Practices in Living an Integrated Life
Every facet of life is vital and important, hence our actions should be performed very consciously. In the practice of Ayurveda, we are taught to stay connected. Being totally present mentally and physically in all of our actions. For example, when we eat, it is vital to honor the food we eat. This is not only observed through our senses, but also through the fundamental elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. By invoking these energies, we seek to cleanse, rejuvenate and vitalize the essence of our being. Similarly, all actions we perform from the moment we awake until we retire for the night are conducted with strict attention to maintaining balance.

This Somatic consciousness plays a vital role in the Ayurvedic ways of life. When the mental and physical activity of our field becomes refined, the flow of energy between soma (celestial elixir) and the mind heightens the pulse points of self-awareness and self-observation. One has sown the seed toward a journey of cleansing and refinement, just as from steam distilling 200 kilograms of Cardamom seed we obtain I kilogram of the essential oil.

Our journey to integration has been outlined in very definite pathways. Here we shall elaborate on some of the practices which are diligently adhered to and which can easily be incorporated into one's life, especially if the desired outcome is directed to maintaining good health.

Cleansing the Body
Proper hygienic practices and care of the individual organs of the body are an essential part of proper Ayurvedic practice. Not only do they maintain balance of the humors (vata, pitta, kapha), but they play an important role in the prevention of disease and increased vitality. We shall explore some of the external cleansing practices as passed on by our Vedic ancestors. 

Cleansing the Mouth, Teeth, and Tongue
This sense organ hardly has any respite for the greater part of anyone's waking day. Most cleansing practices are learned by observation and example, which is how the body of knowledge and wisdom has progressed through the centuries. At home, a mouthwash is pre-prepared in a 500 ml bottle of water using the essential oils of Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Cardamom (Eletaria cardamomum), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita). This wash is then used to rinse our mouths. Rinsing one's mouth after every meal is extremely important because bacterial growth can be inhibited. In the process of rinsing, only a small quantity need to be taken in and the mouthwash agitated by creating water jets inside the mouth wall by exercising the facial muscles. These jets will not only travel between the spaces of the teeth, but also the spaces between the teeth and gums. Massaging the gums with forefinger and thumb was another part of strengthening gums and enhancing circulation.

For cleaning the teeth the Neem (Azadirachta indica) tree was the complete caretaker. Tender twigs were used as brushes by chewing its ends to stimulate a soft, brushlike quality which was rubbed on the teeth. Today a powder and paste of the Neem is used.

Tongue cleaning is very important in Ayurveda, because the food particles and other by-products, which tend to accumulate at the root of the tongue, can lead to respiratory and digestive disorders, plus throat and mouth infections. The application is done with the aid of a tongue-cleaner which is made out of gold, silver, copper and stainless steel. By extending the tongue as far out as possible, we are able to reach the root area to scrape the accumulation. While cleaning, it is important to produce a resonant sound from the throat-stomach area. This not only activates the salivary glands and the stomach muscles, but also re-vitalizes these centers. This process is done in the morning.

Cleansing the Nasal Passages
This practice, known as nasyam in SansVrit, relates to the exercise of having the flow of air, or prana, through the nasal passages unobstructed. In the Ayurvedic practice, blocked nasal passages lead to sinus problems, headaches, migraines, pains in the jaw and ear areas. lt is good to keep a premixed bottle of water with the essential oils of Cardamom and Anise (Illicium verum) for inhalation in a lukewarm state. By exercise in the morning, the nasal passages obtain much needed moisture and get relieved. It is important to blow one's nose with force a few times to enable this process.

The Daily Bath in the Bucket
The daily Bath in the Bucket is a spledid way to start the day in a way that not only cleanses the body, but clears and energizes the mind as well.

To perform the Bath in the Bucket, fill a 5 gallon bucket with comfortably hot water and choose a selection of essential oils, dropping a few drops of each into the bucket.

Swirl the oils into the water with your hand, then use a bowl or other dipper to dip into the water and pour it back into the bucket, thus aerating and mixing the water and oils. Chant as you aerate the mixture, to evoke the cosmic prana. Set aside a small glass of the mixture for rinsing the mouth after your bath is finished.

Step into the shower and turn the water on just long enough to get wet. Turn the shower off and finish your bath by dipping the water out of the bucket and cleansing yourself with this wonderful mixture of essential oils and water. It will not be necessary to use soap, as the oils will thoroughly cleans the body in a most pleasing and gentle way.

You will find that as your day unfolds, the oils will slowly diffuse throughout the day, bringing a prolonged energizing and therapeutic effect.

Warm Aromatic FootBath Before Bed
At the end of the day, fill a small tub (large enough to comfortably fit your feet into) with comfortably warm water. Choose a selection of relaxing oils such as Spikenard, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Marjoram, YlangYlang and Jasmine. Add a tew drops of each oil to the tub of water. As you stir the oils into the water, evoke a chant ..Om works very nicely...to resonate the waters and evoke the cosmic prana.

Soak the feet, relaxing and breathing deeply, enjoying the scents as they waft up to the nose. Take soft, deep breaths.

When the water has cooled, gently dry feet with a towel. Kick back and enjoy a cup of hot milk with almond, some chamomile tea with honey* and ginseng, or a cup of Earl Grey with Bergamot...then gently drift off to sleep.

*It is important,( to use honey that is produ'ced locally' as it contains components that are extremely helpful in alleviating stresses .specific to the area where you' live.


Weekly Oil Baths
Choose a suitable carrier oil such as jojoba or sesame oil and add rejuvenating/cleansing essential oils of your choice. Warm the oil mixture.

Begin at the Solar Plexus, gently massaging in ever-widening circles, like a galaxy, out to the rib cage and back in to the center. Then continue the massage with the palms...moving in continual circles out and back into the center.

Next move down to the navel area and repeat this sequence of massage.

From there, move up to the chest, down the shoulders to each hand, moving in the spiral pattern, first with finger tips, then again with the palms, paying special attention to the shoulders, elbows? and wrists.

We then move down to the toes, working our way up to the feet, ankles, shins, knees, thighs and finally the hips and buttocks.

The next step is to move up to the head, moving the fingers in the circular motion, through the hair, all over the scalp, fluidly kneading the scalp front to back.

Place I drop of jojoba and one drop of helichrysum on the fingers and massage into the entire ear area, again, moving in the circular pattern.

When finished with the ears, move to the face, beginning with the forehead, then moving to the cheeks, and down to the neck, again using first the tips of the fingers in the circular pattern and then the entire length of the fingers in a stroking manner.

When the massage is completed, relax and play for at least an hour, allowing the oils to soak in to begin their detoxifying action.

After an hour or two, finish off the massage with a hot bath. Sitting on a stool in the tub, begin to scrub the body, from head to toe, with a loofah or using some Shikakai (acacia conciana) Powder. When finished, rinse off, and gently tow-el dry.

As in every event of our life's journey, staying connected is keeping in touch...

What better moment to begin than now!

God Bless...
Krishna


Where Nature goes to create stars, galaxies, quarks, and leptons, you and I go to create ourselves.
Deepak Chopra - Journey into Healing: Awakening the Wisdom Within You