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.
