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Consciousness!
Ayurveda is commonly known for its capacity to support healing of many conditions and to extend life itself. But Ayurveda is more than a science of picking the right foods and choosing balancing lifestyle practices.
At its very core, Ayurveda is a psycho-spiritual, energy science of consciousness. Ayurveda science is based on the idea that we are, in our essence, souls on a path of evolution to enlightenment or unification with God, the Infinite, or Source, or as you prefer to think about it.
Along this journey there are challenges which inspire us to go deeper within to know and return home to our true, unchanging soul identity as we loosen the grip of our conditioned up-down ego identity.
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The challenges may come in the form of health, work,
relationships, or the pressures from our society. These challenges are just what we need; they are our grit and gift. Without them, we would not be motivated to become the spiritual adventurer that is our deepest, truest, healthiest nature.
Being in harmony with this deep inner nature leads to radiant health. And radiant health prepares our physiology and energy body to recognize, call in, and hold the higher energies of this deep inner nature of pure consciousness. This is a mutually beneficial two-way relationship. They go hand-in-hand.
Live with radiant intention and be well, in gratitude,
Rhonda
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How Do We Awaken? 
In Ayurveda and Yoga we refer to the three gunas. Tamas is a state of darkness, lethargy, and inertia where we are unaware of our connection to Spirit and we can be harmful to ourselves or others in small or major ways. Rajas is activity and distraction that wraps us in the drama of our lives and emotions of fear, anxiety, anger, and attachment. In our ego personality, rajas and tamas are our states of being reactive and unaware and this leads to disease.
Sattva is clarity and purity. When our minds are pure we are connected to God or pure consciousness. Sattva is the sole cause of health. Sattvic actions include eating real, pesticide-free food in a peaceful environment, meditating, spending time in Nature, going to bed and arising early, and loving. All 3 Gunas show up in our lives, but when we increasingly lead a sattvic life, we are able to enter the state of Sattva where we are awakened to the light within.
Why is it so difficult to lead a Sattvic life? Because we are not yet fully awakened to our deepest spiritual nature. Our human nature desires what gives us pleasure and the highs, even though those moments are fleeting. Even with occasional highs, we wind up not very satisfied and desiring more. We reject the lows, although often not very easily. Ayurveda and the Sattvic life brings us peace that sustains us and brings blissful joy.
 So how do we get to a Sattvic life? We need to walk through the fire of our own self awakening. This is an honest process and can be uncomfortable. Many people turn away when the journey is not pleasurable. The light of this fire can hurt your eyes. But if you persist, you become a spiritual adventurer back to your true radiant nature.
Perhaps the greatest practice to support your journey of awakening is meditation or prayer. The light of God or the Infinite lies in the quietude of consciousness and meditation/prayer can give us that direct experience which fills and sustains us. We might begin with a daily practice of meditation and with time and mindfulness, our lives become a meditation. With meditation as a foundation we can continue to lean into Sattvic practices which are the same as Ayurveda practices of healthy, pure diet and lifestyle and of course meditation.
As we return to our true nature, we rejoin pure consciousness from which we were born. In Ayurveda we come from Parusha--pure consciousness and when we live in balance and harmony and purity, we return there. The practices of Ayurveda and Yoga prepare us physically, emotionally, spiritually, and energetically for this journey home.
Okay--this all being said...and I know its a lot...take in what you can and be open to more ways to learn about and move forward into your own awakening. Be sweet and patient with yourself as you do your best in a formidable world. Enjoy that pizza with friends and an occasional glass of wine. In my view, there is nothing more Sattvic than to enjoy your life and the people in it.
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Living the Sattvic Life
Go Within
- Set aside time each day for meditation and/or prayer
- Become an internal, loving observer of your thoughts and feelings.
- Do yoga, especially some daily breathing practices for daily movement and ritual.
Cook with Love
- When you cook for yourself or others be in a loving state of mind. That love goes into the food as the vibration of the cook enters the food.
- Play uplifting music while preparing food if you like.
- Only select the freshest, most colorful and radiant whole food [nothing processed] ingredients from the grocery or your garden.
- Eat leafy greens, like spinach and kale, which produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Eat in Bliss
- Be settled as you eat, turn off the TV, pay attention to what you are eating.
- Make the food and table arrangements attractive.
- Give thanks and appreciation for the many hands that took part to bring this meal to your table.
- Take in the aromas of the food.
- Eat slowly with full taste of your food.
- Drink only a little warm water with a meal--about 1/2 cup.Add a slice of lemon if you like.
- Enjoy the conversation.
- Linger after the meal to let it settle before rushing off.
Live in Love
- Show love to those around you
- Consider the ojas building herbs of ashwagandha and shatavari.
- Play with children and pets.
- Smell and eat oranges for a feeling of well-being.
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When addictive victim mentality arises, let it be a signal that you need to call in higher awareness as you remember who you are and your true source.
- Add plants to your home and especially aloe in the bedroom to promote good sleep.
- Go to be bed by 10pm and arise early.
- Pay attention---to whom you pass on the street, to whom is standing near you in the check out lane, with whom you are dining, what you see in Nature while walking.
- Have a giving attitude...always be humble and kind.
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Classes in Kalamazoo
Rhonda Egidio, Ph. D. is an Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner with great passion for sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda and the simple yet effective practices that
can make important
upgrades to our digestion and overall radiant health. For more info visit: http://RadiantLifeAyurveda.com
Classes resume in February
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Personal Ayurveda Consultations in Kalamazoo, MI
R
hond
a Egidio Ph.D., R.A.A.P, [Registered Advanced Ayurveda Profe
ssional] provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health
concerns, diet, sleep and lifestyle and offers Ayu
rvedic
recommendations. It's a good idea to get a baseline assessment to help you to apply Ayurveda knowledge in a customized way to your particular needs.
Check out
assessment and session options.
Rhonda Egidio, 269-345-2991
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Look mindfully into the photo or read the quote below....same sentiment.
"Sattva is the quality of clarity and purity. When our minds are sattvic, or pure, there is a natural innate connection between ourselves and God. With this awareness, our highest most virtuous qualities manifest. Our minds are much like a still lake and the light that reflects through it is the light of God."
by Marc Halpern
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Milck Sings
Ooh-oo Child
She will hold you tenderly in her interpretation of this classic song. A fitting follow up to her women's anthem
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh-oo child
Things'll get brighter
Some day, yeah
We'll put it together and we'll get it all done
Some day
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter
Ooh-oo child
Things are gonna be easier
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Sattvic Foods
Sattvic foods are simple, organically grown foods that radiate good color and freshness. They are loaded with life force.
Examples are:
Nuts and Seeds - Brazil nuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
Vegetables - greens, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, squash
Whole Grains - amaranth, quinoa, white basmati rice
Juicy Fruits - pomegranate, mango, cherries, melons, grapes
Raw Milk - if you can get it.
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Very Sattvic
Almond Date Shake
1 C almond milk
2 pinches cinnamon
2 whole dates
1/8" fresh grated ginger
Soak dates in warm water until you can remove the skin and pit. Heat the milk and then mix all ingredients in a blender. Drink warm.
For an even more sattvic, restorative effect use raw cow's milk if you can get it and a small dollop of ghee.
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Meditate With Oprah and Deepak
Their theme this time is "Making Every Moment Count"
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Thank You Spirit Healers
A special thanks to the spirit healers who are supporting us at this tender time in our culture. Take care.
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More Free Guides
from
Banyan Botanicals
Check out even more free guides here on my website
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Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters.
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