Day 17 - Ayurvedic Journey
“May we harness body and mind to see The Lord of Life, who dwells in everyone.”
Asato Sadgamaya
asato mā sadgamaya - From ignorance, lead me to truth;
tamasomā jyotir gamaya - From darkness, lead me to light;
mrityormāamritam gamaya - From death, lead me to immortality
Oṁ śhānti śhānti śhāntiḥ - Om peace, peace, peace
*It is believed that the recitation of these verses bring peace
Lisa Bermudez, E-RYT 500, YACEP, Ayurvedic Wellness Coach
Dinacharya - Day 4 of self-care with Lisa Bermudez - Full Reading HERE
Self Care Through The Lens of Ayurveda: Self Care For Eyes (Fire)
Rose water in the eyes is a practice to cultivate in the morning upon waking or any time you feel like you need cooling throughout the day (after working on the computer for a long period of time or any time you feel like your eyes are heated or strained). Be sure to use rose hydrosol (which doesn't contain essential oils or alcohol). I love Eden Botanicals and Heritage Store.
A medicine of rose is that the scent of rose allows us to see God's grace in our lives.
“Many have sight but few have vision”
Liz Glover Wilson, E-RYT 500, YACEP, Ayurvedic Wellness Coach
Sadhana - Day 4 of Spiritual Readings with Liz Glover Wilson - Full Reading HERE
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED
I admit that I was fighting those feelings of discouragement as 2020 came to a close. I had fought hard (on my knees in prayer daily) and yet, my relationship still fell apart, my businesses were struggling, and I just felt the fog closing in.
As I was settling into my new residence, I found myself —with cup of coffee in hand—staring out the window and praying.
Day 4 - Sadhana - ANAHATA CHAKRA
The fog was thick and I could not see the ridge. I felt this uplifting message speak to my heart. . .
Even though the fog is there, you know that the ridge has not moved. It is there and it is strong and unmoving. That is how a life with the Divine is.
That message was like a healing balm to my soul. From then on, each time I felt discouragement knocking on my hearts door, I remembered that vision and message. The divine pure consciousness of God is strong and unmoving. I may not see it always through the fog and sludge of life, but through my daily practice I am stronger in my ‘knowing’ that it is there.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right [sattvic and pure] spirit within me”
Erik Phillips-Nania, RYT-200, Author - Climate Change Yoga
Seva - Day 4 of Planet Care with Erik Phillips-Nania
Hymn to the Earth
The Gayatri Mantra represents the quintessence of the Vedas: a prayer to Brahman to enlighten us, to offer ourselves to the Supreme Lord who dwells within and in all elements of the universe. This daily task of a Brahmin Priest and the Climate Yogi enables success and accomplishments in other rituals. It’s about enlightening our consciousness and intellect.
The purpose of Gayatri is to bestow the poet with Atman, Savitar, and Samadhi consciousness, where we can illuminate the world, protect the world, distribute wealth, gifts, and beauty, chase away distress, sorrow, and sickness, go between heaven and earth, give of immortality, and to be a Friends of the People. These are the first few qualities the Rigveda bestows upon Savitar, and the ecstatic poet.
Samadhi is triggered with the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra (Rigveda 3.62.10). This mantra bestows wisdom and enlightenment and is performed daily at sunrise. It includes adoration for Savitur, the Divine Mother, source of all light and life; and our illumination and inspiration. This marks the beginning of the study and practice of Yoga, including Climate Yoga, the practice of sacred knowledge of forces of nature.
In the book, Healing Mantras, the Gayatri Mantra is described as the essence of all mantras. Among the millions of mantras, Gayagtri is universally considered the essence of them all. It contains the essential vibration of the upper luminous spheres of light and all spiritual powers within.
It is a meditation on spiritual light, for the purpose of enlightening the mind
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ
Tat-Savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
Japa Mantra: Repeat this 108 times.
Translation:
We meditate on the excellent glory of the Supreme Divine
The Sun, whose divine light illuminates all;
May this divine light enlighten our understanding.
Here is a version from Deva Premal that is lovely and beautiful to follow along.
Meaning of Each Word:
Om: The primeval sound, connection with Atman-Brahman-Self and satcitananda; Bhur: the physical body/physical realm; Bhuvah: the life force/the mental realm; Suvah: the soul/spiritual realm;
Tat: That (God); Savitur: the Sun; Inti: Creator (source of all life), Divine Mother; Vareñyam: adore;
Bhargo: effulgence (divine light); Devasya: supreme Lord; Dhīmahi: meditate; (4) Dhiyo: the intellect; Yo: May this light; Nah: our; Prachodayāt: illumine/inspire.
Spiritual Planes:
Bhuhr, first chakra, Earth plane
Bhuvaha, second chakra, atmospheric plane
Swaha, third chakra, solar region
Tat Savitur Varenyam, the realm of Truth byond human comprehension
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodaya, the place where all the celestials of all the spheres have received enlightenment.
The Gayatri mantra plays an important role in uplifting the entire species. Whether your goals are personal or altruistic, this manta has great benefit.
“Can earth be Earth when all its trees are gone,
And sudsy waters have become unfit,
And poisoned life no longer greets the dawn
With raucous sounds that death has caused to quit?
Will trees no longer wave, with limbs unfurled,
On hapless earth, that ever in orbit roams?
Will human ego sacrifice the world
To satiate its lust for pompous homes?
Will distant space look down on orb that’s bald.
I now can hear the mother say,
”I was once called Earth.
But now, bereft of mirth, I weep.
That treeless orb’s no longer Earth
”
Kapalabhati
Kapalbhati (also Kapalabhati) Pranayama — (kah-pah-luh-BAH-tee prah-nah-yah-muh) — is a yogic breathing technique. It consists of short, powerful exhales and gentle inhales. This technique internally tones and cleanses the respiratory system of toxins. At the same time, it purifies, rejuvenates, and refreshes the body and mind.
The important thing to remember for this exercise is that your inhale is passive and your exhale is the forceful, powerful movement. Start this practice at a slow pace, and with time you can build some speed if it feels comfortable for you to do so.
Sit comfortably in an upright posture and rest your hands on your lower belly. If you’re sitting in a chair, make sure to place both feet on the ground.
Take a deep, cleansing breath before you begin, in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Inhale deeply through your nose, filling your belly with air about ¾ way full.
In a quick motion, forcefully expel all the air from your lungs while drawing your navel in toward your spine. The primary movement is from your diaphragm.
Allow your lungs to fill up naturally, with no effort as your belly expands.
Perform this cycle 10 times, then allow your breathing to return to normal and observe the sensations in your body.
Repeat these cycles of 10 movements, 3 to 4 times.
Contraindication: Do not practice Kapalabhati if you are pregnant, or if you have high blood pressure, acid gastric issues, heart disease, or abdominal pain. You should also stop or slow down if you feel dizzy or anxious.