FOOD FOR THOUGHT: TRANSITIONS AND NEW CHAPTERS!
/It’s not just about a “New Year” but also a “New Season.” We are past the winter solstice where that is the darkest night of the year and now the sun begins to rise in the sky a little more each day. A new chapter is beginning and another new opportunity to affirm what is important for our well-being. Is it material? Is it money (which falls under the material category)? In Ayurvedic Science and Philosophy, there is a core principle called Purusarthas, which means the four components and/or goals of human life. The first one is “Dharma,” which represents our purpose and this varies for each and every one of us as we honor our own expression of divine manifestation within a human body. The second one is “Artha,” which involves material gain and this relates to what materials in this world we hold to be true and important for us. The Third one is “Kama,” which is about the enjoyment of these gains and pleasure in experiencing our purpose on our individualized journeys. Finally, the fourth component is “Moksha” and this includes the aspect of liberation from all of this as we are connected to a deeper meaning of life.
Ayurveda is a system of medicine that was meant to support human beings in maintaining health and prevention of disease so that we can accomplish the goals of the Purusarthas. Ayurveda wasn’t meant as a spiritual system with the intention of enlightenment as the primary goal. The main purpose of Ayurveda was meant to support living your life and enjoy it healthily and happily.
That being said, Ayurvedic Professionals are meant to meet each individual exactly where they are and support them in accomplishing these higher goals. it is an involving process, for some more than others, but the outcome is still intended to be the same which is to be happier and healthier within this perceived continuum of time and within this experience of being alive. We are connected to nature, as Loka-Purusha Samya (Macrocosm-Microcosm Similarities) core principle (siddhanta) states. It is this connection to nature that we can find ourselves more at ease in this body experience, and this disconnection from nature is what is one of the main causes (nidana, etiology) of disease. The panchamahabhutas, five great elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space, are the primary factors that surround us and that comprise us.
These five elements exist in subtle ways in our day to day, and overt ways as seen through the seasons themselves. We can identify our relationship with these elements and see a correlation, for example, when we enter a season and either the qualities/characteristics (gunas) of that season either provokes a pre-existing symptom or alleviates it. In some cases, some pre-existing symptoms may become aggravated even before a season has fully approached and even in these cases that is some valuable information in learning about health/disease pathology. In general, his also tends to be true even with understanding different times of the day where symptoms come and go accordingly. As we transition through the seasons, this tends to be when many people become ill but that doesn’t have to be the case. Having the right tools which consist of the scientific applications and practices of Ayurveda is a profound way to manage health and regain much, if not all, of health from disease.
Please remember that the body is a historical system and requires various levels of consistency for health. The process of Ayurveda is one about commitment and dedication in order to ensure a higher level of success. Besides, why wouldn’t you want to commit to it? The long-term benefits by far outweigh the short-term sacrifices to superficial desires that can potentially cause harm. Many times I have heard “we are going to die of something anyway” and my response has always been “yes, that’s true because what is born must die BUT we don’t have to die falling apart or before the time we were intended to have. In Yogic Science and Philosophy there is an understanding that the original yogi’s understood which was that each and every one of us is born with a certain number of breaths. That number doesn’t really change but our choice to speed up the breaths, like a dog breathing fast, or slow down the process, like a turtle breathing slower and deeper, is up to us and there are practices we can put into place that will either support or deny our goals of healthy, happiness and well-being.
Below you will find some articles previously written that can help guide you in learning more about yourself and how to steer your way into better health as you make your way into the next phase of the years’ cycle.
RELEVANT ARTICLES:
DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only and not considered medical advice. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and/or primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.