Putting it all together

I love my morning routine. I practice RPM ( rise, pee, meditate )with a few other tasks thrown in before the M. It is what I do. It has become a part of me. My morning is calm and beautiful. I feel grounded and ready to start the day.

Today is the first day I did not do a guided meditation. I played some lovely chanting music and just followed my breath. I was surprised at how deep I was able to go without much mind clutter. I had some thoughts about time and how to measure it when meditating, but just went with the flow of the chanting.

I am learning that prayers and poetry can be very meditative to me. It is so much easier to get into that quiet space now that this has become a part of my life. I am able to pay attention to the messages of spirit. I feel a shift. I am grateful.

My Joys in life are many. My peacefulness and gratitude have grown in this journey. To know that I can choose grievance or miracle in any moment is such a Blessing.

My morning oil massage with coconut oil has been a Blessing.  I love to watch the oil become liquified as I rub it between my palms readying it for application. As it touches my skin it feels so nuturing and comforting. Much of the dryness that I had been experiencing is gone. And, no, I do not smell like a tropical coconut all day long. At first I did this very quickly. Now I spend more time in the application being more conscious and connected with the benefits. Its almost like an extension of my daily meditation.
How do you take care of yourself?

I wish you Self Care and many Joys!
Namaste
Jan

Settling Down

Things seem to be settling down digestively speaking. I have to be prepared for off times because that is the nature of my system. I thought that if I changed my lifestyle, everything would change immediately. So there it is; another lesson in patience. I am becoming more comfortable with the idea that I can put out my intentions and take action. The result is not up to me. I just need to watch with patience as it all unfolds. When I practice this, the results are usually quite favorable. When I interfere or try to control, who knows what mess occurs!

Day 16 of the meditation challenge! I am very pleased that I have stuck with this journey. The benefits are tremendous. I am more patient and loving with myself and others. I have been able to detach from some stressful situations with a knowing that they will work out fine. Today's topic was about archetypes and identifying those that resonated with us on the physical, creative, practical and spiritual realms. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that I admire close up, as well as those from afar that I have been exposed to. Who do you admire? What lessons do you learn from them?
Namaste
Jan

What is going on????

My eating of only foods good for me (doshas and allergies) has been going well. I am incorporating the tastes and the agni building tea. I am eating my meals at scheduled times. I am having a lighter dinner most nights. What I am noticing is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness at night and a re-appearance of digestive symptoms that had gone away. I am perplexed.

Today I shall judge nothing that occurs...

On this 11th day of the 21 day meditation challenge, I have been challenged to judge nothing. I am to just observe...have no opinion...just let all be and float. WOW....when the judgement thoughts float in, I say...thank you, but please, I can not answer you today...This was an interesting experience while watching Meet The Press...  I will not judge my success or failure...I will spend the rest of the day practicing not judging myself or others...just being ...soaking it all in...and meditating again this evening to seal the experience.
Namaste.
Jan

Just Go Easy!

Some days it is so hard to stay in the Ayurveda zone. I don't get to bed on time, or I don't get to eat the lunch I have prepared, or my dinner occurs too late, or I didn't include all of the "tastes". I really feel the effects of being out of the zone. I am struggling with how to make these habits daily. My gratitude is focusing on the things I have accomplished each day, and that is helping with my perfectionism. So, I am meditating every day. I am using the neti or nasalium every day. I am oil massaging every day. I am so much more conscious of foods and eating patterns every day. ALL of that is a GREAT accomplishment.  I am learning to go easier on myself. So...just for today...be your own best friend. Celebrate your accomplishments...and just go easy!
Namaste
Jan

Kichari

Kichari loves me and I am learning to love it. Even though it feels like winter comfort food, I am enjoying it this summer. Since adding it to my diet, my digestion has calmed way down...I guess I am building Agni and clearing Ama... who knew??? It needs another spice to make it more flavorful for me...can't decide what that should be...seems like more salt, but I don't like to salt my food (even with good celtic salt). Here's my recipe....what do you add? what would you suggest? What do you serve with Kichari?

3/4 C Basmati rice  rinsed several times
1/2 C split moong bean rinsed several times
1/2 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seed
1/4 tsp hing
1/2 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp chp fresh ginger
4 cups water
1 zucchini sliced thin
1 yellow squash, sliced thin
1 tsp ghee

Over medium heat, place ghee in pan. Add cumin. Stir til seeds pop. Add ginger and saute. Add rice, beans, tumeric, salt, and water. Bring to boil using high heat. When it reaches a boil, lower heat to low and cover pan. Let cook for 30 minutes.  While this is cooking saute zuchinni and squash in 1 tsp ghee. Turn off heat of rice and bean mixture and let sit for about 5 minutes.  Then add sauteed zucchini and yellow squash.
It freezes well too.

Have a creative time discovering the joys of kichari!

Namaste,
Janis