Ayurveda explains that our state of mind is instrumental in the condition of our health and well-being.  Ayurveda also gives us advice on how to cultivate a healthy state of mind so that we can live a balanced and healthy life.  For example:
-Take in positive impressions.  This can be a challenge in our western culture as we are often inundated by negativity.  Seek out uplifting and inspiring works that make you feel good about life in general.
-Release negative emotions.  Holding on to negativity can be toxic.  Find healthy outlets for emotions so that they don’t eat away at you.
-Feel good about yourself and who you are.  Develop positive self-worth and self-esteem.
-Keep in mind that the ultimate goal in life is awareness, or moksha.
-Surround yourself with beauty and harmony in your home.
-Take time for rest and time to just be happy.
-Get some sunshine and fresh air daily.  Use full spectrum light bulbs in the darker winter months.
-Spend time in nature.  Take walks, garden, smell the flowers.
-Visit natural bodies of water, a river, the ocean, a creek or a waterfall.
-Spend time in silence, meditate, chant, or pray.

“Kama” in Sanskrit means pleasure, or desire, and “Sutra” literally means “stitch” and also lesson.  The Kama Sutra is a textbook of physical pleasure written by an Indian sage named Vatsyayana sometime between the first and fifth century.  It was first translated into English by Sir Richard Burton in 1883.  Since then there are have been many different interpretations.  The Kama Sutra is probably most well known for it’s illustrations of a variety of “positions,” but this is actually just one chapter of a very large text.  Much of the book talks about the goals of life, Kama being the most elementary.  Ultimately the goal is Moksha, or liberation, mastery over our senses, which is spiritual freedom.  The idea is to pursue all of our goals in harmony with each other so that we grow spiritually as much as possible.  There is a lot of wisdom that we can garner from this.  The newest version of the Kama Sutra is written by Deepak Chopra, and with it he includes the “Seven Spiritual Laws of Love.”  Society has changed quite dramatically since the Kama Sutra was first written, but much of its ancient wisdom applies to us just as much today.  Deepak reveals to us these ideas in a contemporary way so that we can apply them to our lives and learn from them.

Today I’d like to introduce you to Dhanvantari.  He is known as the father of Ayurveda, or the Hindu God of Medicine.  It is said that simply remembering Dhanvantari, holding his image in mind, brings the removal of all physical suffering.  What a guy!  His right hand is raised in the mudra indicating fearlessness.  He holds a pot of ambrosia, which represents physical health, well being, and long life.  When you are studying Ayurveda, it is traditional to keep Dhanvantari somewhere nearby, as he will help with your mastery of the medical sciences and bless you with spiritual knowledge and liberation.

http://images.google.com/images?q=Dhanvantari&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

Vastu is the Indian science of architecture and placement.  It is a sister science to Ayurveda, and the seed from which Feng Shui came about.  Vastu teaches us how to live in harmony with our environment, so that the elements work for us naturally.  We can also use Vastu to bring in some of the energies we want to create in our lives.  For example: prosperity!  The most efficient way to enhance the flow of abundance is to get rid of the clutter in your home or office.  Clutter is stagnant, and it is an obstacle to success.  Clutter weighs down our thinking, and stifles creativity.  It makes it more difficult for us to move around freely.  When we remove clutter, we make space for prosperity to come in.  Say goodbye to old magazines, newspapers and piles of paper.  Organize your important files so that you can find them on a moments notice.  Store away things that you don’t need all the time so that they’re not in your way.  Give any unused or outdated items to charity.  It is said that one person’s “junk”is another person’s treasure!  Clearing away clutter is energizing.  It says to the universe that you trust that it will provide for you, and it will!

Feng Shui e-book on DoshaDesign

Mala beads are an important accessory for those of us into the Vedic way of life.  They can come in strands of 108, or in bracelet versions of 27 beads.  When repeating the mantra using a wrist mala we just go 4 rounds instead of 1.  I found some really beautiful wrist malas from India and got a few for the coffeyshop.  One is a moonstone and rudraksha combination.  Moonstone is known to bring good luck and grant wishes.  It is very balancing for Pitta.  Rudrakshas promote inner peace and enlightenment.  Another mala is made from garnet and sterline silver.  Garnet gives vitality and strength.  It represents fire, faith, courage and compassion.  We also have a mala made from peridot and quartz crystal.  Peridot is an exceptionally cleansing and healing stone, especially for the heart chakra.  It brings abundance and prosperity.  Quartz crystal is very healing.  The Navaratna bracelet is really special.  Navaratna refers to the nine gemstones related to the nine planets used in Vedic astrology.  Nava means “nine” and ratna means “gem” in Sanskrit.  This mala brings protection because it delivers the benefits of all the nine planetary gemstones simultaneously.  It brings good health, prosperity, happiness and peace of mind.

William Levacy is one of the most well known, and well loved, Vedic Astrologers in the United States.  I reference his book “Beneath a Vedic Sky” in my dosha book.  William has done my Jyotish chart, and I can tell you from personal experience that he is absolutely brilliant!  I have been waiting for his new book for a long time, and I am happy to announce that it is finally available.  “Beneath a Vedic Sun: Discover Your Life Purpose with Vedic Astrology” gives us tools with which we can find our dharma.  William draws from the fields of Vedic philosophy, modern career assessment, Vedic astrology, Ayurveda and Vastu.  With these guidelines we can discover the type of work we are best suited for.  Included with the book is a free CD of the popular ÓParashara’s Light SE Vedic astrology software.  There’s so much to learn here, it’s wonderful!

Beneath a Vedic Sun by William Levacy on amazon

According to Ayurveda, a balanced diet contains all six tastes at every meal: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent.  This can be challenging given our western influences.  And since we want to make sure that we are getting the right proportion of flavors for our own dominant dosha, we tend not to want to overdo it.  There’s a simple solution!  An herb and spice blend especially formulated for Vata, Pitta or Kapha balancing.  You can use this blend while cooking, or take the shaker with you to sprinkle on your food when you eat out.  You can add it to sauces, soups, vegetable or rice dishes, even just sprinkle it on salads, popcorn or snacks.  Very convenient, and really delicious.  The Vata blend is calming, and includes cardamom, ginger, and other spices.  The Pitta blend is cooling, and includes cumin, coriander and fennel along with other spices.  The Kapha blend is invigorating, with turmeric, mustard, cayenne and more.

Surya Spice Blends from chopra.com

When I found Ayurveda, I knew that my life would never be the same again.  I started seeing things differently, more profoundly.  And then Deepak Chopra introduced me to Vedanta, the ancient wisdom from which Ayurveda originated.  This beautiful philosophy has taught me a lot about life, and given me a lot to think about.  According to Vedanta, when we understand our true nature, we begin to live from the source of lasting happiness, true inner joy.  We can allow the universe to flow through us with ease, and our lives are infused with power, freedom, and grace.  In his new book, “Power, Freedom, and Grace,” Deepak Chopra draws upon both Vedanta, and modern science to help us understand and experience our true nature and get to this place of blissfulness.  If you want to take your study of The Science of Life to a deeper level, you’ll love this book.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1878424815/brightideaspr-20/002-5089931-9812849?creative=0&camp=0&adid=0J7X7YCBFTVEPR6VAE5J&link_code=as1

The six tastes in Ayurveda come from the five elements.  They are: Earth + Water = Sweet Earth + Fire = Sour Water + Fire = Salty Air + Space = Bitter Air + Fire = Pungent Air + Earth = Astringent

Because Vata is composed of Air and Space, Vatas stay in balance better when they favor foods that are sweet, sour and salty.

Pitta is composed of Fire and Water, so Pittas stay in balance when they favor foods that are sweet, bitter and astringent.

Kapha is made up of Water and Earth.  Kaphas are better balanced when they favor foods that have bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.

Our doshas have an influence on how we handle money.  If we are aware of these tendencies, we can work to become more diligent and responsible with our spending habits.

Vatas tend to spend too much money.  Vatas love to shop, and are often impulsive with their spending.  They are likely to have things in their closets that they have never worn.  One strategy for Vatas would be to have money automatically deposited from their paychecks into a savings account.

Pittas don’t like to spend money, but they do splurge on special items.  Whether it is a piece of jewelry, or a nice car, if they really want it, they will save for it and get it.  They are goal oriented, and will work hard to achieve their goals.  Pittas need to be careful not to be workaholics.  A good strategy for Pittas would be to allocate certain hours for rest and relaxation and not even think about work during that time.

Kaphas are really good savers.  They avoid shopping, but when they do have to go out, they look for bargains.  Kaphas also tend to hold on to items for longer than necessary.  They think that they are saving by doing this, but in most cases, it is causing some inertia.  A good strategy for Kaphas is to go through their closets and drawers every few months and donate unused items to charity.