Koshas
May 3rd, 2011
Living From the Heart
November 24th, 2011
Have you ever seen the movie The Invention of Lying starring Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner? Here is the description:
In an alternate reality where even the concept of a lie doesn’t exist, a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark suddenly develops the ability to lie, and finds that dishonesty has its rewards.
If you haven’t seen it, I so recommend it. It is funny, heart-warming and well acted. And it gets you thinking for sure! The premise of the movie is a world in which no one has the ability to lie, nor has anyone heard of such a thing. It has simply never been invented. So everyone is always completely truthful, with no regard or concern about how this lands on the other person. It is funny at times, but you also see how this disregard causes great hurt to many people. Then the main character Mark “discovers” lying , quite by accident, and quickly learns how much can be gained through this trick, especially when he’s the only one who knows about it! He eventually has to learn many lessons to learn on the value of truth and kindness, and I’ll let you watch the movie to find out how it ends!
When we see a movie like this, we may laugh at the completely outrageous things people would say to each other if there was no such thing as lying or falsehood. And when you see Mark lying to get what he wants over and over, we might tell ourselves that we certainly don’t lie like that! But the truth is, our society is completely based on lying – although we might call it other things and we are not so obvious about it. And for the most part, we find ways to validate our lying. For example, we might tell ourselves that we have to say this or that in order to keep a relationship together, keep a job, or function in society. So we hide behind our masks and pretend that we really do believe everything we are supposed to believe, that we really don’t have insecurities, doubts and fears, and we spend a lot of energy trying to make sure others believe this is true about us.
I think for most of us, it is a rude awakening as a child to discover how often grown-ups would lie. You’d stand right next to them as they’d say something to another person that you knew wasn’t true. You learned that this is just something that grown-ups have to do.
I guess I was lucky that for most of my childhood I did not have to learn how to lie. Maybe children do get off a little easier there. But then moving into adulthood I even had more luck: my first boss in the corporate world was a man who had great integrity and kindness. He encouraged us all to speak the truth: in fact, we were welcomed in his office anytime to discuss what we agreed with or did not agree with about the projects we were doing. He would listen, challenge, encourage, and you would always leave feeling empowered (even if you did still have to do the project in question!). I had no idea how lucky I was.
But then was the rude awakening. I moved to California in my early 20’s as part of a job transfer for the same company. I had been trained well and encouraged to speak my mind. But the managers there apparently did not get the memo. I can tell you that I learned a lot about the expression “drinking the corporate kool-aid” during my short time there, because everyone did it, and did it expertly. Personally I struggled (and became troublesome quickly!) and soon after left the corporate world for good!
Over my life, I have always been the one to say it like I see it. I’ve always been the one to point out the great big giant elephant in the room. I don’t like sweeping issues under the rug. And I’m pretty sure I would’ve been that child to point out that the emperor had no clothes on. I’m not suggesting I’m a better person for this or not, I’m simply saying I’ve known no other way, it just is who I am, and whenever I have tried lying, it fails miserably anyway.
I desire a world in which we can all come out from behind our masks, and speak and live from our hearts, truly feeling the joy of connection and togetherness. “Living from the heart” has become a wonderful catch-phrase, but how many really have the courage to try it, especially when we have artfully learned the corporate games (like my favorite, “whoever speaks first loses” – I always lose!). Sometimes in the yoga world, things become even worse as people use the “speak from the heart” philosophy as yet another tool in their games! Nothing’s really changed, they just have better and sharper tools! This reminds me of the story of the young man who, in his early days could drink all his fraternity brothers under the table. One day he decided he wanted to make a life change, so he entered a monastery. Very soon after, he was able to fast and meditate all his fellow monks under the table! Nothing’s changed, just the mask. And as they say, “wherever you go, there you are”!
There have been many times in my life where had I learned better how to play the games, I would’ve gotten further ahead, made more money, had more friends, been more liked. But it would’ve all come at a great cost, the price of admission is my own heart. And then all those relationships founded on un-truths remain conditional; i.e., you have to continue to play the game to keep the friends, keep the job, keep the money coming, keep the status.
I long for a world where, despite our fears of rejection, ridicule, vulnerability, loneliness, etc., we find the courage and support to speak and live our truth from our hearts. And as long as I want this world, I will continue to act as if it is already so: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”, as Ghandi famously said. But in doing this, I have certainly been hurt. I have been taken advantage of. I have been rejected. Haven’t we all? But my commitment, as part of my Crossroads journey, is to continue to live this way, moment to moment, day to day, knowing that sometimes, it will backfire, but more often, will provide me with a life that is honest, open, clean, and heart-felt.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. Why is this? We need to remember that all disease begins in the energy body before it manifests in the physical. Matters of the heart such as compassion, unconditional love, forgiveness, truth, acceptance, must be a part of our lives and a part of our healing. If we deny the heart over and over, the blockages created in the energy body eventually manifest in the physical body. Could one of the best preventions of heart disease truly be learning how to speak and live from the heart? I believe so. And I believe it starts with each one of us taking those steps, and committing to “being the change we wish to see”. I do believe we want this. I just think we are scared to take the first steps. I read a quote recently from a physic healer who said (and I paraphrase) – “I find that all the people who come to see me are not really wondering if they should leave a particular situation/job/relationship to pursue their heart’s desire, it’s whether or not they will be supported when they make the decision.” For that, we need courage, faith and trust. We need to believe that as we cross over the bridge to follow our hearts, we will be welcomed with open arms, we will have been expected, and we will be supported.
CROSSROADS – IT’S ME AGAINST THE WORLD!
October 6th, 2011
I’m sitting here today writing this and as I look out the window, it is literally “raining leaves!” What a beautiful sight, what a beautiful day to be alive! Two months into my official crossroads journey, I find I come across many of the same stumbling blocks. It seems that setting the intention was not enough to completely change my life (shoot) – ACTION is needed too!! The Yin (intention) and the Yang (action) must be harmonized, balanced, for a complete transformation. And the action, it seems, requires the daily intention behind it!
For example I still sometimes forget who I am, I mean, I know that I am Spirit, residing temporarily in a human form, but I forget. I forget that I am a Spark of the Divine, truly perfect just as I am with nothing to prove. I forget that I am always loved, cared for, and supported, and that I belong, and instead I fall into some of my favorite old, recycled thought patterns.
One particular thought pattern has taken up residence in me for a long time – probably since I was 8 or 9 years old. It is the belief of “IT”S ME AGAINST THE WORLD”. I clearly remember sitting and waiting in the car one day for my mom to come back out of the grocery store. (This was back in the days you could leave kids in the car for short periods of time without concern!) I remember looking at all the people walking by – and thinking that all these people were “against” me. I had this sickening sense that all these grown-ups knew something I didn’t and somehow they were all “in on it”, including my parents (I was pretty sure my mom was in the store talking to everyone else about the Truth while I was to forever remain in the dark). If you’ve seen the movie The Truman Show with Jim Carey, I can tell you that this movie resonated deep within me – that feeling that everyone else knew something I didn’t and it was up to me to cut through that illusion – no one would help me.
Of course looking back, it seems silly now, and perhaps it seems that I could simply discard it as a little girl’s imagination running wild; it’s not real, let it go. But our childhood thoughts and memories affect us deeply, carving grooves in our patterns of thinking that are very difficult to detect, therefore this “me vs. the world” theme still has an affect on me today if I’m not mindful, open, and aware.
For example, I recently received a potential opportunity for the near future. I did not even take the time to truly contemplate if I wanted this opportunity – I simply assumed that I did, or that I should want it – I told myself “wouldn’t anyone want this opportunity”? I hypnotized myself and went on auto-pilot – I began thinking this must be mine to take, because, in the classic “Me vs. them” world, if I don’t take it, someone else will!! Oh my, FEAR! Certainly we can’t let someone else have that opportunity, then what would happen to me? I’d lose?! I’d be left behind?! I’d miss out? I’d fail some test that God set out for me to see if I’m worthy? And on and on, down this thought pattern I go – like I had hypnotized myself and had no other way to look or turn. Like a robot I just allowed this into my body and mind as fact – without taking the usual, mindful, discernment process.
Then the headache came. And it was a good one. Like most of us, I wanted this headache to just go away so I could get on with my life! I tried relaxing, I tried some yoga, and finally, I tried some ibuprofin. The ibuprofin did not touch my headache, not even a little bit. Our bodies are very smart, and mine was doing it’s best to catch my attention. Something was amiss – my body knew it far before I did.
But then I did an interesting project – in my mind, not even really connected to anything currently going on. For this project, I journaled about my life – not as it currently is but rather as I see it unfolding in the near future. In other words, I wrote about my imagined life in present tense, here and now. I let my imagination run wild (after all, we have established I have a good one!) with abundance of all kinds – I wrote up the most amazing life for myself! In this life, I have lots of free time to read, relax, walk, play with the dogs, ride horses, etc. etc. I have lots of travel opportunities all around the world. I have abundance in my work and my greatest reward is in serving my fellow humans in the way that satisfies and fits me most – healing, growth, and spiritual awareness through yoga and Ayurveda. And best of all, I have a healthy, happy, loving family and friendships and relationships that are deep, meaningful, and mutually supportive. Why not? After all, I do believe this is what is meant for all of us!
When I was done writing, I took a step back and read it closely. I started thinking about this future opportunity, and to my surprise, nowhere did I see it fitting in. In fact, if I did indeed take this up, this beautiful life I just wrote about couldn’t exist! It wouldn’t be possible! I would be busy, busy, busy, all the time. Other people would own my time, would in fact, own a piece of me. CLICK – the lightbulb went on. Haven’t I already been through this before? Didn’t I already learn this lesson? I awoke from the hypnosis – I realized that I absolutely did not want that opportunity (although I’m always grateful to have them presented!). A wave of relief washed over my body and my mind. Tension that I didn’t even know I was starting to carry was released and joy took its place. And, yes, my headache disappeared. True, someone else will get that opportunity, and that’s wonderful. I am happy for him/her, and I am equally happy that I get to pursue the life that I have imagined…simple and beautiful. Because it’s not a “me vs. them world”, and in my highest mind, I know that is true.
All this does get me thinking – this survivalist mentally must come from somewhere – perhaps we still are all, on some level in our cellular memory, on a “kill or be killed” mentality. But in forgetting who I am, I diminish myself, my gifts, and my unique expression and take on life. I put others on a pedestal, and myself below. Or, I put myself up high, and others below. The lower mind (manas) tries so desperately to convince me that this is the way life is: always a hierarchy, and it’s up to me to determine where I fit. It takes practice and mindfulness to stay in the Center, and choose to stay on the same level with everyone else – including great spiritual teachers, top athletes, beggars and thieves, and allow the companionship and support that is available when we do. Connectedness instead of separation. Trust instead of fear. Thriving instead of merely surviving.
When these moments of great clarity come, I am reminded that there is something bigger, more complete, more Real than the illusion we typically fall under. There is no such thing as “me” vs. “them”! I watch the leaves raining down, and I remember who I am. I remember that I’m connected, and that we are all unique, special, gifted, and we are all One. Deep sigh of relief, deep sense of peace. Until tomorrow…
Namaste,
Keri
Crossroads
August 5th, 2011
The visual of “being at a crossroads” brings to mind an individual standing alone, still, quiet, waiting. Perhaps he or she does not even know how long the wait may be. This person could be antsy, frustrated and irritated, pacing around like a caged lion. Or this person could be calm, still, steady and watchful, listening and aware of the moment, listening to the language of Nature. If we choose the first method, we will have lost a great opportunity for growth, as human beings and as Spiritual beings. But if we take the second approach, calmly abiding at the crossroads, we can completely change our life – infusing it with the power of the Divine. Because for those moments the busy-ness, to-do lists and agendas, gains and losses, successes and failures, all fade into the background of our awareness as Truth takes up center stage.
A crossroads indicates a “still point” in our life as we stand in the center and take a good look around and a deep breath in and out. In these moments, we become deeply aware of our surroundings – the breeze against our skin, the songs of the birds, the warmth of the sun. We become aware of ourselves and can be truthful about how much are we carrying around in our backpacks, i.e., we can ask ourselves: what kind of baggage do I carry around all day, each day? What painful experiences do I carry around, affecting me in each moment? Which successful experiences do I still try to re-live now? How deeply fused has my Soul Purpose been with my actions, day to day, or have I lost my way?
Although these moments may be filled with both difficult truths and pleasant ones, we do see clearly, like looking into a clean pond on a calm day. We are not dizzy or blindfolded. We are not sticking our fingers in our ears saying “la-la-la!” Oh, admit it, we’ve all done it! These crossroad moments are profound, sacred moments in life, ripe with a possibility that is beyond our comprehension. Bubbling with an opportunity of finding deeper meaning, connection, and purpose in our life.
When we come across a crossroad we get to make a mindful, mature decision about which way we want to go next. The truth is, we are always making choices and decisions – the difference comes with the mindfulness, or the awareness with which choices are made. Truth is laid out so bare in these moments as you “empty your backpack”, and it’s as if we can see ourselves from a ten-thousand foot level – where we’ve been, where we are now, and what options we have going forward. I suppose it’s similar to what I imagine happens when we die – we get an opportunity to watch our lives, how we helped or hurt others, how our seemingly small words and actions had larger ramifications, how we connected or disconnected from God, or the Divine.
We can always let these opportunities pass by, just occupying ourselves with whatever we can until we can get busy doing what we’ve always done. We can pretend it’s not happening, we can tell ourselves it’s nothing. How many times have we turned away from the deeper call already?
If we choose to go the same way we always have, we will continue to get what we’ve always got. We can certainly choose this path, and make no mistake it is a choice! It’s like slowly carving grooves in the ground deeper and deeper and then going around and around like a children’s train set. It may seem easier than taking a new path since a new path always takes more upfront effort, but in the long run we are digging ourselves into such a rut that we may not be able to get out. And then it’s like going through life blindfolded, bumping into ourselves and others, regularly hurting ourselves and others, and to make matters worse, completely unaware we are doing it.
Instead, if we choose to take these opportunities as they are meant to be, it can sometimes be a little like turning the lights on in a dark room. The illuminated truth may hurt a little at first, but we soon get accustomed, and we would never, could never, go back to the blindfold again. In fact, once we’ve received a little light, we crave more and more.
I am making a choice this year, my 40th year, to spend some time at these crossroads. I want to take all the pieces of what I’ve learned over the years and instead of allowing them to collect dust on a shelf, regularly apply them to daily life in a more integrated, complete way, personally, professionally and spiritually. I am setting a Sankalpa (intention) to let go of old, habitual ways of reacting to the world and others. I wish to put down the many weapons, coping mechanisms and self-talk that have tied me down and tied me up over the years and that stem from the same tired fears, anxieties and myopic belief systems that have already made far too many decisions in my life. I choose to replace them with self-affirming, life-creating positive affirmations of love and connectedness, and with a real understanding that my life matters, and that my work here is important, which is true for all of us.
I am therefore choosing, from this moment forward, to make a deeper connection to this world and all its’ inhabitants, plant, animal, human, knowing that each is a reflection of the Divine, showing me yet another piece of myself.
Fourty years marks a very special time in life, as do all major life markers. I feel that this year is a good time to park on the side of the road for a little while and evaluate. I plan to ask myself some difficult, yet illuminating questions: In what times in my life have my fears and anxieties caused me to lose an opportunity? In what instances has my ego been allowed to run rampant? And, just as importantly, in what times in my life have I allowed my true light to shine through, allowing my unique gifts to be expressed in the world? How much forgiveness and love have I held back? And how did these various experiences feel? In which ones did I feel closer to God and my True Self? Which times did I feel farther away, as if God were just an interesting, vague concept and not a real, personal experience?
I do not anticipate this happening within a course of a day, week or month. It doesn’t, of course, have an end point. It is simply an intention, said in a moment, and nurtured and remembered daily, in the moment. It is simply a small awakening, an acknowledgement that there is so much more to life than what I’ve allowed myself to experience! I plan to turn the lights on, slowly to as not to hurt myself, yet regularly and consistently so as not to fall back into those habits and conditioning that are so easy (and yet not).
In setting this intention, I am making a commitment to a fuller life. I am making a commitment for richer, more meaningful relationships. I am awakening to the possibility of what it can really mean to be a spark of the Divine walking this earth, and the blessing that it is, and then share that with everyone I meet, without exception. I plan to say “yes” more often to those things that nourish my soul and my heart, and “no” to those things that drain me.
This isn’t a brand new journey for me, of course I’ve been doing this self-work for many years. And yet this year it feels different – less talk and more action, perhaps. Less “oh that sounds nice” and instead a longing felt from deep within. “This is It”, my soul seems to be saying, “let’s be done with the ego-centered fears and desires and come back to Me.”
Of course we don’t need to turn 21, 40, 50, or 75 to find a crossroads. We can take this opportunity any time, in a yoga class, outside in Nature or sitting with a trusted friend. But we do need a few things if we are going to take this path. First, we need strength and courage. Like the Warrior II pose, it takes a steady gaze, and a sturdy foundation to become still and allow clarity to return. Second, like in any backbending posture, we need openness and vulnerability to let our hearts open wide to receive and give in the circle of life. Next, like a Standing Forward Bend, we need flexibility to reach and experience new depths and possibilities. And finally, like a great Yoga community, we need fellow travelers who will encourage us that we are OK, that we are doing fine, and that we are not alone.
I’d like to invite you on a similar journey, the same and yet different, as we are all the same and yet different. I invite you to take a moment to ask yourself what is it you really, truly want, and are you ready to give up some of the old habits in search of new territory?
I invite you on this soul-searching journey in any way that calls to you, but I am hopeful that yoga will be a part of it, and that I can be an honored witness on your journey as you are to mine! Please feel free to share your crossroad moments on this blog as you feel comfortable, and please keep watch for future crossroads articles! I am anticipating a year filled with growing wisdom, compassion, truth and Love.
Namaste,
Keri
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May 24th, 2011
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My Ayurvedic Cleanse Experience
April 20th, 2011
I just completed a two-week Ayurvedic cleanse/detox. Today is my first day technically “off” the detox. I’ve done various detoxing before, but this one had a couple of components in it that were quite different than ever before, and I feel that, in general, I had very good results.
The detox I did was called the Colorado Cleanse. It is led by Dr. John Douillard of LifeSpa in Boulder, CO each Spring and Fall. He is a leader in the field of Ayurveda in the West, yet I found his technique to be more a fusion of Western medicine and knowledge and Ayurveda than purely Ayurveda. That of course, makes it much more marketable and palatable for many, and therefore there were roughly 500 people throughout the US doing this cleanse together.
A unique aspect of this cleanse was the Complete Support Package, which I signed up for. This meant that everyone was starting together and would finish together, and we would all be connected via an online forum where we could post our experiences, get advice and suggestions from fellow cleansers, and just generally have a sense of community which made the cleanse so much easier to get through. It also included 4 weekly Group Conference Calls led by Dr. Douillard where he addressed some of the main concerns and questions people in the group were having, as well as give the protocol for the upcoming week. Finally, it included daily emails from Dr. Douillard which included reminders of what that particular day’s protocol was, inspirational words and testimonials, and some Q&A. I found the Complete Support Package to be a vital tool to completing this cleanse. I have a fair amount of self-discipline, but this one had some particular challenges, as you will see.
The first four days were a Pre-Cleanse; a ramping up period where we were to try to get off the following: coffee, pop, sugar, gluten, dairy, oil, nuts (but seeds were OK), heavy meat and any other foods that “probably come out of a package”. Also, we were asked to keep with three meals a day, no snacking, largest meal at lunch as Ayurveda recommends. We were to emphasize apple juice, apples and beets which help to thin the bile and flush the liver, pulling toxins out of the body. We also were eating (drinking) an extraordinary amount of green vegetables that we steamed and then pureed into a “smoothie” or soup. Finally, we began an herb protocol that continues throughout the entire cleanse and even for a few weeks following.
The Main Cleanse portion came next and lasted seven days. This was really the meat of the program. There were a couple of interesting facets to this segment. First, we were to eat a mono-diet of kitchari, also known as kitchadi (recipe below). Of course, no snacking in between! This kitchari is a combination of split mung beans and basmati rice, with Indian spices. It is a complete protein, and yet so simple to digest (Dr. Douillard called it baby food for grown-ups). It is true you did not even have to chew it as it was mushy and soft. Some people added even more water than the recipe called for and made it more “soupy”. I preferred mine a bit heavier. The theory behind eating kitchari for seven days was that the body, rather than having to work so hard at digesting various foods all the time (and particularly if we snack regularly, the body is always having to work to digest something), could turn to the matters of healing, rejuvenation, repair, growth, and detoxing. The other big piece of the Main Cleanse was the ghee (clarified butter) intake, which increased daily from 2 tsp to 10 tsp of melted ghee! Here is the quote from Dr. Douillard’s Book, Colorado Cleanse, describing why we did this:
“Each morning the ghee will force the body into a fat metabolic state. The more ghee you take the more fat the body must burn. During the seven days of the Main Cleanse the golden rule is to eat a no fat diet. Without fat in the diet the body will stay in fat metabolism all day. If a fatty food is eaten, the body will burn the dietary fat and stop burning body fat. In this way, the body slips into a fasting state even though you are still eating three meals a day. Such a fast forces toxic fats to be released as well as fat soluble molecules of emotion. During these seven days, the fat cells are emptied and fat, which is a stable and preferable fuel supply for the body, has replaced fast burning sugars.”
In a previous lecture that I heard from Dr. Douillard, he describes the benefit of being in a fat metabolic state, rather than a sugar metabolic state. They included better, deeper sleep, more stable mood throughout the day, an ability to “digest” emotions, thoughts and ideas, clarity of mind, calmness in body and stabilizes blood sugar (which is what usually leads us to snacking, binging, and craving). I can definitely attest to the feel-good high that comes from being in this state.
The final three days of the cleanse were dedicated to rekindling the digestive fire and preparing the body to digest foods again. It was very similar to the pre-cleanse as in no wheat, dairy, sugar, etc., and very simple fruits and veggies. This very important stage of the detox gave the body time to slowly start assimilating a variety of foods again and yet staying away from the really hard to digest foods.
My experience with this cleanse was, overall, very positive. Like many others on this cleanse, I had a headache for the first couple of days and felt generally crabby and low on energy as some of my favorite addictions (chai tea latte from Starbucks) were no longer allowed! Sugar has always been the hardest for me to stay off of for good. So this was an opportunity to clear that out. One interesting facet of this cleanse is that I was never hungry! In fact, during the pre-cleanse, with all those veggies, apples, beets, I was so full! I suppose it had something to do with the fact that we were also to be drinking ½ our body weight in ounces each day, which is really a lot of water when you start measuring it out.
I was both apprehensive and looking forward to the Main Cleanse, the kitchari mono-diet. I have read so much about the benefits of going on this kind of diet, even for 24-48 hours, that I was anxious to try it. My apprehensiveness came from the fact that it would be for seven days! But I really like kitchari, and have regularly eaten it in a rotation, so at least that piece was not in question as it was for many on this cleanse.
What I enjoyed most about the Main Cleanse was the simplicity. The fact that I always knew what I was having to eat, and therefore had to do no grocery shopping (I did that all on the front –end) and could focus in on so many other things than cooking. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook! But this was a nice treat. Many people on the cleanse varied the spices – making Italian kitchari, Mexican kitchari, etc., however I just stuck with the straight-forward Indian kitchari. I think this just stems from how much I enjoyed the simplicity and I didn’t want to take away from that.
The first few days were relatively comfortable. I didn’t have any side-effects, and I felt pretty good. But about day 4, I started having strong nerve pain running from my hips down into my legs. It was enough at times to bring me to tears! I spent a lot of time in Legs-up-the-wall pose to help alleviate that pain. But it did pass, and I attribute it to my body’s reaction to detoxing. The most challenging day was probably day 7. On this day, I started Yoga Study at 8:30 am. When that completed around 3:00 pm, I ran over to where my daughter Cameron was having a dance competition. My husband and other daughter had already been there since noon, and Cameron had not yet danced her second dance. I was getting hungry around 5:00/5:30 since that’s when I had been eating through the week! And of course, no snacking, so it was just water until 6:00 when she finished. Thinking we could go home, I went back to get Cameron, but she wanted to stay for the awards ceremony (which was nice as her group got two Gold 1st place trophies, and she would’ve been so sad to miss it just so I could go home and eat!) which put us home a little after 7:00 pm. I was famished! And it was my last meal of kitchari. Whew!
But there’s more…on that same night we were to take Castor oil, internally! I probably don’t have to explain why…! The idea is that we have been, during the main cleanse, moving so many toxins out of the tissues of the body, and have moved them to the digestive tract where now they can be eliminated. No details, I promise, except to say that Saturday night was a long night! J
Sunday morning left me weak and tired, so I was grateful it was a Sunday. I couldn’t wait to eat some strawberries that morning, and they tasted like pure heaven. But after a week of kitchari, the stress of trying to prepare meals, thinking of what I want, all of that business, started stressing me out! I tried to keep it simple, salads, oatmeal, steamed veggies, and some kind of protein source, but it wasn’t until I had a nice big baked potato (no butter, of course!) that I started to feel stronger again.
As today is the first day off, I’m feeling very at peace. Generally my body and mind feel calm, and I can think and remember clearly. My body has felt wonderful during asana practice, and I was able to keep up my daily walk for most of the cleanse (except that Saturday!) My digestive fire seems to be working really well, and I have no issues with that at all. Overall, I’m grateful to have gone through this cleanse. I learned so much about what my body really needs and wants, versus want my senses drive me to want. I recognize how cultured and trained we are to stay hooked on caffeine and sugar, and all kinds of pre-processed additive-packed fake foods, and yet how much our bodies love and literally thrive on natural, whole grains, fruits and veggies. As Dr. Douillard says, the body now understands that “the war is over”. The adrenals can calm down (the fight/flight response) and the general maintenance processes of the body can begin to work.
Granted, two weeks of a detox is not enough to heal all the damage we have done to our bodies over the years, and even if we have eaten a regularly clean diet, environmental toxins still impact us. And we all have emotional “housework” to be doing that sometimes just gets forgotten about in a dark corner of our body. So a yearly cleanse is usually recommended for all individuals, in the springtime, where nature is encouraging the lighter, cleaner diet.
It was not my personal goal on this cleanse to loose weight (although that was a goal for many), however I did loose five pounds. I will enjoy the process of putting it back on, in a healthy, mindful way!
My Kitchari Recipe (makes 2-3 servings)
½ cup Basmati Rice
½ cup Split Mung Beans (you can find these at Indian grocery stores. Co-ops do not have them that I have found!)
½ tsp (or more) of the following spices – cumin powder, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, turmeric, asafetida (a spice that helps with digestion, optional)
1 Tblp ginger
4 cups water
Boullion cube (I use the Rupunzel brand from VNF…so good)
Dry roast the spices in a small stockpot on med low for just a few seconds until they start to smoke but do not burn. Add beans and rice and stir to coat, a few seconds more. Add water and boullion cube and bring to boil. Lower to a simmer for 40-45 minutes. Add more water as you like. Yum.
Protected: Yoga Discussion 319Part 2
March 26th, 2011
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3 Part-Breath & Gentle Yoga
February 7th, 2011
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The first 20 minutes of this podcast is a detailed walk-through of the yoga practice of dirgha pranayam, or 3-Part Breath (Complete Breath). The final 30 minutes is a Gentle Yoga class that you may choose to follow along with following the 3 part breath. Enjoy!