Autumn is indeed a spiritually rich season, offering a time for reflection, introspection, and connection with nature. However, the transition from summer to autumn can be challenging for many due to the shorter, darker, and cooler days. These environmental changes often lead to imbalances in the body and mind, manifesting as anxiety, disrupted sleep, and digestive issues. Let's explore the roots of these imbalances during the fall and discuss ways to improve them.
Ritucharya: Aligning with Nature
In Sanskrit, the word "Ritucharya" refers to the practice of synchronizing the body and mind with the natural changes occurring in the environment. We sometimes mistakenly believe that we are separate from nature, but we are not; what happens in the environment inevitably influences us.
In my experience, transitioning from summer to fall can be challenging for many people. Why? There are several reasons—the days become shorter, there's less sunlight, and for some, this change can have a significant impact. These shifts can disturb our internal balance, leading to various physical and emotional challenges.
The connection between ojas and autumn lies in the way this season influences our body's vitality and immune system. Ojas, in Ayurveda, is considered the subtle essence that governs immunity, strength, and overall well-being. As we transition into autumn, the colder, drier, and windier weather can challenge our body's balance, potentially depleting ojas.
Autumn is a time when vata dosha, associated with air and ether elements, becomes more prominent. Vata’s qualities of dryness, coolness, and mobility can disturb ojas if not properly managed. This can lead to issues like increased anxiety, weakened immunity, and overall discomfort.
What is Ojas?
Ojas is the subtle essence responsible for life, health, strong immunity, longevity, and overall well-being. This essence is derived from the proper digestion and efficient metabolism of food, nourishing the bodily tissues including blood, plasma, lymph, muscle, fat, bones, bone marrow, and body fluids.
Ojas is described as having the color of ghee, the taste of honey, and the smell of fried rice.
Which are the signs of Healthy Ojas?
Radiant complexion
Strong immunity
Cheerfulness, energy and enthusiasm,
High threshold for stress
Mental clarity
Creativity
Feeling of Bliss
Why Ojas is the "Nectar of all Dhatus"?
The word “dhatu” stands for “that which holds,” relating to our body's collection of cells which maintain the potential to nourish, support, and protect us.
These seven tissue layers include the lymph (rasa), blood (rakta), muscles (mamsa), fat (meda), bone (asthi), nerves (majja), and reproductive organs (shukra). These seven tissues hold our organs in place, construct our structure, and provide the freedom to move around with ease.
This is the Saptadhatu (seven-tissue) theory is one of the fundamental aspects of Ayurvedic system of medicine.
As we have been discusing before in this post, the concept of OJAS is very subtle and fundamental: It basically refers to the vital and essential energy of the immunity or the immune system and is responsible for vitality, immunity and strength.
Ojas is the essence or juice which remains present after the proper digestion and assimilation of the food-stuffs. When the human body is capable of producing ojas, then all the organs retain vitality and the body is receiving the micro- nutrients and macro-nutrients in optimal strength. When the biological fire or agni is not working in a proper fashion, the body is not in a position to produce ojas. Under these circumstances, food, feelings and thoughts convert into ama (toxines)
Ojas is the nectar of all the bodily tissues. It is created when th agni (metabolism) is prime and tejas is balanced.Ojas is sweet honey of life. Ojas is the potential source of strength, power, and natural resistance.
When vata dosha becomes destabilized during autumn, it can lead to a drying out of ojas, the vital essence responsible for immunity, vitality, and overall well-being. If vata's influence becomes too strong, it can disrupt the flow of ojas, leading to various issues such as weakened immunity, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to stress and illness. On the other hand, those with strong ojas show signs of radiant health—bright eyes, a calmess and robust immunity.
How can I protect and Support Ojas in Autumn?
To maintain and protect ojas during autumn, it’s important to adopt practices that counterbalance the effects of vata. This includes:
Do things which makes you and others happy.
Following a regular routine (very important!)
Eat warm food, easy to digest food. Try out my Kitchary recepie!
Choose pumpkins, squash, and sweet potatoes, commonly harvested in the fall, are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, which boosts the immune system.
Include spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, which are common in fall recipes, especially in teas and soups. These spices have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Fermented foods can increase agni (digestive fire), improve nutrient absorption, and balance gut health. Foods like yogurt, Paneer (fermented cheese), and pickles have a heating nature, which can increase Pitta dosha.
Eat in time, in moderate quantity with pleasant mind.
Staying hydrated.
Have a regular healthy lifestyle.
Leave stress, or at least have less amount of stress.
Engaging in grounding activities like meditation and gentle yoga.
Be active spiritually.
Let the positive thoughts, positive energy enter into your body and mind.
Have some support from Ayurveda medicines which nourishes the body and makes it balanced.
Remember you can also find me on Instagram and YouTube where I share lots of free classes to practice at home :)
Until next time!
With love,
Paulina.
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