Sattva, Rajas, Tamas - and You!

June 1, 2014

In Ayurveda we talk a lot about the tridosha (Three Humours) - the primary building-block substances of the physical universe: dense liquid or solid matter (kapha), heat and light (pitta), and breath/air and space (vata). We often discuss the doshas in terms of our physical bodies, our earth-bound plane of existence: basically, our anatomical and physiological components. In addition, we also use the triguna (Three Attributes) to describe the more subtle energies of the mental body, such as our individual temperaments and moral dispositions, as well as our psychological tendencies and behavioral patterns. The three gunas, or attributes that govern the astral (mental) plane, are sattva, tamas, and rajas.

In Yoga we often refer to the idea of achieving sattva - balance or harmony, related also to the word 'sat' which means "truth" in Sanskrit. This refers to a harmonious state of calm, quiet stillness in the mind; when we follow a sattvic way of life our thoughts, emotions, and then actions become clear and pure. Without sattva we could not distinguish or understand anything; and we could not have sattva without rajas and tamas, the two other gunas or mental states. Rajas is movement; kinetic energy and activity; rajas also means disturbance, but without it we couldn't move, we would just be stuck where we are. Tamas is the state of inertia, dullness and heaviness; tamas means darkness, but without it we would have no stability, nothing to keep us grounded. Each of us possesses all three of these mental qualities, to different extents. It's important to examine the mind's thoughts, habits, and tendencies to better understand the balance of the three gunas that comprise your own individual mental constitution, and to help ensure that the mind is operating at its most optimum state.

We can draw some parallels between the triguna and the tridosha, keeping in mind that they refer to different planes of the self: tamas most closely mirrors consistent kapha with its earthy, solid, slow qualities; rajas reflects the dynamism of vata's mobile, erratic tendencies. The sattvic state is most often paralleled with the clarity and focus of a balanced pitta dosha.

Kapha and Vata types need not despair, however -- this does not mean that only Pitta types can achieve a sattvic mental nature. Anyone can lead a sattvic life and have a harmonious mind and a balanced body; the only differences would be how we achieve this, and how sattva manifests in your unique constitutional make-up. For example, a perfectly balanced Vata person would be energetic, flexible and adaptable, and would have strong healing energy as well as an ability to initiate positive change and movement. A sattvic Kapha mind would be peaceful, content, compassionate, and stable, with a deep ability to be patient, loyal, loving, nurturing, and supportive. And a sattvic-yet-fiery (pitta) mental nature would have intelligence, clear perception, a courageous independence and innate tendency for being a good leader, as well as warmth, friendliness, and a general sense of good will.

We can achieve our own higher level of mental functioning by following certain "remedial measures" that will help us balance an excess of rajas or tamas in the mind. There are unique recommendations for each doshic type but in general, replacing negative habits with positive ones - for example, meditation, mantra, self-inquiry, and devotional practices - can help us achieve a more sattvic state of being. Ayurvedic nutritional guidelines also characterize foods according to whether they have a sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic effect on the body, so we can also adapt our diet to include more sattvic items to help us stay in balance, and to take less of other foods that cause excess agitation or lethargy in the system.

(You can join me later this month for a discussion on Sattvic Foods at the next "move ~ learn ~ eat" Holistic Dinner Party! Email kratuhealth @ gmail for details <3 )

Does your mind feel harmonious, disturbed, or darkened? Perhaps these states rotate and vary, maybe one or even two tend to dominate. When you feel your mood shift, take a moment to connect with the current of energy that runs through your mind, and your body. Notice whether you feel agitated or overly active, whether you feel lazy or low, or whether you feel clear-headed and in harmony with your surroundings. Building awareness of the qualities of your mental nature can go a long way toward understanding sources of imbalance or dis-ease in our physical body (for example, even modern medicine has finally accepted that mental and emotional stress can have an adverse effect on our physical health), and can also help illuminate the obstacles and patterns found in our more subtle mind-body. And incorporating practices into our life that help us connect with our inner essence - activities that help us tune in to our own clarity, truth, and balance - can help increase the sattvic energy in our being. So take time each day to sit in meditation or self-examination, engage in spiritual rituals, chant mantras and prayers, or any practice that promotes purity, love, compassion, and harmony with the self and the universe. Enjoy the balance that comes from a daily commitment to sattva!

 As always, please contact me with any questions or feedback. You can also post a Comment below!


Thanks for reading,

Katie :)


 

Self-Compassion

May 2014

"They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time." ~ That is a lyric from one of my favorite songs, "No Compassion" by the Talking Heads. I interpret this particular track as an exercise in irony and social commentary (so excellently entwined by David Byrne et al), highlighting both society's obsession with analyzing and dramatizing every one of our personal problems, and our lack of true interest in the plight of others. Of course, this could be considered an exaggeration of the extent of our culture's narcissism (perhaps greater in the 1970s and '80s!), but this song always brings a moment of self-reflection for me - I stop and ask myself, am I getting so overwhelmed with my own private concerns that I run out of energy to have compassion for anyone else?

This is where the concept of self-compassion comes in. When we are able to nourish our own selves with forgiveness, understanding, patience, and acceptance, we will then be able to turn to our friends and family with an open heart, open mind, and open arms. If we are constantly bogging down our mind with negative thoughts, we will never be able to see the light and love that exists in the universe, let alone be able to accept this light and love into our own selves or share it with others.

So whatever your "problems" are, realize that they are simply an impermanent obstacle to achieving your goals. Of course, most problems do not just go away - they often require hard work and determination to overcome - but by dwelling on them and allowing our problems to overwhelm our mind we give these impermanent things too much power, which could lead to thoughts about our problems pervading all aspects of our lives, putting us in a state of depression or anxiety. Utilize your yoga/meditation practice or regular exercise routine to help move the negative thoughts and emotions through your body, expelling them into the earth where nature will compost it. Then, once you've cleared your organism of this negativity, you can approach your problems with a more focused mind and get a better grasp of how to "fix" your problems with clarity and positivity.

Whatever your journey is to overcome in this life, you must be sure to have compassion for yourself, while also maintaining an awareness that everyone you encounter is also undergoing struggle and hardship. Recognizing this will help you to remember to be patient and forgiving, and that we are all one. Your problems may appear smaller or bigger than your neighbor's, but that is beside the point. The point is: Life is hard, and that's OK. So the next time you get caught up or overwhelmed, take a deep breath, and envision a big beaming light bursting out of your hearth, covering first yourself with its warm loving rays and allowing this to pervade your whole being, then radiate this compassionate love and warmth out to the universe.

Allow your heart to shine inward on yourself first, and then allow that love-light to reflect back out to others. Forgive yourself, and be patient even when you notice yourself getting caught up in your own problems. Remind yourself that growth and change is a slow process, filled with ups and downs, and that it's important to be gentle and understanding about your progress. Your self-love will help feed your ability to love and care for others, ultimately creating a positive cycle of compassion.

So love, forgive, and have compassion. For yourself, and for all creatures in the universe. It will be a daily struggle, but one worth the effort. Enjoy the journey ;) 


with love and compassion,

Katie

Ayurvedic Dinner Party! Tuesday 4/29 in Brooklyn

April 17, 2014

 You are invited to to a casual "move, learn, & eat" gathering at my Brooklyn apartment on Tuesday, April 29th, starting around 6pm (see below for schedule).

RSVPs are greatly appreciated so I can make enough space and food for everyone. Email me at kratuhealth @ gmail . com to let me know you're coming, and whether you're bringing anyone with you.


A $15-20 donation is requested to cover the meal and the class; you can give as you are able, no one turned away.

Can you make it to Bed-Stuy BK on the 29th? Please email kratuhealth @ gmail . com to RSVP!

If you can only make one part of the evening that's cool too, just let me know when to expect you. :) And if you can't come at all, please tell me another day(s)/date(s)/time(s) that would be better for you (if enough people could make it on a weekend, for example, instead of a weekday evening then maybe I'll schedule the next one for a weekend!).

Here's the basic outline of the evening (remember, Time is relative) --

Tuesday 4/29 Ayurveda Dinner Party!

6:00pm  Yoga

- Some basic movement followed by short&sweet breathing and meditation practice.

6:30pm  Lecture

- Find out what Ayurveda has to say about Spring, its effects on our bodies and minds and what we can do to feel our best during this time of year.

7:00pm  Dinner

- Enjoy a delicious, nutritious Ayurvedic meal with lovely new friends.

I hope to see you there!


with Love & Sunshine,

Katie :) 

New project: Intuitive Living!

Hey y'all!

Thanks so much for reading the KRATU Wellness blog. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm now collaborating on a new project - the "Intuitive Living" blog - with my friend Daniell Cohen, a fellow yogi and a fantastic photographer. We started it with the intention of inviting our readers to join us in the discovery of how to live intuitively, even in a chaotic city like ours. Daniell and I hope it will help others navigate modern life while staying tuned in to their own personal Truth, and to find ways to maintain Balance & Harmony even on the most hectic of days. :)

Check it out here:
http://intuitivelivingblog.tumblr.com/

Let me know what you think - I'd love to hear from you!

Much love,

Katie :)

P.S. Happy Holidays!!! Warm wishes for a season filled with light, comfort, and joy...

Coming Up: Chakra workshop, Saturday Nov. 9th in Brooklyn!

Journey Through the Chakra System: 

Exploring & Balancing Your 7 Major Energy Centers

2pm-4pm on Saturday, November 9th, 2013.

Hosted by Jai Yoga Arts in Brooklyn (www.JaiYogaArts.com), and presented by yours truly.

Staying Grounded in the Season of Change

Oct. 23, 2013

According to Ayurveda, the autumn season (roughly, September 15 - November 15) is dominated by vata dosha, which represents the cold, dry, subtle elements of Air and Space. This is a time of change, as summer transitions to winter and life begins the process of settling into a state of hibernation; the sun's light becomes weaker, the air grows colder, and days get shorter. Vata has a propensity toward instability and mobility too, as felt in the winds that rattle the tree-branches, and the leaves that change color then literally "fall", drifting and flitting down to the ground.

In fact, we can mirror the action of these leaves by embracing our own change-ability this season, and also find warmth and comfort by grounding ourselves and connecting with the Earth before winter's deep chill arrives. Ayurveda recommends that when Vata dominates, we take actions that help us stay in tune with Nature and its rhythms: a stable daily routine, for example, can help us avoid distraction and confusion, or feeling tossed to-and-fro in the airy winds of autumn. It's also important to turn inward (i.e., begin the process of digging a space to hibernate), to connect with our own inner flame and firmly establish our change-less "inner" Self  in our changing "outer" self: by connecting with that inner source of light and clarity, we feel less compelled by external sensations and less sensitive to erratic thoughts (which are tendencies of excess vata).

This two-month fall season, as stated by Bri. Maya Tiwari  in her book The Path of Practice, is a time when we "surrender" and "simplify"; as farmers harvest their crops, we too should be reaping what we've sowed in the past year. Autumn is an opportunity to slow down, reflect on our progress, take stock of our achievements and leave behind the habits or things which do not serve us. Gather the nuts and seeds that will sustain you, and stop wasting time on activities that don't support your survival or growth.  By getting a better handle on what is working in our life and what may not be, and by feeling more certain on our own two feet, we are better able to face the cold, sometimes depressing or at least insulating, darkness of the winter that lies ahead.

Reflections on immunity (ojas) from my Week of Sattva

As part of June's "Eating for Joy!" Sattvic Diet workshop, I was much more selective about the foods I consumed, and more involved in the preparation of each meal I ate during that week. I must note that I had had symptoms of allergies or a cold for a little over a week, leading into the workshop -- which also happened to follow a vacation that threw off my sleep schedule (not to mention my daily eating habits!); these symptoms were likely a result of the 'come-down' from that fun and lively Memorial Day road trip. Luckily, the Sattvic diet (aka the Yogic or Ayurvedic "pure" diet) calls for lots of fruit and vegetables, as well as of course tea, rest and peace&quiet, so I'm glad to say I was feeling much better at the end of the Week of Sattva than I did at the start. :)

But this 'cold' got me thinking about my immunity (ojas)*, or, they body's ability to maintain a healthy balance and protect itself against viruses, bacteria, improper food or environment, and other pathogens (i.e., disease or cellular dysfunction).

  * The term OJAS is technically or traditionally discussed in relation to an individual's sexuality, e.g., as "the subtle energy resulting from the preservation of sexual energy" (from Sri Swami Satchidananda's glossary in his The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali). This is mostly because ojas is related to the water element in the body (Kapha dosha), or our bodily 'juices' such as our reproductive secretions, and sex is seen as one of the quickest ways to deplete the body of this essential 'sap', though for those of us with drier constitutions (usually Vata types), this sap is less readily available in our natural states.  Kapha (the dosha dominated by Water and Earth) is a cohesive and nurturing force, and indeed, Svoboda describes ojas as a "subtle glue that cements the body, mind and spirit together, integrating them into a functioning individual" (Ayurveda: Life, Health and Longevity by Robert E Svoboda). He later underlines its importance by saying that ojas is "the apex of the body's nutrition pyramid... [Ojas is] both the cause and the effect of good digestion, and its conservation is essential to good health because it controls the immune system and generates the body's aura, ...a subtle shield against the entry of dangerous ethereal forces." As health relates to the state of our energetic and mental bodies as well as our physical body, this essential 'juice' is required for our well-being on all levels.

For most of my life I've been able to boast that I only get "sick" once or twice a year (I would sometimes wave it off as allergies rather than a common cold) - usually during the juncture of the seasons, whenever I got really stressed (remember how finals began in May?) or had a chaotic schedule - and that it only lasted two or three days, tops. Usually I was well enough to take the remedial measures that I knew to work best, avoiding the prescription and OTC drugs suggested or offered to me. With my body guiding my choices, I would take: plenty of water and tea; the purest fruit juice I could find (which means no sugar, and no caffeine!) and perhaps some kind of vitamin C or herbal supplement; soup and other light-yet-nourishing, simple and warming foods; and as much rest as I could. I would also generally catch it early enough that I would still have the energy to do a big cleaning of all my stuff and the spaces I was in most often, getting rid of any remaining bacteria and also making myself  - in addition to the air I was breathing and the things I was touching - feel cleaner and clearer. In no time at all the cold was a thing of the past and I was back to my regular, energetic self.

However, in the five and a half years I've been living in New York City (Brooklyn to be precise) I've noticed an increase in the frequency and duration of these 'allergy attacks' or colds, or whatever you prefer to call them. Sometimes the sneezing/congestion, brain fog, sore throat, and itchy eyes have lasted so long that I really did think I had developed seasonal allergies (I never had those as a kid). But whatever the symptoms add up to be, the "sickness" is a result of the environment and habits that now (or recently did) comprise my daily life: with waitressing came an upside-down sleep/wake cycle and a lack of access to proper meals and mealtimes; with the office job came the long cross-borough commute and late nights, eating lunch in front of the computer and taking dinner at midnight; and with the city of course comes opportunity and longing, temptation and distraction, stimulation and sensory-overload. Not to mention the overall pollution levels we encounter in New York -- from noise pollution to water pollution to plain ol' trash on the street -- as well as the onslaught of images that affect our mind's sense of harmony -- seeing impoverished populations first-hand, alongside media images of sexy indulgences. In Ayurveda our "diet" includes not only the food we eat, but also everything that we take in through all of our senses; needless to say the "Big Apple" diet is not generally considered the most nourishing or supportive, according to Ayurvedic recommendations.

Of course, I wouldn't trade my life in the city for anything (at least, not right now, when I'm still having such a good time!) nor do I intend to rant about the state of our society today.  I'll likewise spare you a soliloquy on my love affair with Brooklyn, and suffice it to say that I'm still on the quest that I began in the fall of 2007: to attain Zen in a subway car. My underlying goal is to find ways to stay in balance, despite the urban affront to my ojas (immunity).