One of my favorite traditions when my kids were little, was to make valentines for all the people we love. I know some people think it's a cheesy Hallmark holiday, but if you know me, you know I wear rose colored glasses yearound and I'll take any excuse to celebrate love!
Love is a juicy, nourishing emotion. It boosts our vitality and immunity, both physically and mentally. In Ayurveda, we call this ojas building. Ojas is a subtle energy that protects the body and mind. It is the essence and most refined byproduct of digested food, impressions, and thoughts. It provides stability and resilience. Ojas gives us an overall sense of containment, contentment, and cohesion.
In a world filled with so much fear and instability, not to mention everyday stress and overstimulation, it's easy to feel depleted or burnt out. Like trying to run a car without oil, we will also break down if our ojas is weak.
The more we pay attention to what is already good in our lives, the more the heart is open and receptive. Feels like something good is happening. We flip the switch in the nervous system, from sympathetic to parasympathetic. The mind releases into the expansive heart and we are more present.
Fall deeper into love with your life right now as it is. This fortifies us on a daily basis to better withstand the ups and downs of life. When we have strong ojas it not only benefits our overall well being, we are more able to support those around us from a place of abundance.
More Ways to Boost Ojas
Simple acts of self care = self love
Stabilize routines - eat and sleep at same times daily
Eat nourishing foods such as whole grains, nuts, healthy fats, and dates
Take time to eat your meals seated, and without distraction
Massage your skin with warm oil
Sit in silence for a few minutes daily. Just sit, breathe and be
Proper sleep and NSDR (non sleep deep relaxation) such as a guided meditation or yoga nidra
Spend time in nature
Slow, focused yoga practice
LOVE more! Practice where it's easy - your plants, pets, family
Trust that every experience we encounter is an opportunity for love to express itself through us in whatever form is most appropriate - patience, compassion, empathy, kindness, forgiveness. According to ancient Vedic philosophy, as our consciousness awakens, soma, the highest form of ojas, located in the crown chakra, melts and is carried to the heart so that we may experience the true bliss of our Being.