“Om Mani Padme Hum” (Ohm Ma-Nee Pod-May Hum) is one of the most prevalent mantras in Tibet.  It is recited by Buddhists, and painted or carved on rocks, prayer wheels, and wall hangings.  This mantra is known as the mantra of Chenrezi, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the protective deity of Tibet.  The practice of the mantra is said to relieve negative karma, and help rescue us from suffering.  The mantra is more powerful when we think of the meaning behind these six syllables.  Om symbolizes transformation.  Mani means the jewel.  The Dalai Lama says: “Just as a jewel is capable of removing poverty, so the altruistic mind of enlightenment is capable of removing the poverty, or difficulties, and of solitary peace.  Similarly, just as a jewel fulfills the wishes of sentient beings, so the altruistic intention to become enlightened fulfills the wishes of sentient beings.”  Padme means lotus and symbolizes wisdom.  The lotus frows out of the mud, but is not affected by the mud, indicating the quality of wisdom, which keeps you out of contradiction.  Hum represents inseparability, and purity, which can be achieved with the unity of method and wisdom.

The classic paintings of Indian gods and goddesses are filled with symbolism.  Every item depicted has meaning and serves a purpose in telling a story.  For example, a snake is wrapped around Shiva’s neck.  It symbolizes the cycle of time, the kundalini shakti and release from the bondage of nature.  Shiva also holds a trident, which represents the threefold aspect of creation, preservation, and destruction.  Durga holds a sword, which cuts the knot of illusion.  It shows that we can free ourselves from error and ignorance.  In one hand, Ganesh holds a goad that offers encouragement to follow the path of righteousness.  In another hand, Ganesh holds a Modhak, a sweet that represents knowledge and wisdom.  The rat shown with Ganesh symbolizes the crafty intellect, which is dominated by Ganesh’s wisdom.

Karma is action, the cause and effect of what we do.  According to the classical scriptures from India, there are four types of karma:

-Sanchita Karma: This is basically all-inclusive karma.  It is what we have accumulated from previous lifetimes, and past actions in this lifetime, good and bad.  It is everything we need to work out eventually – now or later.

-Prarabdha Karma: This is the karma that we are working off in this lifetime.  Since we choose our birthtime, we also choose the planets that are there at the time of our birth, which affects our karma. 

-Agami Karma: This is the more immediate kind of karma.  When we do something and see the effects right then and there.

-Kriyamana Karma: This is how our purposeful actions affect our future karmic return.  If we are more aware of the actions we take, and act out of kindness we will be able to improve our future karma.

The Panchatantra (the five books) is a collection of ancient Indian folk tales, originally written in Sanskrit sometime around 200 B.C. by the Hindu scholar, Pandit Vishnu Sharma.  But the origins of some of these stories go back as far as 1500 to 500 B.C., during the time of the Rig-Veda and the Upanishads.  As time went on, people traveling through India took the stories around the world where they was translated into many languages.  The Panchatantra is said to be a part of the science known as “Nitishastra,” which translated from Sanskrit means “book of wise conduct in life.”  The stories are actually lessons that teach how to understand people, to to choose reliable friends, how to solve problems with tact and wisdom, and how to live in peace and harmony despite life’s challenges.

Even though most of the population in India is either Hindu or Muslim, Christmas is still celebrated with much fanfare throughout the country.  It is a national holiday in India, enjoyed by everyone irrespective of religion.  The banana and mango trees are decorated, and often homes are decorated with mango leaves.  You will often see small clay oil-burning lamps on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls.  Christian families exchange gifts, and give baksheesh, or charity, to those in need.  Poinsettias are abundant, especially in churches.  There are lots of candles at the Christmas Eve services.  In the more urban areas of India, you’ll often find the more western decor, the familiar Christmas trees adorned with stars and tinsel and small toys.  Santa makes an appearance in some shops and you’ll even see Christmas carolers parading through the streets. 

There’s a big trend now toward eating raw foods.  I can understand the principle behind it, raw foods and juices are very cleansing and energizing, they contain a lot of natural intelligence.  Sprouts have enzymes which help with digestion, and some of the spicier sprouts help to eliminate toxins, which Ayurveda calls.  However, for the nutrients in food to be properly assimilated into the body, it must be cooked.  Cooking happens either outside the body, the conventional way with heat in the kitchen, or it can be cooked in the stomach.  The digestive system has to be really strong to provide enough energy to cook the food inside the body.  Pittas can handle eating raw foods, and Kaphas can eat some raw foods, particularly during Pitta season.  But in general, raw foods are not good for Vatas.  Because of their sensitive digestion, Vatas need to favor warm, cooked foods.

Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences.  Many westerners are introduced to Ayurveda through Yoga.  We find so many benefits from the practice of Yoga that we are eager to learn more, and we find that with the science of life.  When we incorporate both of these practices into our lives, the effects are more profound.  Ayurveda helps to support our system, so that we strengthen our bodies and cultivate peace. Especially important during this hectic holiday season!  Organic India has put together a Yoga Essentials Kit especially for this purpose.  It includes their Gotu Kola Formula, which helps to balance the nervous system, bring clarity to the mind, and strengthen concentration.  Gotu Kola is also a natural energizer!  The Turmeric Formula works to purify the blood, liver and kidneys and also aids in digestion.  Turmeric also promotes a glowing complexion, and contains powerful antioxidants.  The Flexibility Formula fights muscle fatigue and helps the body to become more naturally flexible.  This combination of herbs was specifically created to improve overall muscle and joint health.  Taken together these herbs work synergistically as the perfect formula for a physically active lifestyle.  A good way to jump start those New Year’s Resolutions!

Pomegranates are hailed as a kind of wonder fruit and this is something Ayurveda has been aware of for centuries.  The Sanskrit name for the pomegranate is Dadima. The main taste is considered to be astringent, but it also may contain the taste of sweet, sour, and bitter.  While the pomegranate is excellent for improving digestion, the beauty is that it doesn’t increase Pitta.  Best of all, the pomegranate is an aphrodisiac!  Ayurveda says that it is a remedy for impotence, eat one pomegranate every night for fourteen nights and you’re good to go!  They’re also great for helping to overcome nausea.  I found this wonderful recipe for pomegranate salad you can serve your sweetie when you want a romantic evening:

Pomegranate Salad

½ cup garbanzo beans
all the seeds from 1 fresh pomegranate
2 cups watercress leaves (heat in a skillet to wilt)
1 Tablespoon pine nuts, toasted

Toss all of the above with a dressing of lemon juice and olive oil and a little sea salt.  Yummy!

In yoga class it sounds so elegant and exotic when the teacher uses the Sanskrit names for the different poses.  A lot of the names end in the word “asana” because asana means “pose.”  Some we can figure out from the Sanskrit we are familiar with.  Mandala means circle, so circle pose is “Mandalasana.” I found a really cool book that translates many of the yoga poses, “The Language of Yoga: A Complete A to Y Guide to Asana Names, Sanskrit Terms and Chants.” It includes illustrations, yoga sequences (vinyasas) for various routines, and a CD with pronunciation and chants.  If you’re interested in learning some Sanskrit, this is a great introduction.  It’s spiral bound so it can lay flat while you’re practicing your yoga and listening to the CD.  Right now I’m learning how to count: eka, dvi, tri, catur, panca, sat, sapta, asta, nava, dasa.

The Language of Yoga

Kundalini is basically energy.  Loosely translated from Sanskrit it means “coiled energy.” Kundalini is often depicted as a snake, coiled up in the base of our spine, at the root chakra, waiting to be awakened.  According to Ayurveda, it is reddish in color, like the root chakra, and as the energy moves up the spine it changes colors with the chakras.  As we grow spiritually, kundalini gradually awakens, we have more clarity of thought, and the body becomes strong and healthy.  To encourage this awakening, it is helpful to live an ayurvedic lifestyle, and to practice yoga and meditation.

Kundalini on amazon