Saturday, December 13, 2008

Dear Friends,
Ayurveda teaches that in times of big change, VATA, the energetic of our body and mind best symbolized by the wind, becomes aggravated, grows in intensity. As if caught in the whirlwind, we buzz around too much and get distracted by all sorts of demands and concerns. Even the positive "stress" of the holiday can takes its toll; lots of parties, snacks, changes in our normal routines.
Getting grounded and relaxing into the time is what is demanded for us to not feel burnout by the end of the first week of January - a classic time for people to feel under the weather.
We cannot hold back the times, whether they offer us gifts positive or negative from which we must learn. To bring balance in these times, gather close to people you love. Share warm thoughts, warm food, and good cheer. Take a walk and look at the holiday lights in your neighborhood. Sing in a warm tub or in front of a fire with friends - maybe both.
VATA ultmately becomes balanced when we can step back and take a more wholesome look at the bigger picture. This is made so much more easy for us all when we gather together, take care, and take heart.

2 comments:

Michael said...

Ayurveda is the integration of balancing the mind, body, soul and senses. This system of healing includes eating the right thing at the right time and adapting healthy daily lifestyles such as meditation and maintaining a purity of the mind and soul. The connection between the mind and the body not only controls the process of thoughts but also helps the body in daily activities such as blood circulation, respiration, digestion and the purging process.

Melanie and Robert said...

Dear Michael,
Your comments are accurate and astute. Thank-you.
Our point here is to look at the season and all of the changes and disruptions to our daily routines and healthy habits when we have relatives and friends with us, when we eat festive foods, and stay up late waiting for Santa Claus.
Of course, returning to routines is wise, but not prudent or popular in such times. So, looking at the perfection of VATA, an Unlimited Mind, we need to step back, see the situation for what it is, and enjoy it. By being more inclusive than strict with our habits and routines at this time, our relaxed mind state will allow us to more quickly re-balance when the time to get back to "normal" returns.
Relax, feel warm, smile, show kindness - and it is amazing how quickly even the hangovers and weight of too much stuffing drops away.

Yours,
Robert