Satya: Speak Your Truth

"Only one thing is worse than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it." Naomi Wolf

For some of us, we were not able to speak our truth when we were young. For others, no matter how old we were, we could not speak our truth for fear there would be consequences. And, still for others, knowing our truth takes some excavation because we were not allowed to know our truth or it lived as that small glowing flame in the cave of the heart or that feeling that there was something more or else. Those lucky enough to have family that supported and coaxed their truths from them -- hurray for you! 

While I come from a place where cash-register honesty was important other truths, truths that revealed people's flaws or inappropriate behaviors, were not to be shared. So I learned to talk around the truth even though I've always been direct, and some might even say abrasive. 

The second Yama (ethical standard) in Patanjali's Ashtanga (8 limbs of) yoga, not to be confused with the type of yoga Ashtanga created by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is satya. Satya is translated to mean honesty and truthfulness.


Yoga Sutra 2.36, satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam, says that, "when we are honest and truthful in our actions, thoughts and words, our will is fulfilled." In my words, when we live our truth, what we desire flows to us. 

You may think of some flaws here--like people who have lots of money from dishonesty actions and words to name one. Remember though that the key to practicing yoga is to lessen our suffering. If we are honest, abundance of what we desire flows to us and our suffering is lessened because we are on OUR right and true path.

I'll leave you with a poem:

ON TALKING By Kahlil Gibran

There are those among you who seek the talkative through fear of being alone.
The silence of aloneness reveals to their eyes their naked selves and they would escape.
And there are those who talk, and without knowledge or forethought reveal a truth, which they themselves do not understand.
And there are those who have the truth within them, but they tell it not in words.
In the bosom of such as these the spirit dwells in rhythmic silence.

As always, I would love to hear about your thoughts and experience. Truth be told.

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” ~Naomi Wolf - See more at: http://www.davidji.com/blog-2/page/8/#sthash.oUm0tqlc.dpuf

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” ~Naomi Wolf - See more at: http://www.davidji.com/blog-2/page/8/#sthash.oUm0tqlc.dpuf

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” ~Naomi Wolf - See more at: http://www.davidji.com/blog-2/page/8/#sthash.oUm0tqlc.dpuf

Does Being Grateful Save You Money?

Two years ago around Thanksgiving, I decided to be thankful for something each day. What I thought would be a challenge, turned out to be a new way of life. I posted to FB each day what I was grateful for. I did this for 30 days. The posting stopped yet I continued with the practice for a year.

I'm not sure why I stopped consciously being grateful especially when the practice was so fruitful. I became aware of the gifts associated with my practice--driving more slowly than I'd like because of a slow driver only to pass a police officer up ahead, getting angry at my teenagers for being teenagers and then realizing how blessed I was for the lessons they've taught me (patience, unconditional love, generosity, etc.) And the list goes on.

Recently, I joined Erin Geesaman-Rabke's, "Embodied Gratitude Project," a practice of cultivating gratitude over a 5-week period. Read more. I am having an opportunity to feel and be my gratefulness on various levels--body, mind and spirit. I have again begun to write down what I am grateful for although now I am not posting it. I am also focused on finding something to be grateful for when I am not feeling very grateful. Thank you Erin.

According to Dr. Jeremy Dean and his article, The Emotion That Boosts Self-Control and Saves You Money, a recent study suggests that when we cultivate a state of gratitude, we are better able to control our spending urges and therefore save money. Read more. We also become more conscious of what we are buying. 

Being grateful can also boost your health. Many studies report how being grateful increases our level of happiness and therefore our wellness. Read more.

So the point, let's be grateful for what we have. If we're not, let's change what we have. There are so many way to express our gratitude. I'd love to hear about practices that you do to be grateful.

Soothing Spring Ayurveda Style

Though we have 4 seasons here in parts of the US and other parts of the world, Ayurveda generally considers three. They are based on the qualities of the seasons which are most closely linked to the doshas or constitutional principles. 

The three doshas- vata, made of the elements air and space (also known as ether) has cold, dry and windy qualities and depicts Fall to Winter; kapha, made of the elements earth and water has moist, dense, and sluggish qualities and defines winter to spring; and pitta, made up of fire and water, has sharp, hot, and oily qualities which depicts spring into summer. There are other qualities and I am simplifying, yet I think you will all get the picture.

In Utah we are completely into Spring and will soon move into Summer. We experienced the waking up from winter, the necessary cleansing and now we make sure that we are prepared to move into a hot, dry Summer. Of course, all of my suggestions will depend upon your personal constitution and your general health.  Take this test to find out.

What can you do?

• eat locally grown,organic foods that are coming into season
• my sprouts are going crazy right now as are my son's strawberries
• eat lighter than in the winter and now you can eat cooler foods (like salads)
• continue with your morning and evening routines although some of you will wake up earlier with the sun and stay up a bit later
• begin with warm water with lemon, brush teeth, scrape tongue
• neti pot (nasal wash) with sterile, gently salted water helps to lessen allergic reactions
• be sure to still use your oil in your nose, eyes, gums, and on your skin
• dry brush the skin starting at the extremities and working your way in before oiling to slough off dead skin
• get outside (with sun protection-hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• exercise-swim, bike, walk, hike 
• continue with a breathing practice, keeping any stronger kriyas in the mornings
• asana can be a bit more vigorous if appropriate for you (halasana for digestion)
  
• spend time with family and friends
• drink lots of fluid
• although you may stay up a bit later, consider settling down when the sun goes down
• think about disconnecting from electronics an hour before sleep
• continue to meditate because it's important to still spend quiet, quality inner time with yourself
• enjoy

I'm always interested to hear what my readers are doing so feel free to let me know.

Dandelion: Miracle or Menace

Healers have known for centuries what many are coming to believe today about dandelions.

While many find dandelions to be a nuisance, healers have known for centuries the health benefits of dandelions. Because it's Spring and dandelions are plentiful less the chemicals many put on their lawns, I thought I share some great things about dandelions as well as some tea ideas.

Health Benefits: 

• purifies blood
• settles digestion 
• prevents gall stones
•  anti-oxidant 
• lower blood sugar 
• may help fight off cancer 
• help with leukemia 
• limits neuron damage in brain 
• more iron and protein than spinach 
• contains 535% of USDA recommended Vitamin K

According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein. Read more

• The roots are wonderful as a liver cleanser, but we're not talking about the roots today.

Dandelion Tea-Yummy Hot or Cold

• Pick dandelion leaves from the base of the leaf. Make sure to find a place where there is little to no vehicles usage; plants do take in the CO (Carbon Monoxide) vehicles put out. 
• You can choose to use the flowers as well, with or without the leaves.
• You can use them fresh or dry them. If I want to save some for later, I either stick them in the dehydrator or just leave them out. It's dry enough in Utah that within a couple of hours they are ready to place in an air tight container. Make sure they are completely dry or they will mold.
•  If I'm using fresh greens, I put a handful in a mug (after cleaning and chopping them), pour in some hot water and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Drink hot or cold.
•  If using dried leaves, I use a tablespoon or so and follow the same procedure.
•  Most of the time, I drink it as it is. Sometimes I add a bit of honey and lemon.
• Don't let it steep too long. It will be bitter.   
• I also use dandelion leaves in salads, soups, smoothies and any other place I use greens. You may want to blanch them in boiling water for 10 seconds before adding them to a salad to get rid of the strong bitter flavor especially if the leaves are bigger and older. 

 Please share any exciting recipes or benefits that I missed!!

 Sources: 

Dr. Mercola

Natural News

The Leaf Lady