Resiliency And Ayurveda
What is resilience? How do we get it? How can we cultivate and maintain resiliency in our daily life? How can we adjust, within constant changes in life? Can we re-create our self, body-mind-spirit, allowing passion and joy into life and work? Do we want to just survive, or to live well?
“Resiliency is generally considered to be a positive trait involving the capacity to cope with stress and adversity.”
-McCraty & Childres
When we believe in our self, we can “bounce back” in changing times. This comes with practice, bringing a deeper understanding of insight around lifestyle behaviors, awareness and choice. To develop the capacity to be resilient is to take time for self-reflection, identify what is important and live in a way that reflects that. Build your resilience slowly but surely.
We are truly present when we develop sensitivity, non-judgment and respect for others and ourselves. Practicing self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, balance and mindful-awareness are the qualities of resiliency. It is a positive attitude in the face of suffering.
By observing, with intelligence, our own action becomes self-awareness. Daily insight, self-inquiry, being fully present with self and others, builds resiliency.
Reactivity vs. Resilience
Do you react instead of observe your thoughts and feelings? Do you react in the fear of change? Can you pause, thoughtfully, before you speak? Can you bring yourself to center, before you react?
By using the tools of contemplative practices, we learn to receive compassion, to stay connected with others and develop self-inquiry through an Ayurvedic lens…bringing awareness and choice to our decisions. We find meaning in change, and in connection by creating a new understanding of life in sync with nature’s rhythm.
What is important? What are your priorities? Why are you here? What are the gifts you can share? What are your connections? How do you seek guidance?
Do you feel gratitude, optimism, joy, love, meaning and an inner hold on life?
“To live is to suffer, to survive is to feel meaning in the suffering, the ability to see something good in adversity is the central trait needed by all of us.”
-Victor Frankl
Ayurveda, as a holistic healthcare system, follows the rhythm of nature, change of seasons, time, ageing and emphasizes mind-body-spirit wellness.
Change, birth and death, illness, loss and suffering are inevitable and constant. By cultivating a deeper understanding through the view of Ayurveda, we can be in relationship with the world around us and adjust within the ever-changing times in life. We learn to respond in a healthier way to how to live our lives, everyday.
Ayurveda promotes self-care, self-love, wellness, true self-knowledge and maintaining balance by connecting with nature and its rhythms. Ayurveda re-balances our imbalances, builds resilience and brings us back to center.
In the practice of dinacharya, new daily routines integrated slowly create positive change in our choices and intentions. By observing the qualities of our food, environment, thoughts, emotions and senses, we build strength, awareness and resilience. By being aware of our senses…sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch…we learn what is best for our constitution.
Through our senses, we digest all that we take within, deciding what serves our wellbeing and what does not.
With knowledge of the 5 elements…space, air, fire, water and earth…that are found in all matter, including ourselves, our own unique constitution is understood. We notice that what is within, is also without…the connection of our microcosm and the external macrocosm.
This understanding brings the importance of our relationships…of self, others, the earth, plants, animals, countries, the world…it goes on and on. How we care for ourselves, determines the nature of all our relationships…healthy or not healthy.
Practices…....
A daily routine is essential for maintaining balance by being inline with the cycles of day and night, seasons, age, environment and food. When disconnected from these natural rhythms, we can experience imbalance, illness, disease, isolation and suffering. The smallest of things are important for prevention and maintenance of our health and wellbeing.
Ayurveda Practices:
Seasonal lifestyle and diet
Walking in nature
Regular meals and bedtimes
Mindful eating, thoughts and acting
Exercise
Observing the qualities of the mind
Healthy digestion
Meditation – the witness, clarity, passive awareness, decreased reactions, healthier responses
Yoga – opening channels, decreased tension, flow
Pranayama – the vital breath, life force, vitality
Herbs, spices and fresh organic foods
Change can be seen as harmful, fearful, or change can be seen as adaptive, new beginnings, meaning, intelligence, health and wellbeing.
Ayurveda grounds, nourishes and rejuvenates to create balance in change. It is a holistic individualized healthcare system. It teaches listening to one’s true self and self-knowledge. Gradually, by developing our awareness, the light of our inner knowing and intelligence is seen. Listen….
Tags: Ayurveda