God of Fire; why we light lamps; burning the ego
The Adiveda Weekly #4
Hari Aum Sadhakas!
We hope you have enjoyed reading about the first two elements – earth (prithvi) and water (apas). You have seen how subtly they are based in our bodies. Today we will be taking the third element of fire (agni).
What’s new: This week onwards, we’ll be including a section on nature cure for everyday well-being. Say hello to Dr. Poorna Menon, she’s a Naturopathic Doctor and has been ever so kind to share her expertise with us.
Dr. Poorna has been trained in pharmaceuticals, dietary nutrition, lifestyle management, herbal/botanical medicine, nutraceuticals/supplements, homeopathy, counselling, and mind-body medicine. More on her Instagram here.
The Hindu way of life
The Vedas which are the foundation of our culture tell us that the world we perceive is just a bundle of sensations received by the mind without a break! Each individual has different experiences that belong to him alone. These are the bricks by which he creates the edifice of his life. What he thinks of as the “I” is only a collection of the information he has got from the outside world that he has superimposed on his own mind. This is known as the “ahamkara” or ego. The Vedas also refer to this ego or I as “fire” – because it burns and blazes and suffers! Experiences are the fuel that keeps this fire burning. This fire goes on consuming more and more experiences and keeps suffering because of its delusion. Only the person who has understood the nature of this super-imposed “I” will be able to reach the state of the Brahman!
Reflection of the week
“Like the sun, enlightened people are never afraid of darkness because they carry light with them always.”
For your everyday practice
Light a lamp every day.
We should light at least one diya (lamp) using sesame oil or ghee. This should be done at two sandhyas (twilight). Morning sandhya is half an hour before the sun rises and evening sandhya is half an hour after the sun sets. The vitality emitted from a lamp, lit with sesame oil or ghee has the effect of dispersing negative energy. An electric lamp may keep out the darkness but it will not dispel negative energy!
For your health and well-being
Eat your lightest meal for dinner.
Our body reflects the rhythms of Nature and our digestive fire, or agni, reflects the rhythms of the Sun. Similarly, when the Sun is at its lowest in the evening – our digestive fire is at its weakest too. This is why Ayurveda recommends you eat your smallest meal at the end of the day. The meal should ideally be had before sunset, or at least a couple of hours before bedtime. It should be light and easy for your body to digest and assimilate. Just making this one change can benefit your digestive process and energy greatly – try it out and observe the changes you experience!
By Dr. Poorna Menon, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
From Vanamali Mataji’s desk
Outside us, we experience fire most commonly as the heat of the sun. It is present within us too, as Lord Krishna tells his dear friend Arjuna – “I am the fire of digestion in every living body, and I am the air of life, outgoing and incoming, by which I digest the food.” In this week’s blog, Mataji expands on the fire element, the role it plays and how we can work with it in our sadhana.
Important dates this week
Full Moon on Tuesday, 14th June
That’s all for now. What would you like to see more of? Let us know! Thank you very much for reading.
At your service,
The Adiveda Team