reverent, respectful and open to Spirit as well!

We do this by bringing to the alter of our Temple - Sattva, one of the subtlest forces or qualities of Nature, which is refined, noble, pure, balanced, peaceful, whole and good. Traditionally when an offering is brought to a temple alter, it is done very consciously. Only the best, the purest, the most valued of gifts and blessings are placed on the alter of God. This offering is done with awareness and intention. Any rituals done, are performed mindfully and purposefully. Alter ceremonies are sacred sanctified intentions. Ahimsa applied to the body is sacred sanctified intention to be balanced.

We take into our bodies all of Life through our Five Senses. What we "take in" (what we see, hear, taste, smell and touch) is literally what we bring to our Temple Alter. If we honor this Mind/Soul/Body Temple, then we will apply ahimsa to this process. A foundational principle of Ayurveda is this - like increases like. To be pure, bring in that which is pure. To be holy, bring in that which is holy. To be kind, bring in that which is kind.

If you desire sattva in you life, then bring sattva into your body. Take in only those qualities of life that will honor you, serve you and support you. This is respecting the Temple Self. To do the opposite, is an act of violence to the Self and is not the yogic path.

May you practice Ahimsa towards your Self and to All.

-Gwen Nitya

The Tridoshas

All matter is made up of the Five Great Elements (Pancha Maha Bhutas). Within all sentient beings (all life forms that have sense organs), the five elements combine and pair up into energy forces known as the TriDoshas. Dosha, in Sanskrit, means "that which disturbs". The three Doshas are known as Vata, Pitta & Kapha. These energy forces, when they are in balance, maintain homeostasis within the ecosystem of the body. When out of balance, they literally disturb the equilibrium of the body and create disease.

Sentient life is very much connected to the ebb and flow of Mother Nature. The tides rise and fall. The seasons come and go. A life span has its cycle. Within our bodies, the doshas also move with Nature. If they are allowed to swell, peak, and fall, in their natural wave course, then harmony and homeostasis is maintained. But, if the doshas are not honored, if we are out of tune with Nature, if we are simply living in ignorance (numbing our way through life with excessive living or moving through our days on autopilot - unconscious, out of touch and unaware), then the Doshas rise, peak, overflow and accumulate. No natural fall or alleviation occurs, and disharmony and dis-ease results.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha each play a vital role in the creation of balance within our bodies. The ether and air elements pair up and create the Vata dosha. Vata is responsible for motion, movement, transportation, currents and flow. The fire and water elements pair up and create the Pitta dosha. Pitta is responsible for transformation, metabolism, radiance and heat. And, finally, the water and earth elements pair up and create the Kapha dosha. Kapha is responsible for stability, structure, lubrication and cohesiveness. It is the result of these three doshas, acting in harmony with Nature, that allows for homeostasis to exist within the ecosystem of sentient beings.

To live an Ayurvedic Life is to live in harmony with Nature. Ayurveda is about living consciously - intuned to the doshas within your body, and the gunas within your mind (subject for another day). Vata, Pitta and Kapha can serve us and guide us and aid us on our journey through this life. Knowing and honoring these forces is like owning the Sacred Blue Pearl and drinking the healing waters of the Fountain of Youth. Ayurveda can also be translated as the Science of Longevity, and it is the knowledge of how to work with the tridoshas that supports the long life span and the vital and thriving life.

May the knowledge of Vata, Pitta and Kapha unfold within you as you study Ayurveda.

-Gwen Nitya

The Five Great Elements

To understand the Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) you must first have the foundational knowledge of the Pancha Maha Bhutas, Sanskrit for the Five Great Elements. The underlying matrix or field of the Universe is an Ocean of Consciousness. As this Ocean of Consciousness unites with Itself (Purusha & Prakriti/Shiva & Shakti/Father & Mother...) the subtle reality condenses from energy to matter and finally into the 5 Elements: Akasha/Ether, Vayu/Air, Tejas/Fire, Aap/Water & Prithvi/Earth.

In the West we say that all of earth-matter is in either a solid, liquid, gas or plasma state. In the East it is Ether, Air, Fire, Water & Earth.

Akasha/Ether is the field in which all/everything/oneness exists. It is space, openness, connectness and vastness. We are all connected to each other through the subtle field of Ether. Ether is that element which exists among all of creation. It is the space "between" things, and also that which connects things. This element contains the qualities: cold, dry, light, subtle, flowing, static, sharp and clear. All of the other elements stem from Ether.

Vayu/Air is the idea of motion. Everything moves, transports, crosses over, under and thru - because of the Air element. At the atomic level, it is the electrons spinning around the nucleus. At a grosser level, it is the force that moves the blood through our veins and the thoughts through our mind. Because of air, we feel the wind on our face, the ocean waves rise and fall, the tectonic plates rub and collide, a butterfly spreads its wings and an infant smiles. This element contains the qualities: cold, dry, light, subtle, flowing, mobile, sharp, hard, rough and clear. The Air element is the force which allows motion to occur; it is the only element that is inherently mobile.

Tejas/Fire is the idea and force behind transformation and metabolism. It is literally light and heat. It is the potential thermal heat and power that exists at the nucleus of an atom. Fire is the element that converts or changes one state of matter into another. For example, because of Fire, wood is transformed into ash, a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly, and a seed is transformed from a sprout to a tree. Within the body, the fire element transforms food into energy, light and images into ideas and thoughts, carbs into sugar or fat, and the pungent taste into acid and bile. This element contains the qualities: hot, dry, light, mobile, subtle, static, flowing, sharp, rough and clear. It is the only element inherently hot. Fire ignites, burns, metabolizes, heats and transforms all other elements. Its illumination dispels ignorance and strengthens truth.

As matter condenses even more, the element of Aap/Water comes into existance. Water is the force and idea of cohesiveness and fluidity/liquidity. At the atomic level, it is that which allows molecules to bond. It is the surface tension on water, and water itself. It is blood, mercury, sap, juice - any state of matter that is fluid. It is mucous and pus, saliva and oil. This element contains the qualities: cold, moist, heavy, gross, flowing, static, cloudy, smooth, soft and dull. It is the only element that is inherently moist. Water is the element which allows for softness, empowering love and compassion to be strengthened in the mind.

Fnally, matter condenses to the point where it is completely static. Prithvi/Earth element comes into existance. Earth is that element which provides stability and solidity. At the atomic level, the solid state is formed. Atoms and molecules bind so close together that electrons are shared among each other and movement of the solid requires more force. The Earth element is seen as dirt, rock, mountain, steel, wood, bone, and cellular walls. It is that which provides structure. This element contains the qualities: cold, dry, heavy, gross, dense, static, hard, dull, solid, rough and cloudy. Earth in the body gives strength and in the mind empowers mental stability.

We see the Pancha Maha Bhutas all around us. Everything on this earth plane contains all 5 elements. Some things and some people are just more dominant in one element or another. As you walk through your day, take a look around you and "see" Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. See them in your back yard, on the streets where you live, in your place of work or at the haven of your retirement. Notice both the literal elements and the metaphors or ideas they represent. Connecting with Mother Nature on an elemental level is part of Ayurvedic healing. Explore and have fun getting familiar with these states of existance, for as you do, your ability to explore both the gross and subtle realms will be enhanced, and your ability to grasp the idea of the Tridoshas (the foundation of Ayurveda) will be strengthened. As you honor the Pancha Maha Bhutas, they will honor you.

-Gwen Nitya

Creating Your Own Reality

If you want to have a new experience on a physical level, then you need to change your consciousness. Ayurveda is about transforming consciousness. Ahamkara, our Self-Identity, creates our experience in life. Death of Ahamkara needs to occur - death of the ego. This "death" is seeing the Truth, the Reality of Life.

You are today the sum total of all your decisions/choice and actions that you've made through out your life. So, we have to take responsibility - NOT blame for our life.

The first stage of Spirituality is Awareness: What have I created?

The second stage is trying different actions. Actions are not easy to sustain unless we change our thoughts. Thoughts also, if not changed, can interfere with our actions. Be an observer of our thoughts. Become a conscious thinker. The unconscious thinker is acting out of habit. When we can observe thoughts that are not supportive - then awareness/witness can happen. Observe the words that come out of your mouth. For example, do you use the word "disharmonious" versus "bad"? New patterns of thought are essential to creating new patterns in life. Think congruent thoughts with what you want to create.

How you feel determines how you think. Feelings are the bridge between the conscious and the subconscious minds. How you feel generates your thoughts. Negative feelings lead to negative thought dramas. Become conscious of how you are feeling. The Witness can check in.

So your feelings stem from your perceptions. You can take conscious control of your feelings. Feelings are illusions - they are transient. What generates feelings are your perceptions - how You see and perceive the world. They are subconscious.

Perceptions are generated by what you believe.

So, to create your own reality, remember, you are controlling the illusion:

*Beliefs create Perceptions

*Perceptions create Feelings

*Feelings create Thoughts

*Thought creates Actions

*Actions determine Results (Reality)

Ask yourself: What reality do you want to create? Are your actions, thoughts, feelings and beliefs all in alignment with that reality?

This is the root of Ayurveda Psychology. These are lecture notes I was blessed to be able to take from Dr. Marc Halpern, founder and director of the California College of Ayurveda. His resource was the Methodology of Understanding Vedanta.

-Gwen Nitya

Meal Sadhana

Sadhana is bringing sacred awareness to ordinary activities. The purpose of meal sadhana is to remember that the act of eating is a sacred experience. It is the art of eating consciously. It is setting your intention at each meal to consecrate this food to the nourishment of your body/mind/soul, to eat mindfully the most holy of foods, and to eat in such as way as to support the best digestion possible.

When beginning the act of meal sadhana, we offer a prayer. We literally bless the food, increasing the vibrational energy of our "offering" with the power of our words. Dr. Masaru Emoto is teaching the world on the power of words over matter. Recently introduced to me is the Japanese word Hado, which is the "intrinsic vibrational pattern at the atomic level in all matter. The smallest unit of energy. Its basis is the energy of human consciousness." When we bless something with words we literally infuse it with Light. Dr. Emoto says, "...beautiful words create beautiful nature, ugly words create ugly nature. This is the root of the universe." Ayurveda confirms and teaches this "new discovery" - blessing our foods before we eat them, is balancing and healthy for the body/mind/soul.

Since the act of eating is the same as bringing an offering to the temple alter. Will you bring an offering that is less than worthy of your temple? No. Our temple is divine, worthy of the very best - fresh organic whole foods. Eating foods that have been frozen or canned or processed with chemicals, is like freezing your own body at night before you go to bed, and then expecting yourself to get up and go to work the next morning after you've been thawed out! No life-force is no-prana-value! Dead is dead in this material world. The goal of eating truly nourishing foods is to eat high prana foods, i.e. foods that still have lots of prana in them. Prana is the vital life force energy from the universe that nourishes us - body/mind/soul. Without prana on this plane, we would have no physical/material life. We take in prana in two ways - through the nose via breath, and through the mouth via the foods we eat. To eat high prana food is to offer the most holy of foods to our divine self.

Finally, with meal sadhana, we eat in such a way as to support complete digestion. Ayurveda teaches that if food enters the system and is not entirely digested, the remaining residue will turn to ama (toxins) in the system. Signs of ama are: coating on the tongue, gas, body odor, bad breath, fatigue and stools that sink. To ensure that food is properly digested we should adopt some meal habits: 1) Take three deep breaths before eating to calm the nervous system, 2) eat sitting down and in a calm environment, 3) chew your food to even consistency, 4) eat till you are 75% full and at a moderate pace, 5) rest for 15 to 20 minutes after you eat before moving on to other activities. These are the top 5 meal sadhana habits.

Meal sadhana is the first step in Ayurvedic lifestyle support for the health of the body/mind/soul. It is this sacred act of eating consciously that supports all other health and wellness endeavors. May your meal sadhana truly nourish and feed your entire self.

-Gwen Nitya