The Ayurveda Way: 108 Practices from the World’s Oldest Healing System for Better Sleep, Less Stress, Optimal Digestion, and More. / Ananta Ripa Ajmera, 2017. Storey Publishing. 240 pages, illustrations in color, resources, references, and index.
Ananta Ripa Ajmera’s book is on my Herbs-Nutrition and Ayurveda Gift List for 2017
A brief but serious book of wisdom, The Ayurveda Way… by Ananta Ripa Ajmera presents 108 short essays that introduce Ayurvedic principles to guide us in every area of life. Ajmera is 100% committed to the art and science of a lifestyle in tune with the earth, the planet we live on—an Ayurvedic life.
Leading from the nutritional to the spiritual, this wisdom is offered in four parts— the body, mind, spirit, and its intentions—with the goal of prescribing a life awakened to health and spirituality. Photographs, styling by Kelly Allen, illustrate the beauty of nature that’s close enough to touch and is inherent in the lifestyle, with the objective of guiding you towards insight both about yourself and the concepts of Ayurveda.
There’s a significance to the number 108. Because it’s a multiple of 3, the complete number in anything significant to humans, there are at least 108 things to strive for. This includes knowing that the complete set of principles in Ayurveda begins with good food and good digestion, the pillars of health in Ayurveda. Building an ultra-healthy body helps you avoid disease. In Ayurvedic terms, not only sustaining the body but strengthening the mind with certain practices creates good health and longevity.
In each of the book’s four sections,: Healing Your Body, Strengthening Your Mind, Freeing Your Spirit, and Putting It All Together, there are numerous practices or suggestions for putting your life in order and bringing you joy in the process. Ayurvedic recipes for drinks, breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered to begin your practice of mindfully preparing what you eat.
Leading from nutritional advice to spiritual pathways, this wisdom is offered with the goal of prescribing a life awakened to health and spirituality. For one thing, Ayurveda asks you to step away from harmful habits with food. So, get ready to read viewpoints that oppose those health suggestions that abound on the internet, in books and in people’s conversations about what is good for you!
For one, certain dairy is allowed in recipes, even prescribed, as long as it’s spiced according to the recipes and not taken cold. But fermented foods are too difficult to digest to be healthful so, fermented foods as a group are advised against. And drinking too much water—namely 8 glasses per day—is definitely not good for you if you practice an Ayurvedic way of life.
One special quality of these recipes is the spices. A whole list for your pantry might include turmeric, fennel, cumin, ajwain, fenugreek, mustard seeds; powdered spices like pomegranate seed, mango, and turmeric; and of course fresh garlic and ginger and sometimes fresh turmeric. Cardamom seed and saffron are perfect improvements in any milk drink, such as Spiced Milk. See more about spices, here.
Another special quality of these recipes is cooking in a little bit of oil. Just enough… the key is that Ayurvedic nutritional style cooks spices in ghee first before adding the vegetables. Without spices, your food is still good-tasting, especially if you started with fresh, whole food. But your digestion may greatly improve, thus helping you to thrive, if you add spices to a dish.
In Ajmera’s Seasonal Food Guide the reader is encouraged to:
… eat more, eat heavier foods, spiced milk, ghee, fresh cheese, seasonal fruits, sweet cakes and pies.
Hooray! It’s now Winter Season (from now through March), so we are in an indulgent time with food. Richness is called for to keep your digestion strong. But richness according to the principles of Ayurveda guides you to cook with spices and a little bit of oil. And watch your portion size!
And another thing oil is good for—the outside of your body, your skin. The largest organ we have, the skin is infinitely cared-for with daily oiling. The oil of choice is sesame oil, warmed first and applied to the entire body. Cleanliness, meaning bathing and/or showering are daily routines to maintain health.
Your inner self is one with the sun and all of the natural world. Of all the practices Ajmera offers, opening your spirit to observe and receive the bounty of the natural world is probably one of the most accessible practices to urban humans. Through our five senses, we recognize and soak in the power, abundance and radiance. All of this wealth is right in front of us daily. What we see in the light of day, from sunlight to a beautiful tree, are qualities that are yours by birth, by being human.
Ajmera follows her guru, Acharya Shunya in the art and science of an Ayurvedic life. This is the best endorsement an author can give—that they live the practice. And also that in living a full life, it’s personal experience, not simply the repetition of another’s ideas—even if it has historical basis—is the foundation of her belief.
Photographs illustrate the beauty of nature in pure and elegant images. If a skillfully crafted image opens your mind and heart, you might be directed to find more beauty in your surroundings and environment. Ajmera encourages you to create a “personal sanctuary” in your space. Articles you love are placed there, adorned with a flower or photograph. Appreciating natural objects influences you in diverse ways. From this practice, you may find yourself discerning the meaning of your true self and the concepts of Ayurveda.
See Ajmera’s website here.
Follow
