Ayurveda's Inner Medicine Healing

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PART THREE: UNIT 12 food. The food sadhanas and dietary recommendations that are presented in this curriculum are derived from the unique education at Wise Earth School of Ayurv- eda. These food sadhana principles and practices are sacred rites that will help Ayurveda’s Inner Medicine you develop your awareness of food, and your ability to live within nature’s Healing: rhythms. Sadhana practice is meditation in motion. Atharva Veda informs that our food, our body, and nature are all one entity. The flesh of our body is the same as the flesh of a melon. Our bodily fluids are the same as the milk of a coconut. Our hands and legs are like the limbs of a tree; the leaves of a tree are our lungs, and its bark is our skin. When we treat the earth’s food irreverently, it bleeds. When rivers are polluted, they choke. And when a for- est is clear cut, it dies. This principle of living in reverence with the earth also ap- plies to our sacred body. We begin the food sadhana practices by reclaiming the use of our sacred limbs.

Reclaiming Our Limbs of Sadhana.

The Vedic people recognized the power held in the hand. The Hindu deities intro- The essence of all things here is the Earth. The essence of Earth is water. The essence of duced the science of mudra, (the word mudra is derived from the Sanskrit root mud - to delight or gladden). The celestials taught this practice to the seers and water is plants. The essence of plants is a person. sages of ancient India. They practiced these special hand gestures to receive and gather the universe’s energy and to seal off negative influences from entering the --Taittiriya Upanishad body, and mind. The intention of mudra practice is to acquaint yourself with your limbs and the spiritual practices that may bring serenity to your heart and mind. Let’s take this text a step further and ask ourselves: what is the essence of a per- The ancient Vedic tradition of eating food with the hands is derived from mudra son? According to Wise Earth Ayurveda, it is the fundamental nature that is practice. Gathering the fingertips as they touch the food stimulates the five ele- uniquely ours and connects us to the universe. We are all embarked on a lifelong ments and invites agni to bring forth the digestive juices even before it reaches the quest for consciousness, which emerges from the cultivation of awareness, the in- mouth. Each finger is an extension of one of the five elements. Each serves to aid ner knowing that depends entirely on the harmonious relationship we develop the transformation of food before it passes on to internal digestion. In Wise Earth with nature. The practice of food sadhana restores our cognitive memory and our tradition of Ayurveda, we pay special emphasis to using our sacred instrument of ability to heal ourselves of physical disease and emotional wounds. Open your hands for food preparation. This is a paramount step in reclaiming your healing heart to Mother Nature’s wisdom, feast at her table, and you will never go hungry. energies through food sadhana. Massage your hands when you wash grains and At Wise Earth School of Ayurveda we have discovered that whatever our present legumes. Knead your energies into your dough. Roll out and pat flat breads with health condition or constitution or karma, it can be improved and even made re- your hands. Tear leafy greens with your fingers. Warm your hands by mashing splendent through the reverent practices of Ayurvedic sadhana, most especially

67 © 1981 - 2014 Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, Ltd. All rights reserved. potatoes with them. At the end of the day, celebrate your hands by anointing them world. We are propelled only by collective memory. We need to remember, to re- with a soothing oil or cream. connect as a collective whole.

When the hand must have a medium, use the grinding stone or mortar and pestle, Hands are considered our most precious organs of action. In Vedic thought, hands the suribachi for positive energy provided by clockwise motion. This is sadhana. and feet are said to be the conduits of the five elements—space, air, fire, water, The closer to nature each utensil or apparatus, the more connected the prepared earth. One of the five elements courses through each finger. (See box.) food will be to the energies of the cosmos. Thumb - Space The motion of a hand grinder compels our intuition, or cognitive remembering. This motion transports us to the realm of timelessness, to the sadhana of medita- Index finger - Air tion. We are given these hands and feet so that we may bond gently with the Middle finger - Fire Earth. We are meant to use both hands and feet in providing for our sustenance. This is the most important act of all sadhanas. From planting the good seed to Ring finger - Water nourishing the dhatus and releasing bodily waste, reinvested into the soil to con- tinue its complex cycles of fertilization, we are tending to only one sadhana. When Pinky - Earth we squat close to the land to sow and dig into her soil, we begin to know the Mudra: The Hand of Sadhana. Our continuous dance with the five elements Mother Goddess by the smell and touch of Her rich earth deep within. When we leave the garden, we are transformed by this soil and water. When we use our limbs in accord with the sacred laws of nature, we worship and praise the omniscient divinity in all things and strengthen our inner resources for Before juicing machines were invented, pulped fruits were juiced in big vats by the healing. Offer gratitude to the Mother Nature with them. Cradle both the young feet of villagers in the same way that grapes were stomped on to make wine. Long and elderly in your arms, bringing your hands close to your heart. In this harmo- ago, bakers use their feet to knead large amounts of dough for making bread for nious exchange, the living breath of the earth’s precious food infuses your entire the community. In those days, people died of old age or the plague, not from de- being, stimulating the vibrations of your heart. When we feed our young children generative diseases, such as cancer or heart disease, or from AIDS and mental dis- by directing the flow of our milk into their mouths, we are gathering up and shar- orders, as now. ing with them all the maternal energies of the universe. According to the Ayurve- A hand of sadhana will heal others. It is charged with the prana of the five ele- das, a newborn should be given a mild emetic made from rock salt and medicinal ments, which when used harmoniously is in constant touch and exchange with na- ghee directly after birth. The mixture is placed in the right hand of the child and ture. This exercise gives poignant vitality to our subtle energies, held within the the hand is then guided to his or her mouth. Likewise, when we clasp our hands core of the universe’s cosmic memory until we are ready to use them. The hands in prayer, we activate the elements within our hands, stimulating a surge of height- and feet are at either extreme of the physical body. Together and symbolically they ened consciousness throughout the body. can span the boundaries of our relationship with the universe. Our hands touch In Wise Earth’s Intermediate Level Course which deals with our inner medicine the wind, space, and fire; our feet touch upon the air and tread water and earth. potential, we will explore in detail the subject of Mudra hand postures that acti- Both are in continuous communion with the five elements. Our feet carry us from vate specific healing energies within the body and mind. A Vedic prayer to gener- place to place. Our hands embrace, offer, and receive. Every fiber of memory strives toward motion, as a young life begins to walk and touch the objects of the 68 © 1981 - 2014 Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, Ltd. All rights reserved. ate healing energy in your hands is presented in the introduction to Vedic Chant- measure is cosmically designed to gauge spices and herbs, such as cinnamon ing, beginning on page 71. sticks, ginger, and turmeric root.

Receiving Mother Nature’s Food Using Your Hands To Measure Food

In the Vedas hands and feet are referred to as “organs of action.” By being con- Amount in your cupped hands!=!your equivalent of 1 cup (1 anjali) scious of the use of our organs of action, we engage in the moment-tomoment remembering of the five elements of our nature. Size of your pinch!=!!!your equivalent of 1/8 teaspoon Size of three-finger pinch!=!!your equivalent of 1/2 teaspoon Our hands are a vital extension of cosmic energy that enable us to receive, give, touch, and be in touch with, creation. this way of sadhana exhorts us to use our Size of five-finger pinch!=!!your equivalent of 1 teaspoon body as a ruler and measuring cup for all our needs. We are born with the “instru- Size in your palm!=!!!your equivalent of 1 tablespoon ments” we need to exercise our gifts for practicing sadhana, including those Length of your finger joint!=!!your equivalent of 3/4 inch (1 angula) needed to feel and measure foods as we prepare them.

Use only those tools that are absolutely necessary. As soon as possible, give up us- According to the Vedic principle of dana - open-handedness - interacting with ing measuring cups and spoons, and useless kitchen paraphernalia. These ad- Mother Nature, receiving her gifts, and giving something back to her, is of one of juncts are distracting and interrupt your direct energetic exchange with the food. the virtues that cultivates personal consciousness. Nourishment from nature’s Furthermore, they interrupt the development of your intuitive power. It may be food is intended to foster our ability to become conscious, awareful, and give of difficult at first to take this conscious step, to trust the accuracy of your own ourselves. The more we give, the greater our gifts become. As we move closer to physical-spiritual apparatus. With time, you will become comfortable enough to the spirit of selfless sacrifice, we move more deeply into consciousness. So impor- return to the original and natural system of measurement. tant is the spirit of “open-handedness” that the seers devised dana mudra as a way to cultivate this extraordinary virtue.

In keeping with this principle, you need to become comfortable using your hands Harmony in Eating and eyes for all measuring. In so doing, you are perfecting your relationship with Eating is a wonderful act of sadhana. It brings the fire from Divine Nature nature and apt to increase joy, nurturance, and delight in your everyday life. In through our hands and fingers into the food, and then joins it with the fire of diges- Ayurveda, the term anjali refers to the mudra of clasping the hands together in tion, agni. If we are aware of awakening the fire within ourselves, we digest the prayer pose, and also to the volume that can be held by your two hands cupped food more smoothly. It is said in the Vedas that only when the digestive system is together. Using our limbs as an extension of our inner medicine, two anjalis of awry can disease arise in the body. grain or vegetable from your hands is designed by nature to fill your own stom- ach. When you are cooking for others use two anjalis for each adult, and one anjali Here are a handful of simple guidelines to help you honor the sadhana of food and for each child. Likewise, you gauge your spices, or accents with your own pinch. facilitate digestion: Like your handful, it is tailored to provide suitable amount for your own personal needs. Angula refers to the distance between the joints of each finger. This unit of 69 © 1981 - 2014 Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, Ltd. All rights reserved. • Include all six tastes in your meal.

After eating sit quietly and notice how your body and emotions react to the food • Maintain a consistent mealtime schedule. • you have eaten. • Be mindful of your conversations during meals. It is best to observe silence or a general air of quietude during meals.

• Ayurveda recommends the drinking of water an hour or so before or after Food as Medicine: Inner Medicine Healing meals. Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. • Chew your food well and be mindful of its smells, tastes, textures, and the sounds it makes while you are ingesting it. --Hippocrates

• Be mindful of your digestion during meals. Never eat when you are upset. Wholesome foods turn sour in our digestive tracts when we experience negative emotions while eating. Next To Breathing, Eating Is Our Most Vital Bodily Function

• Allow a few hours to pass between meals and bedtime. We nourish ourselves by converting the energy and information of plants into the biological intelligence of our body. Just as weak lumber results in an unsound • Sit on your heels for ﬁfteen minutes after meals, or take a gentle walk to encour- building, poor nutrition leads to an unhealthy body. To create and maintain a age proper digestion. Never eat and run. Never eat while standing up or lying healthy physiology our food must be nourishing, our digestive power strong and down. our elimination efﬁcient. Ideal nutrition results from consuming a variety of foods • Eat only when you feel hungry. If it means you are famished and 10 means your that are appropriately prepared and eaten with awareness. A balanced diet con- totally full. Eat when you feel at 2 or 3. taining a medley of tastes provides nourishment for our body and mind.

• Eat in a quiet, prepared and comfortable environment.

• Eat whilst you are seated and calm. Key Points • Do not drink or eat ice cold food or beverage. Our digestive power is comparable to an internal fire that governs the breakdown • Stay completely attentive to all the food you are eating. and metabolism of the food we eat. When our digestive fire is strong and healthy, we are able to extract the greatest level of nourishment from our diet. If our diges- • Be clear about the amount you eat ensuring that your plate is not completely full and you allow space for you to digest your food. Try to consider this before you tive power is weak, even the healthiest substances may not be properly utilized. begin to eat. When our digestive power is not adequate to completely metabolize the food we • Eat freshly prepared food. eat, a residue of undigested substances is left behind in our physiology. This toxic residue weakens the efficiency of our digestive system, leading to problems such • Lightly cook any raw foods rather than eat uncooked. as constipation, fatigue, bad breath and low energy. • Eat, vegetables, beans, rice, fruit, warm milk.

70 © 1981 - 2014 Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, Ltd. All rights reserved. The strength of our appetite reflects the underlying state of our digestive fire. A strong appetite is necessary to help us digest and absorb the food we eat. The fol- lowing suggestions will help you cultivate a healthy appetite, improve digestive efficiency and reduce the amount of toxicity in your system. Don’t eat unless you’re hungry. Think of your capacity for food as an “appetite gauge” – where 1 on the dial means you are famished and 10 means you are completely full – eat when your appetite drops to 2-3. Stop eating when you’re satisfied, or when your “appetite gauge” is 6-7. Remember that food is for nutrition. Continuing to eat after the point of satiety overloads the digestive system resulting in a build up of toxicity in your physiology. In her infinite wisdom, Nature has packaged all possible food sources into six tastes as a way to inform us about each food’s influence on our mind body physiology. All six tastes should be eaten at every meal for us to feel satisfied and to insure that all major food groups and nutrients and repre- sented.