Stoke your Fire
Ayurveda is known as the Science of Life. In Ayurveda it is believed that we all have an inner fire, or agni, and the strength of our agni determines how healthy we are. Think for a moment of your digestive system, and correlate your digestion to a burning fire. If the fire is strong, you can digest nearly anything and it will be additional fuel for your fire. If your fire is weak, you may try to add some fuel only to smolder and diminish your flame entirely. Now think about not only the foods you eat that you digest, but also the thoughts, emotions, and perceptions you "digest" daily...
Given the crucial role of agni to health and well-being, how do we keep our inner fire burning brightly?
The most essential step is living life more consciously. Choosing to make choices that nurture the flow of life energy, while minimizing those that deplete it. Before we can make any changes though, we really need to tune in and feel our way through what is best for us, what feels like nourishment, and what feels like smoldering.
Here are 5 Ways you can stoke your agni:
+ Unconditional Encouragement. A simple way to make more healing choices is to ask yourself whether you would encourage someone you love unconditionally to have whatever experience you are considering. Follow the example of a conscious, loving mother who only wants her child to eat nourishing food, engage in loving relationships, and avoid situations that create unnecessary distress.
+ Unclutter Your Life. Your inner fire is weakened by having too much wood or “stuff” in your life ― too much stuff, too many commitments, too many demanding relationships, and too much clutter. Consciously survey your life and ask yourself, What am I carrying with me from the past that is no longer serving me in the present, and what would I like to bring into my life that I have previously neglected?
+ Rest, Exercise, and Meditate. Balance your activity with rest by having a regular meditation practice and getting replenishing sleep each night.
+ Practice conscious eating. Practice conscious eating. Your digestion is affected by the conversations at the table, your environment, and your mood when you eat. If you’re having an argument or watching a violent TV show, your stomach will knot and your digestion will be disturbed. To extract the most nourishment from your food, never eat when you feel upset. Create a settled, peaceful atmosphere for your meals, eat only when you’re hungry, and choose fresh, organic food whenever possible.
+ Get regular detoxification treatments. No matter how consciously we live, modern life exposes us to a variety of toxins that deplete our digestive power – from pollutants in our food, water, and air, to the more subtle toxicity of negative media and the hyper-stimulus of cell phones, iphones, and the Internet. To keep agni’s metabolic power strong, it’s important to get regular detoxification treatments. Consider a monthly cleanse that releases toxins from deep within the bodily tissues, clearing away physical and emotional residue and leaving you feeling renewed and rejuvenated. Nowadays even a weekend "cleanse" from social media is a great way to unplug from drama and pay more attention to your own personal desires and emotions.
The Fall Equinox is coming and the perfect time to tune in and focus on stoking your fire!
