Greetings!
Summertime . . . and the living is easy . . . (to be sung, not read 🙂 ) Michigan summers are the reward for the “character building” weather the rest of the year. Michigan is alive with sunshine – to embolden our attitude; rain – to water our gardens and to cool us; lakes and rivers – to move us; and a huge range of vibrant fruits and vegetables grown right here – to nourish our bodies and souls. We also have the occasional thunderstorm to startle us into appreciation of magnificence.
With all this energy, summer is a wonderful time to build our Ojas (oh-jus). Ojas is a Sanskrit word which means “that which invigorates”. According to Ayurveda, a high level of Ojas brings bliss and happiness. It is the vital life force energy that courses through our mind-body. Ojas is also thought to be the most refined state of physical matter according to Ayurveda wisdom but has not yet been discovered by tools of modern science. It is what is extracted from food, once it has been perfectly digested. What we eat nourishes our physical body and our emotions. Ojas at its full potential, creates energy in all we do. When Ojas is depleted, our immune system is compromised and we experience a breakdown in our normal emotional and physical systems. Living in balance, in a way that is pure and close to nature, increases our Ojas. Here’s to an Ojas summer!
Making Vigor!
Ojas is vigor. Vigor is not magically bestowed by a fairy godmother or blessed toad. You guessed it: we make or diminish our own vigor for life. When we eat fresh, ripe, pure fruits and vegetables we are taking in not only the nutrients but we are also absorbing the energetic Ojas of those foods. When we walk in the sunshine, we take in Vitamin D and, as we also appreciate Nature on our walk, we are boosting our ojas reception. When Ojas is maximized in us, all with whom we come in contact will benefit. The people in our life are lifted, our plants are healthier, our pets are shiny, our children glow.
By creating an abundance of Ojas within, we remember our divine wholeness and experience vigor that is evident in our radiant skin, shining eyes, strong body, good digestion, overall luster, and feelings of bliss. Here are some ideas to add to ones that you may have for building Ojas:
- Eat a sattvic (pure, clean, and wholesome) diet – fresh, local, organic milk, ghee, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, mung beans, dates, honey, pure oils like olive oil.
- Eat to balance your imbalanced doshas (take the free assessment).
- Turn your attention to what brings you bliss and joy. Do not repress worrisome thoughts but do not entertain them. Attend and release.
- Avoid drugs, alcohol and processed foods.
- Stay active daily – 30 minutes of walking, yoga or other exercise.
- Get enough sleep.
- Meditate.
- Eat in a peaceful environment; honor your food and those around you.
- Eat with consciousness noticing smells, tastes, and colors.
- Avoid using ice in your drinks. Ice slows your digestion and can cause indigestion and weight gain.
- Eat mostly cooked food as it is easier to digest however raw food in moderation in the summer season is OK.
Don’t get overwhelmed by a list like this . . . just request the travel upgrade for the trip you are already on. Choose a few things, try them out, notice the difference and then watch as you are naturally drawn to more healthy choices. Be well and prosper.
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