[I believe this is a J. Hisch graphic. Love her stuff.]
I woke up at 6:15 this morning. That is early. Trying to make it a routine...to rise with the sun. The message below is one of the 1st my eyes caught this morning.
Love is a beautiful, precious and delicious gift from the Divine that lives inside every atom,of your body. Open the channels of your heart and let if flow out to every part of nature: man, woman, plant, animal, mineral and vegetable. Take your next step. Open your heart one size larger and watch how your life changes. Health is love. Healing is loving more today than you did yesterday!- Om Shanti, Dr. Marc Halpern
In this talk from RSA Animate, bestselling author Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways it has shaped human development and society.
Rifkin asks, "Can we reach biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avert planetary collapse?"...interesting stuff
The dance goes from realizing that you're separate (which is the awakening) to then trying to find your way back into the totality of which you are not only a part, but which you are.
I guess it'd be accurate to say that I am feeling pretty rad right now...just picked up the new apartment keys! We officially move in tomorrow. Very exciting. Great part of town and a nice, spacious, wood floor place. Cannot wait to get cooking in that kitchen!
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I woke up a very happy gal. For many reasons.
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Oh! Got a special email from Italia yesterday and couldn't help but melt and laugh out loud at the quality of English. Here's a little taste:
Juliaaaaa... sorry for my late but i'm i came back now from the mountain and i'm follow inside a big work before harvest.
Your chocolate is arrived...and is also already finish. thanks alot...was a surprise. Also Ettore was very happy and send to you a lot af hallo.
I hope you good and alot of happyness now who you are again at home.
Here all is great...like always... and ready to pick the grape.
your tomatos in garden are very good.
...and so on. Made my heart smile and made me wish I had an endless pit of cash lying around so that I could go help with the harvest! I have promised myself that within a couple of years I will return to Valgiano and squish barrel loads of freshly-picked grapes with my bare feet. What delight that must be!
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Speaking of such things, a selection of Europe pics are here, if you're interested
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I find myself meeting more and more people who are riding the same, awesome wave-length as me lately and I am loving it! I ask myself: have these people always been roaming the lands and I've been blind to them? Or is an overall shift of consciousness taking place within our culture? I tend to think both carry some truth....but in my case, I have especially noticed that the energy you emit is the energy you attract. So when you feel great, are full of love, compassion, gratitude, you meet people who are functioning on the same/similar vibrational level.
So, over the weekend an unexpected, metaphorical storm swept through and left some very unpleasant and hurtful debris from the past. That debris is being cleaned up right now and instead of writing about the not-so-old wound that was ripped open again (and is healing again and even stronger as we speak...type), I've decided to focus on things that I am grateful for. I consider myself one of the luckiest humans alive and think it's important for all of us to take time to be thankful.
I know it sounds a bit corny, but when you dedicate time (even 2 minutes!) to express gratitude for the amazing things you have, you'll probably receive more of the same and it also serves to diminish the less than perfect aspects of your existence. So, in no particular order, I am grateful for:
-fireflies -the changing leaves of a Vermont autumn -real Vermonters -my incredibly supportive and amazing, drama-free family -the friends who have been there through it all (also drama-free) -freshly ground peanut butter -shared experience -my inner guide -the Truth and how it always reveals itself -the smell of the atmosphere after a rainstorm -fingernails with dirt beneath them -Jones -bikes -spontaneous adventures alone or with loves -the sound of the Mediterranean crashing against rocks during a sweet Italian night -the scar on my leg that will always remind me of such a beautiful weekend -Walnut Hill (Natick, MA) -fresh honey -bees and everything about them -literature that makes you want to dive into the text and eat the words -poetry -rainy Sundays -BBQs -the abundance of love in this Universe and how it always prevails -compassion -humility -thirsts for knowledge -Chloe -starry nights where you have nothing to do but lie in the grass, look up, and marvel -yoga -my new food processor -herbs -healing powers -reiki -gelato -the constant motion of rivers -the fields in Germany -Ayurveda -Ballet Memphis -the smell of sun on a pillow -happy memories -laughter -wisdom -wine -music music music -an active body -brownie batter -cooking in general -journals -authenticity -my toe ring which has been on for over 5 years -Chicago -Paris -All of the opportunities I've been given and have taken advantage of -New York City -hilarious abbreviations (ridic, adorbs, def, deets, sitch, nervo pervo) -the light -enlightenment -epiphanies -The Universe and it's mysterious, beautiful and wondrous ways -wild flowers
-NPR -the scar on my forehead -Olivia (the Olivia that Cathy named!) -my gigantic backpack -Bristol Yoga -remembering who I am -the people who have helped me remember -the crazy characters I come across while traveling - being playful -cappuccinos -picnics -summer days on the lake -broken English -foreign languages -Bali (because I will go there one day) -fossils -purging (not in the throwing up sense, but in the getting rid of a bunch of material stuff you don't need sense) -cleansing (in every sense) -massages -Church Street -freedom -the moments when I trust the path I am on (those moments become less and less rare) -Grass Valley, CA -the possibility of house-sitting in France -simplicity -color -people who aren't judgmental -being well-differentiated -skateboards -Pandora -forests -dirt paths -silence -not being afraid to live loudly and courageously -the myriad role models in my life -safety -risk -community and the concept of "home" -knowing when to let go, and the freedom of doing so
-This night in Paris in 2007 (even C.K-H. calling me "lame", haha):
-cheese. like, really.....I love cheese. Cow, goat, sheep, bring it on! -and while we're at it: chocolate -cold microbrews -meeting up with girlfriends at a vino bar -that guy on the street who helped me out with my bike a few days ago -change -the impermanence of most things, and the permanence of what matters -shedding the ego -being aware, awake -sunrises, sunsets -the variety of our race -Toms -staying true to myself -pods around the world where vanity is close to nonexistent -volunteer work -snow snow snow -homemade marshmallows -hot cocoa (obvi) -hop scotch -sand -drumming -moments of pure peace -the guidance I have there when I need it -an open sky of possibility -odds are, I am grateful for you! -surrendering to things not meant to be resisted -everyday beauty -making the right decisions -never feeling like I need to be anybody else -the trees around me
The last thing I do is step out to the back yard for a quick look at the Milky Way.
The stars are halogen-blue. The constellations, whose names I have long since forgotten, look down anonymously, and the whole galaxy is cartwheeling in silence through the night.
What a deliciously delightful day I had! Woke up early, greeted the rising sun, got a bunch of stuff done at home and then....went to Old Spokes and got a new (well, used) bike! I am so in love with it, could not be happier. It's a hybrid and I attached a rack, basket, LED light and a cute little bell, ding ding! The guys at the shop were incredibly friendly and helpful. I feel like bike shops generally exude good vibes. As I've said before and will say again: I think it is literally impossible to be on a bike and be unhappy. I can't help but smile as I tool around Burlington on my new wheels.
After picking up Georgina (that name just came to me for the bike as I was checking out "her" tires at the shop...), I strolled along Church street with my favorite person in the Universe, and after a couple of hours met up with the fam for dinner at Leunig's.
In the midst of all of this, an extremely odd, cathartic, and eventually freeing experience occurred. I will provide no more details than that, but I will say that something I've been deeply struggling with for the past 2 years has finally been released and I feel light, joyous, free, happy, and wholly Julia. What greatness.....when a gross, toxic portion of your experience dissipates. I am full of gratitude right now.
So, I promise that not every one of my posts will be Ayurveda-centric, but since it's still such a new and exciting thing to me, all I want to do is share it with people! The article below was sent to me by my prospective school, The California College of Ayurveda, in their August newsletter and I thought people may benefit from reading it....especially those with 9-5ers or those who are in law school, grad school, and what not. The article is all about this little thing we create called "stress" (heard of it?) and how it's a result of living a disharmonious life and how we can return to a beautiful harmony both within and without ourselves. Enjoy and Namaste'!
Ayurveda: The Art of Stress Management
Ayurveda, literally translated means the “knowledge of life.” It is the traditional healthcare system of India. Ayurveda is based on the idea that a life and lifestyle of harmony is the basis for optimum health. It can be said that where there is harmony there is health and where there is disharmony there is disease. Ayurveda is the science of creating harmony between a person and their environment.
It is well accepted that stress is the greatest threat to the well being of people. Stress weakens the immune system making the host (you and I) more attractive to the multitude of pathogens present in the world. As the strength of the host diminishes, the ability of the microorganism to penetrate its defenses increases. Stress plays a role in the onset of just about every disease people face from the common cold to heart disease. Not only is stress invisible, it is created by the person who is affected by it. This realization helps people understand that just as they have the ability to create the experience of stress, they also have the ability to create the experience of peace of mind. Ayurveda, and its sister science Yoga are a path to personal power helping people learn how to gain control over the mind. Once in control, a person is no longer the slave of their thought process but rather its master.
A lifestyle based in harmony is a stress –free lifestyle. Ayurveda applies its principles to both the mind and the body. Though the practices of meditation and yoga, Ayurveda helps a person expand their perception of themselves and how they relate to the world around them. While so many people are plagued with fear, anger, anxiety and / or depression, Ayurveda helps people to come to the realization that life can be and is beautiful!
Ayurvedic lifestyle begins with an understanding of one’s constitution. This is the inherent balance of the three doshas (biological energies) determined at the moment of conception. Each person’s constitution defines their uniqueness. Ayurveda understands that nothing is right for everyone and everything is right for someone. Ayurveda is non-dogmatic. Each person’s path toward health and harmony are is unique. Ayurveda is the path of finding out what is right for the individual. This path includes learning to live harmoniously through each of the five senses.
Hence, through diet, aromatherapy, color therapy, sound therapy and touch (massage) therapy along with yoga and meditation, Ayurvedic practitioners slowly guide their patients back to living in harmony with their true nature. Success on this path takes time and patience but pays great rewards. Along the way, Ayurvedic practitioners utilize their vast knowledge of herbalism to support the process and allieviate suffering. Stress reducing herbs are called nervine sedatives and include herbs such as valerian root, jatamamsi, shankha pushpi and thousands of others found throughout the world. More importantly, the Ayurvedic pharmacopia includes an understanding of rasayanas or rejuvenatives. These special herbs build up the bodies resistance to stress and increases its endurance. These herbs are especially beneficial to those who are highly sensitive to stress. These herbs include ashwaganda, bala and amalaki and many others.
According to Ayurveda, the greatest factor in a person’s sensitivity to stress is a substance found within all cellular tissues and the mind. Ayurveda calls this substance ojas. Ojas is the essence of the immune system and provides the mind with both stability and contentment. Ojas is produced by the body as the body digests nourishing foods. Hence, a nourishing diet combined with excellent digestion is the key to building ojas. Ayurveda places great emphasis on proper digestion. This includes selecting the proper foods for a person’s constitution as well as eating them properly. Long term problems with digestion and elimination deplete the body of ojas. Ojas is protected by a lifestyle that avoids overindulgence, includes significant rest and reinforces self –love.
In summary, Ayurveda helps a person come to a better understanding of themselves and their relationship to the world around them. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, Ayurveda helps people reduce stress. By reducing stress, each person can attain optimum health and peace of mind.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
...really, does wonders for the heart, soul, body, and mind
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This talk by Joshua Viertel was a part of last year's FEAST Conference
Poet and singer-songwriter Tanya Davis and filmmaker Andrea Dorfman address the forgotten art of How To Be Alone — a beautifully hand-illustrated, simply yet eloquently narrated visual poem full of all these things we so often need to tell ourselves and believe, yet so rarely do.
In Ayurveda class last week we talked about the Ayurvedic diet and nutrition and wanted to share a little bit of it with you!
The creative energy of food is Brahma, The nourishing energy of food is Vishnu, The transformation of food into pure consciousness is Shiva. If you know this, then any impurities in the food you eat will never become a part of you.
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To create healthy Agni (healthy digestive fire) and avoid Ama (toxins), Ayurveda has recommended eating behaviors for all doshas (body constitutions)...listed A-Z. I found this list very user-friendly, easy to apply to my own life and just generally helpful in the midst of a ton of very new information coming at me. Hope you enjoy it and find at least a couple that feel right for you to commit to...or at least try out!
A. Eat only when you're hungry
B. Establish a routine in terms of time and place for eating. Always sit down while eating
C. Do not eat as an excuse for social interaction. It is possible to serve guests food without compromising your own discipline
D. Always give thanks. Say some sort of grace before eating a meal or snack (even if it's just, "thanks Universe!"). This will remind your mind that there is an important function of the food you are about to eat. The function is to nourish the body and mind. We are nourished due to our relationship to Nature.
E. Feed someone else-- a pet, a plant, a friend, or make an offering-- before you feed yourself
F. Make eating a singular, conscious activity (aka: try not to read or watch TV while eating. If you are with others, engage in easy, stress-free conversation)
G. Thoroughly chew each bite before moving onto the next. The digestive process starts in the mouth
H. Make a conscious effort to eat slowly. The average time for a meal should be 30 minutes. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to register that you're full. If you eat too fast, your stomach will be full but your brain won't know it and you'll risk overeating
I. Eat an "anjali" of food at each meal, at most. An anjali is the deep cup formed when you join both hands, palms facing the sky...the amount you can fit in two hands, held together and outstretched
J. The stomach should be 50% full with solid/semisolid foods, 1/4 full with liquids that have been sipped throughout the meal, and 1/4 full with air (think of your stomach as a blender...you need that ratio in order for it to function smoothly)
K. Pay attention to what you are eating. Treat the body as a temple and remember that every molecule that you eat becomes a part of your Self. So treat yourself well
L. Do not eat when upset, depressed, or bored
M. Feed all of your senses with food that is colorful, tasty, aromatic, and pleasing in texture
N. Avoid taking a meal before the previous meal has been completely digested (3-6 hours)
O. Cook with love, or be cooked for with love
P. Include all 6 tastes in the daily intake of food-- sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent
Q. Be mindful of food combining
R. Eat as close to nature as possible. Avoid packaged foods. Avoid genetic modification. Use organic, locally-grown produce
S. Cold beverages should not be consumed during or directly after a meal as it reduces agni and digestion. Small sips of warm or tepid water taken during the meal serves to aid digestion
T. Favor flat breads (versus yeasted breads)
U. Food is best if warm ad well-cooked. Avoid over-cooked, under-cooked, or burned foods
V. Avoid stale or leftover foods
W. Eat the biggest meal of the day at noon (or lunch time)
X. Eat the last meal of the day well before bedtime (at least 2 hours)
Y. Avoid intoxicants and stimulants
Z. Vata and Pitta constitutions may finish a meal by drinking a cup of lassi. This can be made by blending four tablespoons of yogurt with pinches of ginger, fennel powder, and cumin powder in 3/4 cup of water
Friday, August 13, 2010
Warsaw at 7am
Floating in slow-motion through the gate and onto the damp cobblestones, still groggy with early morning dew.
The sweet heaviness hanging in the air is one I haven't tasted in quite some time. How apropos.
The mist hardly reacts to me, a seemingly solid form, cutting through it's cloud-like presence.
No breeze pushes, no wind urges me-- or the mist-- to go elsewhere.
I lick my wine-stained lips and reflect upon the impermanence of their crimson hue; if it weren't for that clue, I could have easily considered last night a dream.
I reach the intersection of sleepy streets (I think this is where I am supposed to catch the cab...) and rest upon the curb.
My barely there state of consciousness invites an unforeseen wave of deep, potent sentiment. I let it move through me like a quiet, determined storm; partly because I don't have the energy to flick my ego on, and partly because there's always been a side of me that revels in such emotional intensity.
No breeze pushes, no wind urges me to go elsewhere.
Going to see MGMT perform by the waterfront on Thursday!
Put your circuits in the sea This is what the world is for Making electricity You can feel it in your mind Oh you can do it all the time Plug it in and change the world You are my electric girl.
I'm sending The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, to a friend tomorrow and decided to re-read it myself. This is a book that has been a part of my life for many years and I love sharing it with fellow humans.
Yesterday I sprawled out on a hammock and delved into this Toltec book of wisdom for the 6th, 7th, 8th time? and was reminded, yet again, about the importance of the 4 agreements and just how much more positive one's life can be if these philosophies are woven into quotidian existence.
Here's a quick summary of the powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives into a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love:
1. Be impeccable with your word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don't take anything personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and reactions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don't make assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.
4. Always do your best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.
[I believe this is a J. Hisch graphic. Love her stuff.]
