Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth, “You owe Me.”
Look what happens with a love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky.
—Hafiz
A few years back, I reached a point where I simply could no longer continue to work in the corporate healthcare world, to which I had belonged for over twenty years. I stopped believing in myself as a healer and was simply going through the motions of my job, slowly going insane inside.
While these past couple of years have challenged the concrete foundations of my upbringing and dampened our family’s income, clearly the time had come to align my actions with my heart! Thus, I opened the door to the immensely fulfilling world of Ayurveda. As Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj eloquently expressed:
“All you need is already within you, only you must approach yourself with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-distrust are grievous errors. Your constant flight from pain and search for pleasure is a sign of love you bear for yourself, all I plead with you is this: make love of yourself perfect.”
There is an undeniable shift in the currents now, beckoning us to bring waves of positive energy to ourselves and the planet. Let us listen to our intuition and begin the process of upliftment, at whatever place that is for each of us on our journeys. Just as the sun, without fail, lovingly radiates warm energy unto Mother Earth every day, Ayurveda gives us principles of loving self-care to guide us back home.
First, good eating is of utmost importance to self-care. Our bodies digest heavier foods (dairy, meat, corn, pastries) best between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm when the digestive fire is strongest. So, eating a large lunch, medium breakfast and light dinner, suits most body types. So, as tempting as crème brulee or chocolate pudding are after dinner, resisting the urge will serve you well. Lighter foods, such as rice, barley, millet and vegetables, can be consumed in larger quantities. As per Ayurveda, the proper quantity of food taken in the evening will not disturb the equilibrium of doshas (air, fire, earth/water elements) or tissues of the body and will be digested by morning time; evacuating the bowels first thing in the morning is confirmation of that. Taking dinner by 6:00 pm prevents the buildup of toxins in the gut. Finally, exercise which aids in the metabolism of food without overexertion is also helpful to maintaining health.
Good oral hygiene is also an important aspect of self-care. Ayurveda recommends anu taila, or medicated oil (under the guidance of an ayurvedic practitioner), to be instilled in to the nostrils for short time periods on days when it is not cloudy. This technique can be effective at preventing headaches, relieving facial tension, and clearing phlegm from nasal passage ways. Tongue scraping and gargling with sesame oil removes obstructions from the back of the throat and strengthens the gums and teeth.
Applying sesame oil to the head ensures the sense organs are working effectively and helps provide sound sleep and contentment. Similarly, instilling oil into the ears can prevent viral illnesses, deafness, and other diseases due to derangements of the air and space elements. Oiling the whole body makes the skin smooth and strong and less susceptible to injury. Finally, oiling the feet softens the cracks and fissures of the soles and is a soothing way to fall asleep at night. It also improves eye sight, as the feet and eyes are connected by a nerve conduction pathway.
We’ve all enjoyed a long, hot shower after a tiring day. Bathing not only purifies the body by removing sweat and smells, but it also enhances vital energy (ojas) per Ayurveda. And wearing clean garments after our bath brings pleasure and auspiciousness to our day. Natural fragrances provide upliftment to our mood and a sense of charm to our personality. I can remember on many occasions, when visiting family in India, fastening a small garland of jasmine flowers bought at the roadside, to my braid. Even now, I can smell the beautiful scent and smile. Last, but not least, dressing and cutting our hair and nails improves our sense of beauty and longevity of life.
Life is precious, and we need to make the time to rejoice in taking care of our bodies, minds and spirits. Especially at this time, the commitment to self-love is indeed a way of giving to our whole universe. “Our lives are given us; therefore, our default state is gratitude. It is the truth of our existence”, says Charles Eisenstein. In other words, life is a gift. Let’s take care of ourselves so we may spread our wings and take care of each other as well.
Blessings!
Uma Hingorani
References:
- Ram Karan Sharma and Vaidya Bhagran Dash, Agnivesa’s Caraka Samhita, Varanasi, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Studies (2019). Vol. I: ISBN 978-81-7080-012-9
- Eisenstein, Charles. Sacred Economics: Money, Gift and Society in the Age of Transition. Copyright © by Charles Eisenstein, 2011. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California.
