ConsciousCo

Planting the Seed of Ojas

Ayurveda– ‘The Science of Living Life’ accentuates the need for a fine balance between the body, mind & soul. It
recognizes that each of us is unique, and needs a tailor-made approach to lead a life in synchronicity & joy‘

This is no one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, it is more of a consistent execution of awareness that can prevent us
from slipping into ruts within the body, upsetting in the mind, and subsequently moving further away from the soul. A
razor-sharp awareness is required and continuous execution of building a positive thought repository, a diet suitable
to our unique fingerprint, and a lifestyle that is incomplete in order.

Ayurveda clearly states “Health orders, Disease is disorder.” If we want this order, we need to plant this seed
of Ojas systematically and with discipline (Niyama)! The foremost way to Cultivate Ojas is to follow a Dinacharya
or a daily routine.

Firstly, being mindful of transitions – the time you wake up, the time you sleep, dawn, dusk, the changing seasons,
the conjugations of joints in our bodies are some examples. If we are conscious of these transitions, we won’t
imbalance our doshas or deplete our Ojas. But if we move too fast, and take everything in its stride without being
fully aware of the connection between body, mind and intellect, we most likely will burn out without expecting it!

A typical habit that drains Ojas is to begin your day in a worried state, immediately checking email, social
media, or to-do lists, a common happening in this day! Immediate activity as you wake will rob you of deep
centring- very required to feel content and happy while beginning a new day. Instead, finding a quiet spot where
you can set a Sankalpa (intention) for the day, taking time to express gratitude through prayer, meditating to find the
quiet space within, moving with some sun salutations or any other quiet me-time can allow us to set expectations
that are desirable, achievable and growth-oriented. And even if we fail to achieve them, the Santosa (contentment)
created from the morning ritual will silently whisper – “There is always tomorrow”, allowing us to stride through the
high and low notes of life with a smile on our face. Similarly, Ayurveda has a set of pragmatic guidelines to preserve
Ojas in other transient phases. One rule I have followed for many years is offering a prayer at dawn and dusk to the
universe. This silent me-time reinforces that there is still so much positivity and love I can tap into, in the midst of
what may seem like chaos!

Abhyanga or self-Application of oils on our body is key to sustaining Ojas. When our skin becomes dry, we lose
vibrancy not only in the way we look but also in the way we feel, allowing self-doubts to creep their way in. After
all, we are continuously losing Ojas through stress, diseases, moving against the circadian rhythm of nature, eating
foods against our Prakriti our unique constitution. The fastest way to credit the Ojas account is by oiling oneself. A habit
I have dived into it ever since I got serious about yoga. Another dinacharya recommended is pulling oil in your mouth,
dropping ghee in your nose and eyes, and oil in your ears. Care must be taken that absolutely the best quality oils are
used.

Eat consciously and eat when you’re hungry! Being intuitive about the needs of your body for nourishment, as
per the season and your own Prakriti is an important awareness practice to build Ojas. Prior to eating, chant the
‘Brahmārpañam Brahma Havir’ food prayer if you are taken to Sanskrit or simply offer your gratitude for the plate
that rests in front of you. Be mindful, chew your food slowly, alkalize each morsel with your saliva, and eat a
balanced diet only till your stomach is three fourth full. Incorporating the six tastes (rasa) in your plate- sweet, sour,
salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes will satiate not only our senses but also our doshas, keeping cravings in
check. Incorporating the best quality A2 ghee, and oils for cooking is key to preserving the nutrients of food while
cooking. A general rule of thumb in Ayurveda is to not overcook or reheat food, allowing the nourishment to be
more qualitative than quantitative. Packaged or precooked food is also avoided.

Practising Self-Reflection, Pranayama & Yoga is also important when working on Ojas building. Self-reflection
through silence sustains Ojas and creates self-improvement. We are after all not this body, mind, or intellect but the
ultimate supreme consciousness- Brahman, as stated in all Vedic Scriptures! Our vibrance, vitality or Ojas cannot be
effulgent if we are innately feeling a vacuum in our spiritual journey to the self. By observing our thoughts,
emotions, and body during meditation or silence we embrace the need to stay in the present moment and identify
the state of our emotions and desires. This then can be worked upon slowly and steadily like any discipline, and
many key life questions can be answered.

Pranayama is one of the most important practices that can change our trajectory to our ideal selves. We are all
victims of shallow or chest-breathing that really depletes us of life-serving energy (prana) tipping us to the far end
of stress. During Pranayama, deep abdominal breathing sends rockets of much-needed oxygen to our body,
energizing us tremendously, and bringing a sense of calm!

Calm asana practice is essential for not only maintaining Ojas but also the longevity of the physical body.
Ayurveda is a very pragmatic science that has always recommended one exercise to only half their energy capacity. I
find this advice extremely practical!! As a mum of young kids, if I consume all my energy huffing and puffing, I
have absolutely no patience for the energy required to deal with real life. Therefore we must take care to gently
mobilize every day, and bring one restorative pose to the yoga mat. My practice has always been a meditative
movement of poses that bring the essence of balance and go a long way in ensuring I return to my yoga mat.

I invite you to single-handedly try these suggestions & plant the seed of Ojas in your physical and mental being. You
will then I promise you to unfold the joys of living life in harmony with Nature!

Written for CoCoGram by Anchal Pilani (Yoga teacher, Health & Wellness Counsellor, Vedanta Teacher to Kids)

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