Meditation: the Art of Achieving Bliss

Meditate: v. focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. Latin, meditari, meaning 'measure'.

Meditation is not generally of common practice among Westerners, especially the young and hip who are always on the go- using their iphone for instant information and communication, facebook to keep track of their social life from a safe, digital distance, always running from place to place without taking time to sit and... well... BE. True, the rise of yoga has helped many get a taste of the nectar, but most people in today's world just can't sit still for that long. Especially here in NYC, where my community of artist friends buzzes like a hive- the day begins somewhere in the afternoon with emails and facebook and lots of coffee, continues to some form of work which lasts till the evening, and then the real day begins with performance and socialization, often ending somewhere between midnight and daybreak with a crash of alcohol-induced slumber. Oh yes, I've been there.

In the definition above from the Oxford Dictionary of English, it says that the word 'meditation' stems from a Latin word which means 'measure'. Balance. Space. Taking stock. To measure something is to gain an awareness of its proportion. To meditate is to gain awareness of our own proportion, of our own EXISTANCE.

In Pratima Raichur's book "Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda", Doctor Pratima defines the five 'strata' of existance according to the teachings of Ayurveda:

Consciousness (Anandamaya kosha) Bliss (samadhi) She describes the pure essence of consciousness as that feeling which we experience oh-so-briefly at the moment of waking, before our first thought occurs. This is what it is to simply "be", to "exist".

Ego (Viganamaya kosha) Individuality, intellectual or elevated mind, feeling, intuition, desire, values.

Mind (Manomaya kosha) Discrimination, decision making, control of behavior and attention.

Breath (Pranamaya kosha) Vital energy of the body.

Body (Annamaya kosha) Pysical substance of the body (bones, muscles, organs, tissues, etc.).

When we meditate, we are giving ourselves the opportunity to balance the five 'strata' listed above. Is our mind in balance with our body, or are we pushing the body past its tolerance because we want to stay out that extra hour, get that drink with a friend, go to work even though we feel sick? Do you wake up feeling like you were hit by a truck? Does your patience fail you when in discussion with friends, family, or co-workers and leave you feeling angry, hurt, or embarrassed? Are you struggling with headaches or digestive issues, disordered sleeping, or depression? Forgetfulness? Clumsiness? Confusion? Feeling 'fuzzy'? Do you find that you have great spurts of energy and excitement and then land in a heap of exhaustion and crankiness or even apathy? If any of these applies to you, then you are a normal person, and you should meditate daily. (If I know you personally, I am describing YOU up there; yes, Mom, yes, FRIEND, yes, BROTHER, I'm telling you now that you should start!)

Meditation is a time to find the silence needed to take measure of our being so that we can begin to establish a more sustainable and happy energy to live on.

It might seem daunting. Do I have to sit in that 'meditation' position? My legs don't bend that way. Do I have to chant? I will feel stupid. What if I can't make my mind stop 'talking'? I'm too stressed out, I have too much going on, I'm too busy, I have too much on my mind!!!!!!! Aghhh!!!!

SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO MEDITATE.

It's going to be easy. Here are some directions and suggestions, improvise and use whatever feels good to you:

1. Find a time and place that is quiet and private. Give yourself at least 10-15 minutes.

2. Sit in a comfortable position. I don't recommend reclining because you may simply fall asleep, and that is not the goal.

3. Take in a deep breath, feeling the downward motion of your diaphragm. Elongate your exhalation. As you continue to breathe, continually elongate inhalation and exhalation, thereby slowing your breath, and your heart-rate.

4. As you do this, focus all of your attention on your breathing. What does it feel like the moment you drag the first air molecules into your nostrils? How does it feel passing through your throat, down into your lungs? What temperature is the air? So on. Get really into the breathing.

5. Continue this breathing for a long time. Try to achieve the feeling of Pure Consciousness, or Bliss that you experience just when you wake up, before you start thinking. Do this until you feel rested, and refreshed. If you find that thoughts are surfacing like bad, begging dogs at the table, look at them compassionately and tell them to go away. You will address them later, when you feel refreshed. Continue with your breathing.

6. When you feel ready to end your meditation, open your eyes, and say a silent thanks to your mindbodyspirit.

Some things that might enhance, or facilitate meditation:

Yoga (it helps increase circulation and tone the muscles to make them ready for sitting calmly)

Candlelight

A bell or singing bowl rung at beginning and end to 'cleanse' the space you are in.

A pillow to sit on if you like to be on the floor.

Tissues if you have a stuffy nose.

Do this practice at different times in the day. Try it at night before bed- see how much better you sleep. Try it in the morning when you wake up- see how much more gracefully you go through your day. Try it in the afternoon and see how it gives you joyful energy to complete your work. If you do this regularly you should find yourself having more awareness and clarity in matters of decision-making, communication, learning, and performance, and a new glow to your well-being that enables you to sleep more restfully, walk more gracefully, be a better lover, friend, or parent, and make choices that lead you to the strength and vitality necessary to enjoy a long and happy life.

BE WELL!

Alice

Food for Love

Ayurveda is one of the most ancient and complete systems for total health and wellness. It was developed in India during the period 2000-1000 B.C. to address physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. One of the main branches of this "science of life" is "Aphrodisiacs".

While various herbs are commonly prescribed, there are also some tasty edibles that do the trick.

Since I'm not one to beat around the bush, here are some great recipes to get you in the mood, from my kitchen to yours, with love!

Lovely Lady Fingers- This is one of my tried-and-true favorite recipes, that looks and tastes beautiful. Serve with basmati rice, and baked or grilled salmon. This makes enough for two to indulge, four to have as a side.

Ingredients

1 lb. okra, sliced in quarter-inch rounds. make sure it is DRY. (use paper towel)

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper (serrano is great) chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

thumb's length of ginger, minced

dashes of cumin, turmeric, black pepper, ground coriander, salt, and garam masala

a handful of cilantro, chopped

the juice of 1 lime

1 tblsp. honey or agave nectar

1 tblsp. oil (I recommend olive or grapeseed)

Directions

1. Heat oil in large, non-stick pan on medium low.

2. Put in chopped okra and let sit for a few minutes, then carefully turn the okra over using a spatula. When both sides are a little browned, remove okra and set aside on a plate. It is important not to over-cook the okra because it will lose its color and succulent texture.

3. Now add onion to the pan, make sure there is still a little oil. Cook on medium low until the onion has softened.

4. Add garlic and ginger, as well as spices. Stir, and cook on lower heat until the spices have melted into the embrace of the onions.

5. Return okra to the pan, stirring. Squirt with lime juice and honey.

6. Fold cilantro into the mix, stir a few times, and serve!

Love Potion no.1 (Great for your Kapha lover, requires juicer, or a trip to the juice shop)

CARROT

APPLE

GINGER

There's not much more to say, really, besides that carrots have long been revered for their amorous qualities (whether this is due to a phallic resemblance or nutritional value I would love to know), apples represent Eve and somehow that makes them sexy, and perhaps the most legitimate Aphrodisiac here- ginger- aids and increases blood circulation, which is an essential for pleasure.

Love Potion no. 2 (The "Naughty" Potion. Serves 2.)

Ingredients:

3 cups milk (soy, whole, almond, rice....whatever)

2 tblsp. cocoa powder (I recommend Ghirardelli)

2-3 tblsp. honey

dashes of cinnamon, ground cardamom

3 drops of vanilla extract

3 drops of edible rosewater (optional. make sure it is for cooking use)

Directions:

Pour milk into a medium saucepan and heat gently over low flame, stirring, until the milk begins to steam. Add everything except rose water and stir rapidly, then let simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in rosewater, pour into mugs, and enjoy!

Sweet Dreams...Sexy Dreams?

It's Valentine's week, so I want to take this opportunity to explore one of the most interesting elements of Ayurvedic knowledge....

Ancient Ayurvedic texts addressed one of our most constant, basic, and profound concerns: SEX! According to this wisdom, partners need to be in tune with each other physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In Ayurvedic philosophy, a satisfying sexual union which is carefully developed over time will bestow health, vitality, and happiness on you and your partner. A whole treatise on aphrodisiacs is a part of the ancient text, and makes up one of the eight branches of Ayurvedic Medicine. Unlike Western medicine, which views each part of our life as relatively separate, in Ayurveda our spiritual and emotional health is directly linked to everything from our digestion, to our teeth, our mental state, and yes, our sexuality.

There are many things which can hinder our enjoyment of intimacy, and for each of us, they are different. For best results, partners must be involved with each other physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In order to attain sexual wellness you must maintain a balanced and nourishing diet, get restful sleep, invigorate and soothe your body with daily movement and exercise, and work on coming to a stable and peaceful mental state of being. If you are struggling with these things you may find that when it comes time to take a roll in the hay you are irritable, tired, cranky, not-in-the-mood, aching, self-conscious, impatient, or worse! If your Vata is out of wack you might find that you feel emotionally vulnerable or fear-prone in the face of intimacy. If Pitta is too high you could experience impatience, anger, or frustration. If Kapha is too high, you might feel overly possessive. Check your Dosha balance! http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-basis-tri-dosha.htm

Fatigue is the primary cause of lack of libido and unsatisfactory sexual performance.

So get out there, go to the grocery store and buy some good stuff, take a walk, breathe in the fresh air, take a hot bath, and GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP!

Some things to help you rest so that you can make the most

of your time in bed (ahem):

Herbs by capsule:

You can find Valerian Root capsules at your pharmacy, which are an all-natural and gentle, calming herb. Take a half an hour before bedtime if you find that you have trouble falling asleep.

Herbs by tea:

Traditional Medicinals makes a tea called "Nighty Night", which is also very effective, featuring hops and catnip.

Simple Chamomile, which can be found at any grocery store, is known for its calming and antidepressant qualities.

Essential Oils:

Take a little lavender oil and either spray it onto your linens with a diffuser, smell it from the bottle (do not snort it into your nose, this will result in very bad things like burning nostrils) or mix it with another oil that is safe for skin, like Jojoba, and rub some onto your chest, temples, wrists, etc. Test a small area first, and with the herbs mentioned, it is always good to consult your physician before taking anything new.

Sweet Dreams!

Alice

"You've got to eat your oatmeal!"

Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy Monday morning, sometime before sunrise, sometime in the middle of puberty, just before leaving the warmth and light of home to seek in darkness the neighborhood bus stop, waiting for that big evil yellow thing to take me away....
What did I know of imbalanced Doshas then?
My mom apparently knew something, because she was always trying to get me to eat my oatmeal.

We all know what's up with oats: they are like the street cleaner for our intestines. "High in soluble fibre", "resulting in slower digestion and extended sensation of fullness", "proven to lower heart-disease"...

After eating a bowl of Quaker Instant Oats (apple and cinnamon flavor) every weekday from September 7, 1995- June 21, 1996, I grew to detest that brown, gelatinous, solid lump of goo....

Now, all grown up, non-pubescent, waking in daylight hours, I refer fondly to my favorite breakfast bowl, and unveil my secret recipe for PORRIDGE. It just so happens that currently my Vata is too high, and this combination of sweet, cooling, and astringent ingredients will aid me in working towards a healthy balance. This breakfast is good for anyone who is Pitta or Vata, but if you have a Kapha imbalance it may be unhelpful.














Magical Porridge (serves 2)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup oats (I recommend McCann's steel-cut. Whatever you do, don't use Instant or Quick)
1 cup milk (Please use organic, don't even ask why. It is BETTER.)
1 cup water
a small handful of ground almonds (use coffee grinder, food processor, or mortar-and-pestle)
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom (if you grind it yourself in m&p it is super flavorful!)
dash of cinnamon
drizzle of honey or maple syrup

Directions:
I recommend following the directions on the label of your oats, just so there are no mistakes.... Cook the oats, cardamom and almonds in a mixture of equal parts milk and water instead of just water. This adds to the flavor of the oats, plus it helps produce Ojas, or "Good Vibrations" in Ayurvedaland.


See link for more about Ojas:
http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-key-ojas.htm


When the oats are done, give 'em some cinnamon and sweeten with a swirl of delicious, golden honey, which is sweet and astringent, decreases Vata, and helps to cut through excess phlegm.

***If you find that your appetite is slow in the morning, try slicing up, or grating some fresh ginger and making a tea of it. This is stimulating and tasty, warming, and will help you get "in the mood" for a nourishing breakfast. It is also considered a very healthy practice to eat a piece of fruit that is okay for your Doshas 20 to 30 minutes before your regular breakfast. Your body is at its best state for absorbing the benefits of fruit right when you wake up! BRING ON THE BANANAS!!!

By the way, I will openly confess here, in my blog, that I am addicted to coffee. Depending on how things go for me, I will probably make myself the subject of a No-Caffeine Experiment at some point during our adventures together. Till then, I will remain a slave to the bean.

Balancing Act

At the moment when you were first concieved (BAM!) your Prakruti, or basic mind-body constitution, was determined.

Prakruti is the principle "type" which defines your physical, mental, and spiritual self; it resembles your state when you are at your happiest, healthiest, and most balanced. Your Prakruti is defined by your principle Dosha, or type. It's kind of like an astrological sign only there are just three: Pitta, Kapha, and Vata.

My Prakruti Dosha is Pitta!!

HOWEVER..... my Vikruti- my current condition, is pretty out of balance, leaning very heavily towards Vata. This would explain why I have had trouble sleeping, dry skin, and an irritable temper also known as "princess syndrome" (I can see some of you rolling your eyes through my magical-telepathic-computer-third eye-chakra-lens).....

Enough about me...

How have YOU been? Sleeping okay? Moody? Hungry? Are you feeling mentally sluggish or overly obsessive? Sad? Impatient? Any of these things can be a sign of a dosha imbalance. Having a severe imbalance can lead to discomfort, ailment, illness, disease, and yes.... death. Let's not get too morbid though- that's not what this is about! Ayurveda is all about learning to take charge of your health in a practical and (relatively) simple manner. So if you haven't already determined your Prakruti and Vikruti then it's time to do so.

The websites in my previous post offer questionnaires which will tell you what's up with your doshas. The first one listed is quite a long test, but very accurate. The second one is accurate, but not as detailed, and much quicker.

GOOD LUCK!!!

And remember, be honest. The first step to making a dream come true is waking up.

Wishing you Wellness!
Alice


Sites for diagnosing your doshas:
More detailed test-
http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-diagnostic-tests.htm

Quick, less detailed test-
http://store.chopra.com/dosha-survey.asp

Beet the Blues Away- a mission statement of sorts

A word of explanation for all visitors: I am not an expert of Ayurveda, though I would like to be. I am an expert of many, many things- but not that. I am here as a curious and hungry adventurer, seeking out the delights of this super healthy cuisine and the intricate philosophy that it is built upon!

I am what most people call "a starving artist". I often like to say that I never starve and in fact, I eat very well- HOWEVER, winter really got the best of me in these past few weeks and I allowed myself to succumb to a routine of General Tso's and Grandma slices, three cups of coffee, Dulce de Leche ice cream, lots of Tobasco on the eggs, salt and vinegar chips galore!!!! Well.... lets just say that this joyful period of my life simply couldn't last. A few days ago, after recuperating from a neverending bout of the flu I felt like I had to do something to prevent myself from getting so downtrodden again.

Ayurveda probably first poked its ancient head into the room of my consciousness when I was about fifteen years old, working at a yoga studio. In those days you couldn't get me to touch a mango lassi with a ten-foot pole, but now here I am- TWELVE years later (Jesus...) not only a self-declared enthusiast of Indian food, but ready to embark upon a journey into the complex, sacred doctrine that has for thousands of years been serving up tasty delights.

I will share two things with you for tonight.
The first is this website which seems to be very carefully put together:

http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv_home.htm

Also, if you are interested in finding out what your "dosha", or body-type is without going through the extensive tridosha diagnostic test which is in the holistic online site, go to this simpler one:

http://store.chopra.com/dosha-survey.asp



OKAY! One last thing for those of you who have managed to get this far- a recipe.
This one I cooked up the other night to go alongside some rice and beans, and because it is so tangy and colorful, it makes a great side-dish for fish. It is good for balancing Kapha and also for balancing Vata. If you are Pitta, this one's not for you.



Lemony Beets with Spinach (serves 2)

Ingredients:

two large beets, washed, peeled, and diced into chunks the size of your pinkie nail
a lemon
a handful of fresh, clean spinach
a smaller handful of cilantro (optional but tasty!)
two tablespoons of grapeseed, safflower, or sunflower oil*

Directions:

After preparing the ingredients, warm the oil in a large, non-stick pan for a moment or two on medium heat. When it is slick and thinning, add the diced beets.

After a few minutes, stir them with a wooden spoon and squeeze the entire lemon into the pan, being careful to remove seeds with spoon. If you wish, you can squeeze the lemon beforehand into a bowl and strain into pan. I like the pulp, so I try to get as much in there as possible!

When the lemon juice is begining to bubble and turn a pleasant magenta color, add the spinach.

Fold the spinach over a few times until it softens, then add the cilantro. Let all the ingredients hang out together in the pan for a minute or two longer, then remove from heat and serve! Cooking time should be less than ten minutes.

*feel free to use olive oil if you want but if you are going to get serious about shedding those lazy kapha pounds or blowing away the cloud-cover that's been lugubriating your brain... then use the oils mentioned.