Friday, April 25, 2014

Something Old: The Science of Ayurveda, 2+2= 10,000 didn't you know?, and UFO's (Unwanted Filling Organisms!)...

Something Old:  The Science of Ayurveda

The Science of Ayurveda is the ancient science of the knowledge of life that comes from India.  It is a science that delves deeply into the wisdom of life.  It is a qualitative science that provides the understanding of the elements, principles, or forces, present in the body-mind- emotions-spirit system that are unique to each individual, both at conception (PRAKRUTI) and in our current state of being (VIKRUTI). Understanding the ratio & proportions, qualities, interrelationships and tendencies of the elements, principles or forces, within the body-mind-emotions-spirit system (Microcosm) and in relationship to our immediate external environment (Macrocosm) is key to understanding Ayurveda and it’s tools to healing and to staying in balance and harmony throughout one’s life.



According to Ayurveda there are five basic elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. These elements of creation manifest in the Macrocosm (the Universe) and in the Microcosm (human beings). In the human being they manifest in our body-mind-emotion-soul system. The five elements combine in different ratios and proportions in the human being and manifest as three doshas: Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water), Kapha (Earth and Water).  Each one of us is a manifestation of unique ratios and proportions of the elements. This unique manifestation is our essential constitution. Our PRAKURTI. When the elements within us are in balance with our essential constitution, we have radiant health of body-mind-emotions-soul. When out of balance, when the ratios and proportions of the elements within us are out of balance with our essential constitution, we find ourselves in the path of disharmony and dis-ease.

Our PRAKRUTI is our essential constitution, or constitution at conception. It is our unique individual foundation.  It is the specific ratio & proportions of the elements within our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies at the moment of conception.  We are born with very specific qualities that set specific physical, emotional, mental and spiritual patterns within us.  Our PRAKRUTI reveals the blueprint of the innate tendencies that have been built into our system. It also reveals our genetic imprint and ancestral conditions & limitations, tendencies & patterns, that very much affect who we are and our state of being.  It provides us with deep and specific understanding of our body-mind-emotion-spirit system and the effects the different proportions of the elements and forces have in our present condition.  Who we are, in body, mind, emotions and spirit is a direct reflection of our PRAKRUTI constitution.   Through deeply understanding our constitution we can gain further understanding of these manifestations and tendencies and reclaim ownership of ourselves and bring balance into our lives by balancing the ratios and proportions of the Elements present within us.  Knowing our constitution is key to knowing our foundation, to “knowing our uniqueness, our hidden potentials, our challenges and lessons along with our gifts” (Ayurveda Tongue Diagnosis).

Our VIKRUTI is our current constitution. It is the current proportions of the elements present in our body-mind-emotions-spirit system that leads to ease (when VIKRUTI and PRAKRUTI are the same or close), or dis-ease (when VIKRUTI and PRAKRUTI are very different).

Knowing our PRAKURTI and our VIKRUTI is key to knowing which ‘road map’ we need to follow to lead a healthy balanced life.  The closer our VIKRUTI is to our PRAKURTI the more harmony and health we will experience. 

Ayurveda also basis it’s philosophy on the Law of the Macrocosm and Microcosm. This law states that every element, natural force and principle that exists in the external Cosmic Universe (Macrocosm) also exists within us, within our body-mind-emotion-spirit system (Microcosm). Any changes or disturbances that affect the Macrocosm will have a similar affect of the Microcosm. “Everything affects everything else, and everything is in constant change” and “Like increases Like, Opposites heal” are two core concepts of Ayurveda. This interconnectedness and interrelationship is key to Ayurveda as a tool for natural deep root healing. When we become aware of the power of alignment and change in the Macrocosm, to change and balance the Microcosm, we allow ourselves to experience profound transformational healing, personal growth, well-being and transpersonal healing. We align ourselves with the laws of nature and Cosmic Universal Consciousness.

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to healing and to understanding our inherited gifts and limitations to follow a path of peace & harmony, health & happiness. It is the deepest and most complete source of knowledge and wisdom that acknowledges our individuality and the many layers of our existence. It acknowledges the journey, the healing, our inherited constitutions, and provides the tools for deep root healing instead of symptom based healing, once our present constitution is off balance.

Ayurveda is a system that believes in the prevention of disease, it is a tool that offers clarity and an abundance of information on how to stay healthy & vibrant, or bring ourselves back to well-being through cleansing practices and staying in tune with our own constitution, balancing the Elements, forces and principles within us through diet, herbs, essential oils, breathwork, movement, emotional bodywork, meditation, crystals, daily life-style practices and weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly purification practices. It is a system that flows with the energy of the seasons, the times of the day, the life stages, and our overall lifestyle.  It is a system that understands that the whole of our actions is greater than every individual action we take, there you go, 2+2= 10,000!.  Everything we do or not do, will have an effect on us, towards health building or towards misalignment and eventually disease building.

Ayurveda aims at providing the path for us to align our body-mind-emotion-spirit system in prefect harmony with Universal Cosmic Consciousness and for us to reach our fullest potential.

If you want to find out more about Ayurveda and would like to find out more about your PRAKURTI and VIKRUTI constitutions, there are two books I recommend: 

* Ayurveda the Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad
* Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis by Walter 'Shantree' Kacera, D.N., Ph.D.


From the Rawllygood Kitchen

Ayurveda uses spices and herbs to charge, cool or heat the food in ways that would be beneficial to our constitutions.  Anyone, regardless of the type of foods you eat, can benefit from the healing qualities of herbs and spices, within their subtle existence they are rich with healing power and abilities to heat, cool, energize, build and detoxify.

In India, herb & spice combination of seasoning blends are called Masalas.  Masalas are easy to make and great to use in anything from soups (raw & cooked), to salads, to beans, to stews.  Making them at home guarantees us that we are using wholesome ingredients with no extra UFO's in our food.  I know what you are thinking.... since when do we have UFO's in our food, right?, right.  Well, for the past nearly almost 70 years or so, they infiltrated our food system, and sadly they are everywhere in our food industry today.  So... I can see you scratching you head, mmh, UFO's really? what is this girl going on about?  So I must disclose:  UFO= Unwanted Filling Organisms! indigestible additives that overtime will build disease and disharmony within our body systems and that have absolutely no right to be in our food systems! :)




Raw with Everything Masala-  great with raw soups, or mixed in for raw crackers, raw sliders, raw dehydrated goodies!
8 cardamon pods
4 tsp mustard seeds
4 tsp coriander seeds
4 tsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp cumin seeds
Blend in a spice mill or coffee grinder to a fine powder. Enjoy!



Nala Masala- a great addition to any drink!, I love using this one with my teas, chai, and elixirs!

1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp cardamon
Blend in a spice mill or coffee grinder to a fine powder.





Events coming up

Sunday June 8th, 9am-5pm, Homesteading for Raw Nutrition-
Presented by Phill Collins owner of Foggy River Farms and co-founder of Fresh City Farms, and myself.

Location: The Realign Ranch. 8641 Concession 2. Mt Albert, On (conveniently located 15 minutes East of Newmarket, or 12 minutes west of Uxbridge).


Join us for this full day combination seminar and hands-on workshop. Learn about the benefits of raw nutrition while Natalie demonstrates how easy it is to create simple nutritious meals for you and your family. Natalie will be demonstrating and talking about the benefits and healing aspects of juicing, smoothies, fermenting, dehydrating, super foods, sprouting and more! Phil will talk about many of the nutritionally dense foods that anyone can grow in their own landscape, tree planting and garden bed preparation, permaculture design elements and principles used to design the Mandala Gardens at the Realign Ranch. Hands on activities include meal preparation, tree planting and garden bed preparation.

We will end the day with a walking meditation.

Included in the workshop are raw breakfast and raw lunch.
Each participant will receive up to 10 select seedlings to start their own garden.
For more information and to register for the full day workshop, please visit http://restorativefarming.com/workshops/may-3rd-raw-nutrition-home-gardening-workshop


Quote of the Day
"As we embrace our passions and delve into the mystery of life, we unite with the majestic complexity of nature; and if we follow the signs, this can help us understand who we really are".- Sebastian Pole, Discovering the True You with Ayurveda: How to Nourish, Rejuvenate and Transform your Life.