AYURVEDA - SCIENCE OF LIFE & LIVING - Solar powered for sure. Part I
When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct, medicine is of no
need.
ALL LIFE IS SOLAR POWERED ON EARTH
According to Ayurveda, five elements make up the universe — vayu
(air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire), and prithvi (earth).
In the Human body too, these elements form three different
doshas / humor / state of mind, attitude, which are types of energy that
circulate within our body. Each dosha/persona is responsible for specific
physiological functions.
Mind, body, and spirit
all must function for all three to function together.
Human beings are SOLAR powered, just like the mother
EARTH. The power of the SUN influences all activities on Earth.
Sun Salutation – Suyra Namaskar is of utmost importance
early morning to regulate this Metabolic fire.
THE FIRE/AGNI OF DIGESTION IS INFLUENCED BY
THE SUN
From Sun Rise to Sun Set, the AGNI / FIRE induces the forces
of INNATE INTELLIGENCE within our Bodies. The gut biome is a part of the Agni where the microorganisms
boost our metabolism & food breakdown.
Three hours after Sun rise is the best time for the KINGLY
/ biggest meal of the day. One hour before Sun set is your last chance for the
BEGGARS meal of the day. A PRINCELY lunch is recommended in between these two
meals, if needed.
AGNI means Burning & transforming to burst forth.
AGNI / DIGESTIVE FIRE – is our body’s ability to digest
& absorb nutrients from the food, using digestives enzymes. Our Health
depends on this TOTALLY.
It can also be the root of body
imbalances and diseases. An unhealthy diet, poor lifestyle, and unresolved
emotions may impair Agni, which in turn, disrupts the functions of the body.
You may not realize this but
the food you eat has a close connection with your mind.
While you enjoy the taste with
your tongue, you should eat mindfully. In Ayurveda, eating with a focused mind
with no distractions is important. This
ONE POINTEDNESS releases the nervous impulses, which in turn release enzymes &
hormones. This stimulates systemic metabolic activity so that the whole
body-mind complex functions efficiently.
WHAT IS YOUR DOMINANT DOSHA/HUMOR
The Ayurvedic diet determines your dominant dosha/humor &
eating specific foods to promote balance between all three doshas.
The
PITTA dosha controls hunger, thirst, and body temperature.
The
VATA dosha maintains electrolyte balance & movement.
The
KAPHA dosha promotes joint function.
Here are some of the main
characteristics for each DOSHA/HUMOR to help you determine which type matches
you best:
Pitta (fire + water). Intelligent,
hard-working, and decisive. This dosha/humor generally has a medium physical
build, short temper, and may suffer from conditions like indigestion, heart
disease, or high blood pressure.
Vata (air + space). Creative,
energetic, and lively. People with this dosha/humor are usually thin with a
light frame and may struggle with digestive issues, fatigue, or anxiety when
out of balance.
Kapha (earth + water). Naturally calm,
grounded, and loyal. Those with a kapha dosha/humor often have a sturdier frame
and may have issues with weight gain, asthma, depression, or diabetes.
Geographically Hot countries near the equator are prone to Vata,
therefore slow speed activities are recommended. Cold countries near the poles
are prone to Kapha, therefore high-speed activities are recommended.
Water retention qualities of the soil also decide what to eat.
The sandy soil in North India/Desert land does not hold water hence grow wheat
& eat it too. In south India/clay soil can hold good water hence grow RICE
& consume too.
SEASONAL INFLUENCES ON DOSHAS/HUMOR
You should focus on different
tastes to balance out your metabolic needs of the season.
In the SPRING season Kapha
increases & causes stagnation in the body. If you feel your rate of
metabolism is slow, you should consider eating food that tastes pungent, bitter
& astringent.
During SUMMER season, you need
a Pitta-balancing diet of sweet foods.
The WINTER season is coherent
with sweet, salty & sour tastes that feel heavy on the stomach.
THE TENDER CONNECTION BETWEEN FOOD ESSENCE & EMOTIONS
It’s easiest to see the elements expressed in food: a hot pepper
contains fire element, a sweet potato contains earth, and a brothy soup
contains water.
You can see the elements in emotions as well. If you’re angry
and seeing red, you bet there’s some fire element coursing through you.
If you’re deeply in love, you’re likely experiencing the ooey,
gooey sweetness of water element.
If you feel strong and grounded, you’re likely experiencing
earth element.
When it comes to anxiety, wind element is largely at play. If
you imagine a leaf blown about by the breeze or a candle flame flickering in
the wind, you can see why anxiety and wind go hand in hand.
THE FOUR TYPES OF AGNI
Ayurveda classifies four different states of Agni
that point to certain constitutional tendencies.
Visham agni: This is an irregular appetite and
digestive system with signs of variable hunger, bloating, indigestion,
intestinal cramps, constipation, dry stool, & gas. It is common in vata
types. Use sweet and pungent flavors. Include Asafoetida formula (hingashtaka),
Trikatu and ginger before you eat.
Tikshna agni: Intense hunger but
with poor digestion is a pitta sign. Also, thirst, parched mouth, dry throat,
loose stool and a burning sensation in intestines. Use mild sour flavors to
dilute excess acid. Include shatavari (Asparagus racemosa), guduchi (Tinosporia
cordifolia) and Amalaki to balance pitta.
Mandagni agni: Weak hunger is a kapha sign. Also, slow
digestion, heaviness after a meal, sluggish bowels, bulky stool, feeling cold,
sweet craving, stimulant craving. Use pungent and bitter flavors. Include
trikatu, ginger and cinnamon.
Samagni agni: Balanced hunger and digestion; food is
digested within four hours with no excess craving or lack of interest. Use
triphala to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Use all six flavors and a balanced diet to
maintain balanced digestion.
AFTER SUN SET THE AGNI IS DORMANT – no eating period.
All forms of imbalanced Agni create undigested
residues (ama) that form toxins. Toxins (ama) become present in all chronic
conditions such as high cholesterol, blood disorders, fatigue syndromes,
tumors, cysts, skin conditions, allergies, & cancers.
The dosha accumulate at their site - kapha in
the stomach, pitta in the abdomen, vata in the colon. This starts the cycle of
imbalance and must be avoided if you want to stay healthy.
Left untreated the accumulated dosha can
become disturbed. This results in the dosha leaving their site and overflowing,
a very dangerous situation.
Kapha can manifest as mucus, coughs, asthma, diabetes and
obesity.
Pitta can manifest as skin problems, heart problems and
inflammation.
Vata can manifest as bone problems, nervous conditions and
degenerative conditions.
CANCER TREATMENT - Cancer cells / bacteria eat 8 times more than normal cells. If we STARVE them by switching over to one meal a day then they die. No medical intervention is required.
SPEED & TEMPERATURE DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF FOOD
Slow
grinding of wheat into flour is a luxury, by using the manual mini grinding
stone – Chakki
Slow
grinding of spices keeps the nutrients intact by using the Indian grinding
tablet & stone – Silvata.
Slow
chopping of vegetables is a must too for Vibrant health by using a manual
chopper.
The
childbearing females benefit automatically by using the above gadgets with
built in physical exercise, which keeps them slim, agile & physically
primed up.
A FEW AYURVEDIC DIETARY
RULES.
Eat raw fruits & vegetables as much as possible for
Vibrant Health & being disease free.
Cooked food has extremely low PRANIC VALUE for Human
consumption.
If you MUST Cook, then food must be consumed withing 48
minutes of its being cooked.
Switch to cooking in CLAY pots pans & tawa, instead
of toxic aluminum utensils.
Cook on low heat, instead of PRESSURE COOKERS, which
destroys all Pranic value of food.
Microwaves kill all the remaining nutrients in the stale
food that you try to REHEAT & eat.
Leave 4-6 hours between meals with no snacking.
The sign that the previous meal is digested is when the breath
is fresh.
Eating in between meals weakens the Agni.
Eating cold, wet & heavy foods weakens the Agni.
Drink hot water 40 minutes before meals to stimulate Agni.
Never eat/drink cold liquid/water with/after food, least you
dilute the acids & enzymes & put off the Agni.
Treat Agni with occasional fasts; use a mono-diet (rice,
kitcheree), hot lemon water and a seasonal cleanse to keep digestion healthy.
Agni is increased by pungent, sour, & salty flavors. It is
beneficial to start a meal with these flavors.
A low dosage of bitter taste taken before a meal increases the
secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Agni stimulating and increasing herbs are ginger, black pepper,
cayenne pepper, cinnamon, long pepper (Piper longum), guduchi (Tinosporia
cordifolia), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata). Use a small dose (1-2g) before
meals to enkindle the digestive fire.
Agni tonic herbs that build enduring digestive strength are
pushkaramula (Inula racemosa), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and musta
(Cyperus rotundus).
Yoga exercises to balance Agni: stimulating
the fire practice (Agnisara kriya), abdominal massage (nauli), lighting the
skull breath (kapalabhati), bellows breath (bhastrika), peacock (mayurasana),
forward bend pose (paschimottanasana), fish pose (matsyendrasana), sun
salutation (surya namaskar).
IDEAL DIET FOR THE VIBRANT HEALTH
The Sattvic diet is a high
fiber, low fat vegetarian diet that many yoga enthusiasts follow.
In the practice of yoga, there
are three types of foods that have varying qualities and health effects:
sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic.
The word SATTVIC means pure
essence, with high intake of micronutrients which helps in balancing of Doshas,
offering feelings of calmness, happiness, and mental clarity.
Rajasic foods are described as
overly stimulating.
Tamasic foods are believed to
increase weakness & laziness.
Sattvic diets are rich in
fresh, nutrient-dense foods, low in processed foods, including fruits,
vegetables, sprouted whole grains, fresh fruit juices, legumes, nuts, seeds,
and herbal teas.
ROHIT KHANNA - Value engineer, Think tank
https://www.amazon.ca/MAGIC-MIND-MIRACLE-Rohit-Khanna-ebook/dp/B004RHX8JC
E-book
https://www.amazon.ca/Magic-mind-Miracle-body-healing/dp/1466239271
Hard cover book
