Mindfulness Our true home is not in the past. Our true home is not in the future. Our true home is in the here and now. Mindfulness is a tool to calm our mind. It helps us to recognize and connect with the harmony and happiness that are already present in our lives. Often our mind is caught in fears, worries, anger, sorrow, regrets, to do lists… etc. Actually, we are constantly jumping to the future worries or past regrets. How does it work? While we are aware of our breathing, we connect body and mind in the present moment, without being judgmental. When our “inner talks” stop, we experience the energy of peace. The next step is that we start enjoying the moment of here and now, and the harmony from with-in. When we practice mindfulness, we experience our breathing more naturally. Benefits of mindfulness: It boosts our immune system, our concentration, reduces stress, we deal better with emotions, our senses are functioning better, we are able to recognize disturbing thoughts etc. Mindfulness is also a bridge to meditation. Some simple mindfulness exercises are: 1. Mindful breathing: Focus on your breath for one minute. Breathe in slowly and effortlessly through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. While doing this purposefully, observe and feel your breath leaving all thoughts behind. 2. Mindful observation: Choose an object from your environment (a flower, an apple, an insect, clouds, a tree etc.) and focus on watching it for a minute or two. Explore the object purposefully and involve all your senses. Concentrate on this as long as you can. This exercise connects us with the beauty of the things we often oversee in our rushing, daily lives. 3. Mindful awareness: This is mindfulness on a deeper level. This exercise cultivates a higher awareness and appreciation of things we take for granted in our daily functioning. It also helps us to recognize negative thoughts, and deal with them in a better way. For example: Think of something that happens every morning when you start the day, like starting your computer in the morning. Stop for a moment and be mindful of what is happening. Your arm moves towards the turn on/off button and your finger executes the turning on action. Now be aware of how your brain is facilitating your arm, hand and finger to execute this action. Think about how your mind opens to absorb the information that will come to you in just some seconds, how your brain is analyzing all these signals, how the information will affect your emotions…etc. As mentioned before, if we practice mindful awareness on a regular base, we can recognize our negative thoughts and redirect them towards positive thoughts. Mindfulness helps you to touch the wonders of life in yourself and around you.

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OCD stands for Obsessive compulsory disorder…. OCD is a mental disorder in which a person feels the urge to check or to perform something repeatedly. Repetitive thoughts are crossing the mind as well. Some typical examples: Checking the stove, checking door locks and also washing hands often, touching something often, counting, and having thoughts that bad things will happen when we do not obey a certain thought. Often the person develops a tic too … This battle is ongoing in the mind, simultaneously the person has to function normal in daily life. Of course with this behavior life is effected negatively. The person feels often exhausted. They feel insecure and avoid social life. What can we do: get diagnosed. In extreme situations people will get some medicine too. Often this drug is just for calming down, and not taking away the decease. Some useful suggestion to master OCD: Getting counseling therapy. Labeling the focused object as after checking it. For example: after checking the stove the first time just write a small note: “Done” or “checked”. When the urge to check it arises again, you will see the note with one blink of the eye. The same goes for the door lock. Handling the situation like this will help to control the mind. Another tool can be: create a picture in your mind that you have done it already, then when the urge comes, just visualize this picture and go on with other things. Other advices : surround yourself with a support team. People who know and understand your OCD challenges. Stay positive. Keep a journal about what the complains are and what the emotional state is at those moments. Your journal will bring more clearness and more self-awareness. Keep a quality daily routine. Stay positive and integrate relaxation techniques in your daily life. Yoga, Taj-chi, Pranayama etc. Being in the nature often helps a lot to pacify the mind too. Chakra healing, especially the Sollar Plexus chakra which balances the will power, manifesting the positive changes. Kids with OCD: We can help kids with OCD symptoms by helping them, boosting up their self-esteem. We HAVE TO praise any good improvement.. Let them know that they are great kids and that it is not their fault that they act like this. A therapist can guide him gradually through a exposure therapy, and he/she will gain faith that he/she can fight the undesirable rituals.

Coming period I will write about different subjects from my practice and daily work. The idea is to share some useful information which can help you or people around you. I intent to write about: Mindfulness, Obsessive Compulsory Disorder, Social anxiety, Talking to our cells (healing), Are you a victim or a creator of life, Hunger of a uterus to carry a baby, Ayurvedic home remedies, The benefits of sun salutation and other yoga asanas, Listen to your inner voice, Positive thinking, How to manage our relation with our partner, Divorced…what follows after that, how to manage a disturbed relation with your child, etc.

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Recently I finished writing about all the main chakras. Please be aware of keeping our chakras, our energy wheels in motion. The turmoil of life causes sometimes blocks in our chakras. We can balance our chakras by practicing pranayama (relaxing breathing exercises), meditation, mindfulness and grounding exercises. As we know it is important to activate both parts, the upper chakras (the spiritual and mindful part) and the lower chakras (the earthly chakras). Both parts come together in our heart chakra. The heart chakra is the unique chakra where the world of spirit meets the world of matter. As the African wisdom states “Pray but move your feet”.

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Dear travelers on “the path of personal growth”, at last I am writing about the final two chakras at the top of our energy channel, 6th chakra the Third eye chakra, and 7th chakra the Crown chakra. These two chakras are very connected with our spiritual growth. Our connection to our true selves and the universe. Our Third eye chakra or Ajna, supports us shaping our life more consciously. The responding color here is Indigo or Royal blue. The third eye chakra helps us to transform the lower chakra energy to higher spiritual vibrations. While activating our third eye chakra, we will experience where we came from, where we are stuck and where we are going. We will learn to listen to our intuition. On physical level this chakra is connected with our brain, pituitary gland, pineal gland, eyes, nose etc. When our sixth chakra is blocked we tend to feel depressed, sad, lonely… Food which are enhancing the energy here are: dark chocolate, curcumin and purple berries. Also beneficial for this chakra are balancing yoga poses: downwards facing dog, thunderbolt and trataka (candle gazing). Breathing exercise: Alternate nostril pranayama. Gifts of this chakra: be in peace with yourself and with the flow of your life: all is well. You are part of the Divine energy. Crown chakra or Sahasrara is our 7th chakra. The colors for this chakra are white or violet. This chakra connects us with the universe and the Devine source. We experience serenity, joy and deep peace about life, energy and consciousness. Our ego is being transcended here. We sense a liberation of our spirit. The intersection of time and timelessness, death and eternal life happens in this chakra. There is a strong connection between being open to the Divine source and being strongly rooted, because of the firm inner connection with the root chakra. A blocked crown chakra limits us in our spiritual growth, which can lead to a more passive life. When the crown chakra is in balance, we experience the gift of unity and mystical oneness with everyone and everything in the nature.

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Speak your inner TRUTH with the throat chakra. Our fifth chakra (Vishudha in Sanskrit, color blue and element is space) helps us to determine our inner truth, our “voice”. It is a delicate matter to choose between speaking up the truth and staying tactful and diplomatic. We often end up in a YES while our body language cries for NO. We fear of not being accepted, or being judged…and we keep on going accommodating in life. This chakra governs: throat, trachea, cervical vertebrae, neck, shoulder, arms, hands, esophagus, mouth, teeth, gums etc. We can balance this chakra by starting to activate the lower chakras: first and second chakra will help you overcome your fear. The third chakra activates your will power. And the heart chakra will help you to feel what you really feel about a certain subject/case. You can visualize the throat chakra as a “chimney stalk”. What is “cooking, burning, digesting, piling up, inflamed...etc. has to come out through the “chimney stalk”. So our true desires, creativity, needs, opinion need to be communicated truthful and peaceful towards yourself and others. If this chakra functions in a smooth way we do not fear confrontations. Our communication will be more constructive and our self-expression will be enhanced. We will listen more conscious to our self and others as well.

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Do we smile at everyone we see daily, even if we do not feel like smiling…it is contagious… Do we forgive and move on… Do we give family, friends, colleague’s positive affirmations and feedback? Yes, we are talking here about a balanced heart chakra. Our heart chakra, Anahatha (in Sanskrit) associates with green color and with the element air. This chakra is also called the center of all chakras, because it connects the lower physical chakras with the upper spiritual chakras. A balanced heart chakra allows a natural flow of love and compassion. We forgive and accept others and our self. Here we experience the feeling of completeness, wholeness, emphatic, optimistic, motivated, nurturing etc. In case of a closed heart chakra we carry grudges, anger, hatred, jealousy, fear and betrayal. Old pains of past hurt by parents, siblings, classmates or lovers are situated in the heart chakra. We tend to experience difficulty with love, lack of hope, despair etc. The heart chakra governs: heart, lungs, thymus gland, breasts circulatory system, esophagus, shoulders arms etc. Chest opening Yoga poses like camel, cobra and fish help balancing this chakra. Breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing, deep breathing pacifies this chakra too.

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"alis volat propriis"

Depression affects numerous people every year, often with debilitating consequences. It influences your entire life, your job, your relationships and even your physical health. Almost everybody would have felt slightly depressed at some point of time. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person. When the symptoms are overwhelming and disabling one approaches the physician for help. According to Ayurveda, Ama (toxins) accumulates in the tissues, disrupts the body’s delicate biochemistry causing mental frustrations often leading to depression. Other factors like drug addiction, loss of loved one, etc. can also cause depression. Depression is an illness that infiltrates your whole body. Depression can cause physical ailments and vice versa. So timely treatment for depression is necessary. There are numerous Ayurveda treatments (Shiro Abhyanga, Shirodhara, etc.) and Ayurveda herbs, which helps in treating depression effectively and removes metal sluggishness as well as enhances cognitive functions and memory leading to a healthier mental state. In this newsletter, we shall see more about Depression known as “Vishada” in Ayurveda. We welcome your suggestions and submissions. Enjoy reading and get benefited by Ayurveda. Vaidya Lakshmi Anoop Winning Over Depression Through Ayurveda Depression is not just being deeply sad or blue, but it is a group of signs where the person feels sinking, sad, hopeless and alone constantly for a couple of weeks or more, where he or she fails to address the positivity, irrespective of positive or negative life situations; feeling of emptiness, incapable to enjoy the things which the person would normally would like to do, example-work, hobby or company of friends which in turn affects productivity, sleep, appetite or even be the cause for serious physical ailments, mental disorders and abnormal behavioral patterns over a long period of time more than a couple of weeks. The social stigma and the cultural taboos regarding the mental disorders makes it worse for the person under depression to communicate to the people around or to get needed medical assistance. Even the great personality like Arjuna was not spared from Vishada/depression is described in the 1st chapter of Mahabharata as Arjuna Vishada Yoga. Depression affects 350 million global populations of which the women outnumber men and 1 million deaths per year are due to the same. It is said to be a “common cold of mental health” which can affect any person in any age group irrespective of socioeconomic status & race. Ayurveda explains depression or Vishada as an associated symptom of many physical ailments as well as a separate psychiatric ailment. In Ayurveda the commentators like Chakrapanidatta, Dalhana has elaborated the term “Vishada” (fear and weakness) as that which weakens the body and mind and is the aggravating factor for most of the diseases. Ayurveda considers the mind and body as the two faces of the same coin where a physical ailment can generate a mental illness. Eg.Diseases like epilepsy, leprosy, psoriasis etc can cause depression to the person owing to the social stigma towards such diseases. And similarly a mental condition can in turn pave way to a physical aliment the best example most of us have experienced is diarrhea before the exams or headaches due to stress and excess thinking. So Ayurveda is concerned not only about the body but also the mind and the soul. Even WHO have included the mental and spiritual health in the health definition apart from socio-economic and physical health. Causes of depression • The neurochemical imbalances like secretion and synthesis of nor epinephrine and serotonin which in turn affects circadian rhythm • Hereditary factors • Seasonal changes especially winter season or cold countries with less sun light • Physiological factors – pregnancy, post partum and menopause • Drug induced • Excess exposure to electromagnetic waves (Television, computer, mobile phones) • Loss of a loved one, Mate cheating, etc Symptoms The symptoms of depression arise with when each doshas are associated with Tamas / the mass inertia of mind. • Vatadosha associated with tamasic nature will have excessive worries, feeling of hopelessness, pessimism, feeling of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness, anxieties, fears, phobias, terrors, delusions, compulsions, irrelevant talk, monologue or dialogue with self, attention deficit, bi-polar disease, auditory hallucinations, irritability, restlessness, difficulty to concentrate and remember details, difficulty in decision making, insomnia, early morning wakefulness, loss of appetite, aches and pains. • Pitta dosha associated with tamas will give riseto thoughts of suicide & even suicide attempts, murder and visual hallucinations, headaches and digestive problems that do not ease even with treatments. It also causes comparison, dominance, criticism, jealousy, frustration, obsession, territorialism, anger, rage, and violence. • Kaphadosha associated with tamas will produce sadness&feeling of emptiness, melancholia, prolonged crying, stubbornness, dark depression, hiding, hoarding, catatonia, overeating and kinesthetic hallucinations, fatigue and decreased energy, loss of interest in activities or hobbies that was once pleasurable, including sex, excessive sleep, drowsiness even after proper sleep, over eating and indigestion. Treatment Ayurveda has the safest treatment for depression which is neither habit forming nor with side effects. There are 3 approaches for the treatment in Ayurveda - • Daivavyapasraya- Daiva means divine or the deeds of past life, Vyapasraya means seat or support. It includes mantras & prayers, use of gems, rituals, oblations, offerings, sacrifices like fasting, prostration, pilgrimages etc. These methods create confidence and remove the fears and pessimistic tendencies in person. • Yuktivyapasraya – Yukti means logical thinking or rational knowledge. These include the internal medicines as well as external therapies. Certain classical herbs like Jyotishmati, Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Shankhapushpi tablets like Saraswatvati, Mansyadighanvati, preparations like Brahma Rasayana are good for the depression. Shirodhara, Marma Abhyangam, Ksheeradhara, Takradhara and even Shodhana Chikitsa or the Panchakarma detoxification therapies are good for depression. • Sattvaavajaya – This involves counseling part, which is inevitable as rational treatment. The person under depression doesn’t need sympathy nor does he or she want other person to interfere in their life decision but need to be treated empathically with proper counseling and apt medication. The branch of Ayurveda that deals with the mental disorders including depression is called Bhutavidya or Ayurvedic psychiatry. The Bhuta initially was interpreted as the entities of superstitious origin. But by 20th century in an attempt to avoid more epistemological and discursive aspect of Bhuta or vernacular idioms of distress, was reinterpreted as more secular and scientific idiom as bacteria, virus and microbes or even vectors which cause genetic changes which confirmed the mind body correlation of Ayurveda and also the hereditary aspect of diseases affecting the mind. Thus the treatment for depression is explained elaborately in ancient Ayurveda texts under Ayurvedic psychiatry (Bhutavidya). The treatment for depression in the conventional medication and psychiatry has several problems including strong side effects that affect other areas of life. Moreover, the occurrence of depression cannot be prevented by these means; it just gives temporary relief as and when it occurs. On the other hand, Ayurveda provides a natural and effective way of treatment of depression, improves mental clarity and cognitive functions, also preventing re occurrences to a large extent. This article is written by VaidyaParvathy Rajeev, Consultant Physician & Head of Research Division at Chakrapani Ayurveda

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Solar Plexus chakra or Manipura in Sanskrit. (Determines who are we) The color which is associated to it is yellow and the element is fire. This is our center of our will power, our confidence, responsibility, reliability, self-esteem, self-discipline and personality. Based on all this we make conscious choices. When we have a good connection with this chakra, we easily transform inertia into action and movement. And this moves us forward in life. When this chakra is too open we can experience emotional outbursts and feel stressed more easily. When this chakra is closed we just allow life to pass by and we become passive. Our self-esteem is low and we have problems making decisions. When balanced, we feel the ability to move forward in life with confidence and power. We make conscious and powerful choices. This chakra controls also our metabolism and digestive system. Also the large intestines, stomach, pancreas, liver and lungs are related to this chakra. Recommended food for balancing the solar plexus chakra: bananas, sunflower seeds, grapefruit, ginger, mint, cumin. Drinking lukewarm or hot water is recommended. Also, core strengthening yoga exercises and Reiki-energy healing helps to balance this chakra.

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The Sacral chakra, in Sanskrit Swadisthana. The element is water and the color connected to this chakra is orange. This chakra is connected with creativity, sexuality, relationships, empathy, nurturing, emotions etc. Here we feel our true desires. The sacral chakra is located in the navel area. It covers the reproduction system, large intestines, circulation of blood, hips pelvis, sacrum, kidneys and lower back. This chakra reflects with the daily aspects of life, people whom we are related to and the quality of these relationships. Discomfort or pain feeling in this area can be possibly connected with emotional issues that need clearing up. If the sacral chakra is dis-functioning we may experience: PMS, premenopausal symptoms, infertility struggles, lower back pain, sciatica, fatigue, no joyful energy, guilt issues, inability to orgasm or decreased libido. A person with an inactive sacral chakra can act completely disconnected and cold towards others. When the sacral chakra is overactive, a person van become needy and emotionally dependent. We can balance our sacral chakra with energy chakra healing treatments. We can also use the self-help tools like: dancing, meditation while visualizing the orange color, eating orange colored food, practicing hip opening yoga exercises etc. We have to focus on releasing our overloaded baggage filled with unhealthy emotions, people who are not supportive, heavy memories etc. Our passion for life is seated in this area. We want to live life to its fullest and we experience everyday as a gift of God. Only then will we create new space and new energy to harbor positive emotions, good people around us, clean relations, good intimacy life etc.

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