Are we getting vaccinated? Yes.
We trust the strength of our immune systems, the practices of radical self care, and the value of preventative wellness. As always, we’re eating vegetables, getting our Vitamin D and resting lots.
We also deeply believe in the principle of collective wellness, and we know that not everyone has access to the same nourishing food and tools for preventative wellness that we have.
So, getting our COVID vaccinations is one small way that we are choosing to support our local and global communities. When we view the world through an intersectional lens, we are reminded of how dynamics of power, privilege, and access play into who has the option to choose.
Given that our geographic location, able bodies, race, economic status and education have afforded us the *choice,* we choose the relative risk to ourselves on behalf of the whole.
And, we are getting the vaccine not because we fear our bodies couldn’t handle the disease, but because we are fortunate to have bodies that are resilient enough to process the vaccine itself. Though much is still unknown about the long-term effects of the vaccine, we feel that the imperative to save lives now, to protect the vulnerable, to reinvigorate local economies, and to prevent long-haul COVID symptoms outweigh the risks.
Like many of you, we have historically been skeptical of “big pharma” and we don’t love that capitalism has allowed these companies to benefit immensely from this crisis. Still, at this critical moment, putting our faith in science and modern medicine — and the good intentions of the people behind this technology — feels like the choice that most benefits the collective.
We also understand that the choice is a very personal one, and that everyone has their own unique set of circumstances to consider — so we are not here to shame anyone. We just ask, as you navigate the choice for yourself, that you think beyond yourself — that you consider which of the options in front of you will bring the highest good to the most people.
When you act from this place, you will invariably choose right.
This Pandemic is an Opportunity for Our Evolution
There is a great shift underway. We knew it was coming, but we didn’t know what form it would arrive in. It’s here now — the virus — and we now have the choice to accept it as an ally in our evolution.
The arrival of this insidious pathogen is something we all need to take seriously — while it is not time to panic, it is also not a time to be cavalier. Instead, this is an invitation to care for one another and to remember what is truly important to us as individuals, to humanity and to the Earth. We didn’t listen to the more subtle warning signs, but now it’s loud and clear — we are being dramatically called into a new level of greatness based on how we respond now.
The great possibility here is that we reset and realign, and chart a new path for the future.
In this moment, we all have a profound opportunity to tune into the rhythms and elements of nature, and to attend carefully to nourishment of body, mind, and spirit. This is a time to take a step back, turn inwards, and to reflect on our own humanity and our place on this planet.
As we lean into this new and unfamiliar space, many great opportunities arise. We invite you to embrace the following options when spending more time at home in the coming weeks. These are ways to deepen your wisdom and evolve yourself so that we emerge on the other side of this pandemic better prepared to protect and nourish not only ourselves, but the planet as a whole.
Ground in
During this time, get connected to the nourishment that is available in staying home. Most of us are constantly on the go, seeking experiences or achieving goals in the world. But right now, we have the profound opportunity to root ourselves back into our home bases. There is much wisdom and growth to be accessed from within this space — and no moment should feel dull. Furthermore, collectively reducing our travel will give our precious planet a much needed break from pollution, so you can feel great about that contribution to the collective healing.
Practice ritual cleansing
We’ve all heard about the importance of washing our hands — yes, do that often. As you do, make it a ritual by taking those 20 seconds to send loving kindness out into the world you’re a part of. (For some natural antimicrobial benefit, consider washing your hands with Ayurvedic neem soap.) But beyond simply cleansing your hands, treat your full body, mind and spirit to regular ritual bathing. Add botanicals, salts and prayers to your warm water — calling upon the power of intention to keep you safe, loved and in service to the world. As you bathe, cleanse your energetic space and kill germs in the air by burning sacred and antimicrobial frankincense resin.
Hone your daily routine
While at home, find a new routine and stick to it. Doing so will keep you in a healthy physical and mental state — and will set you up for success if you are someone who is newly working from home. We recommend that you wake up with the sun, and give yourself at least two hours of time and space to meditate, exercise, take some immune boosting chyavanprash, and eat a nutritious breakfast before diving into work. Be sure to take time to integrate walks outside, cooking meals, spending time with family and taking time away from electronics. Do your best to be in bed by 9:30 or 10 pm to ensure a good night’s rest. The best way to stick to a routine is to dream up your ideal (but realistic) routine, write it down, and put it somewhere you’ll see it throughout the day.
Detoxify your body
As now is a time with less temptation of social dining, so it’s the PERFECT time to gently detox your body with a nourishing kitchari cleanse. Doing this will reset and revive your agni (digestive fire), rejuvenate all of your body’s cells, deeply nourish all of your tissues and increase overall health and resiliency. To complete this 3-5 day cleanse, you’ll simply replace your normal meals with a small bowl of warm, comforting kitchari each day. Kitchari is akin to porridge made from basmati rice, mung dal, spices and ghee…. and it’s easy to make with non-perishable food items that you can stock up on by ordering directly from the Banyan Botanicals website. Get a comprehensive guide to completing your Ayurvedic cleanse here.
Develop a personal movement practice
As yoga studios and gyms temporarily close their doors for community safety, now is a brilliant time to tune in and listen to what your body needs. Take what you have learned in your classes, and bring it home, integrating it into your own personal flow. Turn on some music, light some incense, and get on your mat. Just 30 minutes of movement per day, tailored to what feels good to you, will keep you strong and joyful through this time.
Treat symptoms holistically
At a time like this, we have the opportunity to remember our roots — to call upon the abundance of the simple medicine that surrounds us — the remedies that lay waiting in our very own kitchen cabinets. You can access some simple and safe home remedies that will help soothe symptoms and speed recovery in our blog post called Ayurvedic Remedies for Symptoms of COVID-19. These remedies are based on recipes that were included in the ancient texts of Ayurveda — they have stood the test of time, and are as relevant now as ever before. You can also access them in this free virtual workshop.
Empower yourself with deep wellness wisdom
While you are at home, rather than (only) marathoning movies or binge watching the news, invest in your long term health and wellbeing by familiarizing the deep wisdom of Ayurveda. You can access this wisdom from home in our online wellness program The Art of Ayurveda: Ancient Secrets for Self Care. This ancient healing science not only offers a framework for viewing the world in a way that empowers us in our choices, it provides concrete tools we can use to increase resiliency, prevent disease and feel our very best on the daily. Now is the time to commit yourself to your evolution, and Ayurveda offers a holistic approach that will serve you, and the planet, for your whole life.
Reconnect with family
We are being called home for a reason. It is an invitation to return to our nucleus, our core. Family is at our core, and more time at home means more time to connect with those we might take for granted. Take the time to plan activities with your parents or your children. Do so intentionally, perhaps by playing question and answer games, doing art projects or preparing delicious meals together. Home is where the heart is — so tap in.
Take care of each other
This is a time to think not only of yourself, but of others. Just because your immune system is not compromised, does not mean you don’t need to activate and collaborate to make sure everyone is safe. Gather mindfully. Wash your hands. Stay home if you feel sick. Support small businesses. Reach out to a friend. Send loving kindness to everyone in line with you at the store. If you see someone who needs help — now is the time to step outside yourself and take the extra moment to support. By practicing the law of circulation, you will see that what extra generosity, loving kindness and care you put out, the more you will receive in return. So ask yourself, how much more can I GIVE right now?
Meditate and Listen to Mantra
The natural state of the mind is clear, alert, attentive, understanding, compassionate and cooperative. From this state one is able to perform more highly in all other areas of life. When the body experiences heightened stress over an extended period of time, it is unable to perform its normal duties to full capacity — including maintaining a strong immune system.
So, at the very least, take 10 minutes twice per day to turn off your electronics, close your eyes and tune into your breath. Allow your thoughts to flow through effortlessly, attaching no meaning to them. Do this first thing every morning.
If you’d like to take it a step further, try learning the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, one of the most important healing mantras in Ayurveda. It is said that recitation of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra creates a vibration that pulsates through every cell and every molecule of the human body, igniting a fire within that consumes all negativity and purifies the entire system. For thousands of years, it has been witnessed that the recitation of this special mantra rejuvenates the body and mind, and bestows health, wealth, long life, peace, prosperity and contentment.
The mantra is written as follows:
Om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvā rukamiva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt
You can listen to recordings of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra on Spotify. A couple of great ones to try are:
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, by Sacred Sound Choir
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, by Suresh Wadkar
Sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed (or gazing at a candle) and focus your attention on the mantra as you listen. Take the healing sound in with your whole being.
Now, more than ever before, we are being called to return home to ourselves, while simultaneously unite selflessly in collaboration with one another to overcome this grave global challenge. As we each become more acutely aware of how our individual actions affect the whole, remember that YOU MATTER. Your CHOICES MATTER. We are at a great turning point, and it’s time to start making choices that contribute to not only our collective healing, but our collective evolution. We hope that in this guide you’ve found some ideas for how to do just that.
By Sierra Brashear, MA, CERTIFIED Ayurvedic Practitioner
If you’re looking for extra support and inspiration during this transformative time, we have something that may help.
The Art of Work Life Balance
You are building the foundation —
Let’s keep the momentum.
The way you care for yourself (and others) matters.
The systems that you put in place now will enable you to make a deeper impact long-term.
Think about this:
As we align our energy through the structure of a refined routine, we experience greater clarity and vitality to show up for what we believe in, which enables us to pursue our passions. We also experience more spaciousness for communication, collaboration and appreciation — all of which contribute to our ability to take thoughtful action and contribute to collective wellness. The more deeply connected we are with ourselves and our tools for radical self care, the better equipped we are to stay centered amidst the chaos and make a meaningful impact — without burning out.
We want to support you in taking the next step toward greater integration and accountability.
The Art of Work Life Balance is a dynamic online program that will invite you to live more intentionally and act more thoughtfully by nurturing yourself and others.
Rooted in Ayurveda, our wellness systems weave ancient wisdom for holistic healing into the modern context. We seek to ensure this powerful knowledge is accessible to all who desire to embark on a journey of renewal.
The purpose of this program is to support YOU to live a more balanced life through the ancient healing science of Ayurveda. It is packed with insights, inspirations and tools designed to support the deepening of your own personal wellness.
Self care is a radical act — when you are vibrant and awake, you have the clarity and energy to show up for what you believe in. Cultivate Balance provides Ayurvedic consultations, wellness webinars and workshops, Goodness Guides, and online wellness courses that support you to nurture yourself so you can nurture the world. Dive in with our FREE mini-course, The Basic Balance Challenge!
