2013-05-23T19:53:52-04:00 Puja Madan http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=puja-madan Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Puja Madan Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1929060 2012-10-01T11:00:04-04:00 2012-12-01T05:12:01-05:00

Puja Madan http://www.huffingtonpost.com/puja-madan/
And you know what? It is true! Meditation, the indescribable experience of being the detached observer is the key to connect with the part of us that is timeless, ageless, and formless. Meditation gives us the courage to live our truth and the inner guidance to deal with day-to-day stresses. Life goes on but with the help of meditation, there is more joy, more clarity, more creativity and more energy.

But meditation needs a few solid foundations. If any of the three main pillars of meditation are weak, then going within and touching that blissful silence is not only challenging but also impossible. Lets take a look at these three aspects and what we can do to balance them in our lives.

The Right Food

There are two aspects to food that need addressing.

First let's talk about the kind of foods that steer us away from our center.

Foods that sedate, numb or intoxicate are going to come in the way. While alcohol comes right up on top, there are other foods that add to the acidity of the body, creating hurdles to our experience of higher consciousness. These include coffee, refined sugars, processed, chemical-laden and heavy foods. If you eat something and don't feel vibrant and alive a few hours after eating it, then it's probably the wrong food for you. The best way to find out is to keep a food journal and track what you eat and how you feel.

The second thing about food is the state of our mind when eating, which is equally, if not more important that the food itself. The same food, eaten joyously, lovingly and in gratitude will have a different impact on the body-mind than eating with sadness, anxiety and/or stress. Sharing a meal with loved ones will nourish us differently from a meal eaten in the car on the way to work.

The Right Movement

Lack of physical activity has completely disconnected us from our bodies and the intuition it brings with it. This disconnect is costing us dearly, from physical ailments to psychological issues. Add to that the tremendous amount of food (not necessarily nutrient-dense) that we have access to 24/7 and we are an unhealthy bunch of people.

For meditation, movement has great significance and usefulness, because movement allows for centering opportunities. Energy from the brain starts moving downwards and with that, balance and harmony within our being are possible. If you're a runner, you know that in those moments when your body is in motion, there is no room for thought, contemplation or worry. Movement lets the experience of 'no-mind' occur and is therefore a very powerful building block for meditation.

Movement can range from simple household activities (doing the dishes, carrying children around, taking the stairs) to more active styles like running and working out at the gym. Dance, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Chi Gong are all forms of movement that support the energy to move from the head to the navel, also called our second brain.

I often us the analogy of dating: you have to try out a bunch of different movement types to find 'the one'. Take a few classes or try some DVDs at home to see which style resonates with you and make you feel vibrant and energetic.

The Right Sleep

With disorganised food and exercise patterns, is it any surprise that we're a nation (and planet) riddled with sleep disorders?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "Persons experiencing sleep insufficiency are also more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as from cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity"

There's a reason for that. The liver carries out some serious work in our sleep, especially between 10pm and 2am. This work involves detoxification and filtering out toxins from the body that we ingest during the day. If the liver isn't able to complete its job, the toxins return to the blood stream and circulate, causing imbalances and in turn a host of disorders. This capacity to regain and recoup during the night, what has been lost in the day, is central to our physical and psychological health.

While there are guidelines for how much sleep is required, every body is different and other factors like age play a role as well. Eastern wisdom recommends waking up with the sun because with the rising sun the body's temperature begins to rise as well, but I recommend experimentation and coming to your own conclusions.

By balancing these three areas in our lives we have a good shot at enjoying the bliss of meditation. How's your foundation looking?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1730274 2012-08-01T16:56:35-04:00 2012-10-01T05:12:03-04:00

Puja Madan http://www.huffingtonpost.com/puja-madan/ "Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic." - John Henry Jowett

Work can be stressful, unhealthy relationships can be stressful, commuting can be stressful, managing mortgages can be stressful. But you know what else can be really really stressful? Wanting more than we already have. This constant desiring, wanting, wishing, pining for things outside our reach is dangerous for our physical, emotional and spiritual health. The problem with having an attitude of lack is that it becomes a vicious cycle: we believe that there is never enough time, energy, love, money, work opportunities - fill in the blank - in the world and the very clinging to this belief ensures we remain in lack.

It is both healthy and necessary to have a sense of ambition and a vision for the future. However when we begin trading our happiness, wonder and joy of the present for the pursuit of these goals, we are in deep trouble. Besides wanting more (of anything) is a sure shot way to build resentment and negativity towards ourselves and others: there is always someone else who has something we want.

Stress, frustration, unhappiness: guaranteed!

Gratitude on the other hand has a completely different energy and feel to it. It brings us right back into the present moment. When we start looking at our lives with grateful eyes, our hearts are open to new and positive experiences, people and opportunities.

Confidence and self-esteem

Giving gratitude helps us see all that we've done to get where we are. For instance, without gratitude a person with a new job might begin thinking about the next new job or salary she or he would like. By offering gratitude for what is, we allow ourselves to acknowledge the energy, time and love we've poured into bringing us to this point in life. This brings an unshakable sense of confidence and self-esteem, making us less susceptible to outside judgments and expectations.

Optimism

What we pay attention to, grows. The simple act of being aware of the positive aspects of our lives brings even more positive experiences and keeps us in an optimistic state of mind. With this attitude we're more fun to be around with - at work, at home or in social settings. A positive attitude is very attractive!

Health Benefits

Robert A. Emmons, of the University of California, Davis has been at the forefront of research studying the physical, emotional and interpersonal benefits of living in gratitude. Studies now show that people who give gratitude regularly have better immunity, and have lower risk of heat attacks and neuro-muscular disorders. They also report better sleep and less anxiety and depression.

Starting this process is a little challenging. After all we're surrounded by media reports that affirm our beliefs of lack. What I recommend to clients is to write just three things they are grateful for every night before they sleep. That's it. Like a muscle this habit grows, and before I know it, my clients are filling out pages and pages of things they are grateful for.

Looking for inspiration? Here are some starting points: just look around you. Your immediate environment is a great place to start. You are in a home that keeps you safe and protected. You have a comfortable bed and a cozy blanket to keep you warm. If you're writing or typing you probably have the use of one or both arms. Your eyes help you experience the many wonders of the Universe. We all have loved ones that we share our home or life with. Did someone hold a door open for you today? A friend who texted you before you turned off those lights? A yummy chocolate mousse that hit the spot after dinner?

That's eight things already.

I prefer the traditional pen and paper method, but for the tech-savvy, there's a wonderful app called The Gratitude Journal that lets you add images, design templates and quotes.

The slightest shift in perspective can change the quality of our lives dramatically. Worth a try, don't you think?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1681501 2012-07-19T10:37:24-04:00 2012-09-18T05:12:17-04:00

Puja Madan http://www.huffingtonpost.com/puja-madan/
Food, on the other hand, seldom gets scrutinized to that degree. It enters our body everyday and yet we often marginalize its role in keeping us upbeat, vibrant, healthy and creative. When it comes to intimate relationships, food is, in my opinion, right on top. Here's why:

The food we eat is not just the sum of its parts (proteins, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants) but an energetic whole with very specific energies that we internalize when we consume it. In Ayurveda this life-energy is called prana.

Some foods bring a feeling of lightness, creativity and flexibility while some others help us stay grounded and rooted. Our need for different food-energies varies with the seasons as well. We crave grounding, warming foods (it is time to hibernate after all) in the wintertime and desire lighter, cooler foods in the summer. Someone suffering from a cold in wintertime is likely to benefit from a hot chicken soup to balance the energies of the season and ailment.

Similarly, eating animal protein from factory farms is likely to create feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety because animals experience these emotions while being raised in inhumane conditions. Packaged and processed foods that have been sitting on shelves for months and years, are not likely to give us a sense of vitality or freshness. Consuming them, in fact, might make us feel lethargic or dull. On the other hand, when we grow our own food, participate in community gardens or buy locally, we're likely to feel a greater sense of community and connectedness.

Both Chinese medicine and Ayurveda emphasize the importance of eating seasonal and balanced foods for optimum health, vitality and longevity. Hearty, heavy foods combined with light ones to create focus and flexibility at the same time. This balance goes a long way in maintaining emotional and physical health.

Grounded, relaxed qualities are typically found in root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beetroot, or sweet vegetables like onions and carrots. These vegetables grow close to or under the earth and thus extend that quality of earthiness in us. Other sources of grounding foods are meat, fish and most beans.

Light, creative energies are found in leafy greens like kale, chards. Most grains, legumes and fruit also bring about this sense of lightness. Most of these foods grow higher up, almost reaching for the skies.

What about foods that create feelings of anxiety and stress? Factory farmed animal meats, coffee, sugar and alcohol top the list. While most of these foods perk us up temporarily, they play havoc with the internal equilibrium and blood sugar levels of the body, causing a lot of damage in the long run.

And excellent resource on the subject is a book called Food Energetics: The Spiritual, Emotional, And Nutritional Power Of What We Eat by Steve Gagné

So next time you go grocery shopping, ask how each food will nourish your body and mind. Does your shopping basket have a healthy balance of grounding and light foods? Also note down how you feel a few hours after eating that food. After all, don't you spend time analyzing your date? How it made you feel and whether you are ready for the next one? Was it invigorating or draining? Fun or boring?

Apply the same logic to your food and you'll be surprised to find a faithful partner in your body.

Ready for some serious dating?]]>