Exquisite Ojas

Exquisite Ojas

What is Ojas and what does it have to do with Ayurvedic Astrology?

Ayurveda and Jyotish are two branches of the Ved.

Ayurveda is about caring for the body/mind/soul and is often used as a stand-alone practice.

Jyotish, aka Vedic astrology, is Astrology that is based on the principles of the Ved and is also sometimes used as a stand-alone

All branches of the Ved are designed to work together to enhance and deepen one another.

The Ved is rich in 5000-plus years of history, and its application is still fresh today.

Vedic Astrology is designed to open the Dharmic path. The natal chat is built to show us how to manage our lives so we can live our Dharma.

The purpose of all Vedic science is Dharma, which is what makes it so special and unique.

The Ved reveals our personal universal law, which means the way we individually interact with natural law.

Opens the truth of who we are

It gives us access to our inner wisdom so we can stop listening to the noise in the world.

It opens our intuition so that we know the areas of our lives that need support and discern how to choose the proper support.

The discernment to know that most programs and plans are based on what worked for someone else and while their formula may work for others, it will never be at the level of success that following intuition will bring.

Following intuition will allow you to take any process and make it your own.

Jyotish is nature's law and how it expresses itself individually for each person. It is your connection to the divine and the reason you came here.

This is not about adopting a philosophy. It is about claiming your power.

Part 2: What is the reason that we seek spiritual growth?

To reach the divinity of ourselves- to go beyond structures and systems and to reach the core reason why we are here. It's not to follow a formula and do steps for the rest of our lives. That is very boring. These processes have a place; they are infused with ancient rhythms that resonate in our bodies and give us direction to help us ascend. Once we ascend, we are at a different level and may no longer need the process that brought us there. We are aware of our internal wisdom, and this is when things get fun! We meet more aligned people to help us go further on our path.

My journey to Ayurveda began with a sincere search for soul connection. As I perused the library, I stumbled upon a word that resonated with me: Ayurveda. Little did I know that this encounter would change my life.

I was searching for my soul connection. Up until that point, it was as if I were the little bird from a long-ago book who hatched when his mother was away gathering food; he did not know who his mother was, so he went searching, asking everyone and everything he saw; "Are you my mother?" *

I come from a religious background, and it never made sense to me. I felt no connection to God through religion. I only felt a connection when I was out in nature or with loved ones, so for me, God was not in church- God was In the forest! God was in the smiles and hugs that made me feel safe and loved. And yet, everyone said I had to go to church to be with God. It was very confusing as a little child to be talked out of what I knew in my heart was true. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon.

After finding Ayurveda and feeling my world expand into infinity, I faced the reality that nobody had heard of Ayurveda in my little world (before internet access). I was told to stop reading books. Unbelievable right!? To stop reading was never an option – I knew I was right, yet there was no support; I felt so hopeless. I wanted a teacher to scoop me up and show me everything about it, but my journey did not go smoothly.

I took a 15-year detour (A story for another time)

I put Ayurveda on the shelf and kept my search open, just like that little bird, until one summer, I was on a mission to get rid of 25% of my belongings. I saved my books for last because I knew they would be the hardest for me to get rid of. It was close to the end of the summer by this time, and as I was working on my books, the one with Ayurveda on the cover fell off the shelf and landed right on my foot! After making sure there were no broken bones, a feeling of complete joy came over me because I realized I could search Ayurveda on the internet.

Arriving at Ayurveda was a moment of triumph, but I soon realized that the real challenge lay ahead. I was about to embark on a soul journey that would shape the rest of my life. To become the version of myself who could walk this path, I had to engage in a process of self-discovery and unlearning, a journey that continues to this day.

I inherently knew the importance of good teachings, so I talked to many people who directed me to connect with great Ayurveda schools and chose the right one.

One of the first things I learned about is Ojas, and this explained to me one of the biggest reasons I strayed so far off my path for 15 years. I had been depleted and overwhelmed my whole life because I was searching, finding very little nourishment (nourishment is not just about food*), and my Ojas were low.

Through Ayurveda, I discovered the tools to heal myself. The transformation was profound, and I am certain that I would not have absorbed the wisdom of Jyotish as deeply without the foundation of Ayurveda.

And this is why I now practice Ayurvedic Astrology.

Part 3: Opening space in your life for Dharma

One of Dharma's most significant growth obstacles is disconnection from the body.

Applying the spiritual principles of the Ved without first preparing the body causes delays and setbacks, and it can sometimes lead to giving up.

Think of your Dharmic path as a long journey. What do you need to do to prepare?

We spend a lot of time preparing for many things in life, yet we sometimes skip a few steps when it comes to spirituality.

Not preparing is like taking a journey without supplies. You may eventually get there, but not without spending much more effort than necessary.

This will deplete your Ojas and reduce the time you can spend enjoying living in your truth.

Part 4: What is Ojas?

Ojas is the pure essence of all bodily tissues and provides reciprocity by keeping the tissues healthy.

Rasa - hydration

Rakta - blood

Mamsa - muscles

Medas – fat

Asthi – bone

Majja – nervous system

Shukra- reproductive system

Creating healthy Ojas is an integral part of your Dharmic path.

There are two forms of Ojas: One is superior and called Para Ojas. The other is inferior and called Apara Ojas. Para Ojas resides in the heart and maintains life. Para Ojas cannot be replenished; ancient texts say it consists of eight drops and is used to maintain body stability. The rate of use determines the length of life. Apara Ojas can be enhanced and rebuilt according to our lifestyle choices. By keeping Apara Ojas healthy, we help preserve para Ojas. To create longevity, we must build on the buildable Ojas so that Para Ojas will last as long as possible.

You can think of Ojas as your immune system. Healthy Ojas gives the body the ability to resist the effects of stress. Ojas also stabilizes the mind, allowing it to process thoughts and emotions in a healthy, productive way.

The food you eat creates the tissue, and the quality of the tissue depends on not only the quality of food but also the body's ability to process the food correctly, which depends on the Agni/digestion.

We are in this body, and to reach Dharma, we must utilize the body. The body cannot take us to the pure blissful state we want unless we have strong Ojas.

Part 5: Ojas resides in the physical, subtle, and soul

Ojas in the physical body represents:

Annamaya Kosha is the protective sheath of the physical body. Built from the food we eat

Strong immune system

Protects body tissues

In the Natal birth chart, we can assess Ojas here by looking at the many layers of the Ascendant, its ruler, and Mars.

Ojas in the subtle body represents:

Pranamaya Kosha- Breath

Manomaya Kosha- Mind

Vignanamaya Kosha- Intelligence

Psychological stability

The ability to stay on the path even when under stress

The Prevention of mental fatigue

The ability to stay focused on the desired thought processes

Strengthens the aura, creating resiliency and not allowing negative energy to penetrate, preventing psychic attack

Ability to withstand spiritual awakening.

Stored in Muladhara/root and Anahata/heart chakras

The subtle body mediates between the physical and the subtle.

In the Natal birth chart, we can assess Ojas by looking at the Moon's many layers.

Ojas in the soul body represents:

Anandamaya Kosha- Bliss

Pure bliss occurs in the subtle body after spiritual awakening —this tells us we cannot access bliss without strengthening Ojas enough to withstand spiritual awakening.

It opens the pathway to living in harmony with Dharma.

Lives in Sahasra Padma/Crown Chakra- meaning thousand petal lotus. This lotus is filled with the nectar of eternal knowledge, which will be revealed to you once you get here.

In the Natal birth chart, we can assess Ojas here by looking at the many Sun and Atma Karaka layers.

Part 6: What depletes Ojas and creates obstacles to Dharma?

Not taking the time to learn about ourselves through the Vedic lens and creating many plans that take us on an endless loop.

Overworking

Pranayama—breathing practices Anuloma Vilomana is neutral, but it will deplete Ojas over time if not used in conjunction with an Ojas-building lifestyle.

Intense yoga or exercise

Detox/Cleansing: be very careful and seek professional guidance if you have low Ojas

Travel, even traveling for a healing retreat, can further deplete Ojas

No action taken from a place of depletion will ever produce the desired result.

Part 7: Building Ojas

Lay down your sword

It's about the ultimate self-love

Realizing that you don't have to push yourself so hard. Pushing yourself often has the opposite effect on your goal.

Finally accepting that everything you need is already inside you and all you need to do is access it.

It's about the frequency of feeling good and then taking action from that place.

Rest more

Restorative yoga

Nourishing foods such as whole grains, nuts, root veggies, and ghee. Meat can be nourishing (for those who eat meat)

Abhyanga

Nasya

These lists could be much longer, but you get the idea.

If you want support in this process, please get in touch with me.

* Are You My Mother? is a book by P.D. Eastman