Turmeric

 Ayurveda is a very important part of our daily lives in India as we apply Ayurveda in home remedies and beauty care. It is purely natural and the herbs or spices used in Ayurveda have healing qualities whether applied externally as a paste or consumed internally in a mixture or concoction. For instance there are various spices found in the kitchen that can cure headaches and colds. My favorite must have in the kitchen is Turmeric. A pinch of turmeric powder when used in cooking adds a beautiful colour to the the curries . And a pinch of turmeric when mixed with chick-pea flour and rose water or 2 tbs. yoghurt serves as a face pack as part of your beauty regime. A teaspoon of honey can be added to this face pack. Another face pack can be made with turmeric,sandalwood powder and orange peels. My grandmother would always dry the skins and peels of oranges in the sun which were crushed thereafter to make a powder for face packs. She would always send me a big box of home-made powder of orange peels. It is really interesting to prepare such things from simple things specially when they have miraculous effects on your skin and health.

A teaspoon or two of Turmeric powder boiled with about a cup of milk can provide immense relief from severe congestion,sinus or cough and cold. Of course expecting mothers should consult a doctor regarding this as this combination gives a lot of warmth to the body.

Turmeric is also always used in rituals for purification and auspicious occasions specially weddings as part of beauty care too. Turmeric paste is applied on the skin of the Bride for beauty purpose as well as purification. In Indian weddings , an event is dedicated to the usage of Turmeric and the ceremony is called  "Haldi"  which actually means Turmeric.

A table 4 Organic Food

At a restaurant specializing in organic food...Ise-shi, Mie-Ken Japan  

Such restaurants catering to health are very popular in Japan specially in the countryside...

Lets go Organic ! A Table 4 Organic Food...

MEDITATION

Meditation helps maintain peace and tranquillity in life by eliminating stress. It is so important to meditate at least once in a day to keep the right balance and focus in life. It helps in developing a calm and positive attitude towards life. Meditation helps in maintaining a healthy mind. 

 I have different ways to meditate. At times I concentrate on a favourite oil painting painted by my mother and focus on that. Other times I visualize a place or chant a mantra. Visualization Meditation is even mentioned in the famous Law of Attraction that basically advocates that you attract what you think. You could meditate any way you want. The idea is to relax, absorb the present and free yourself from stress by controlling your mind through meditation. Another method of meditation I have adopted is to concentrate deeply on what I have and focus on that. It is said that Happiness is not having what you want but wanting what you have…Meditation also helps in achieving acceptance, appreciation, contentment and happiness in what you have in your life.

It gives you a sense of power to control the direction of your life through your thoughts.  A mind has a mind of it’s own and thoughts dictate words. Everything is a state of mind. The mind readily makes you believe what it wants you to. So all the more your mind has to be tamed and thoughts have to be given a positive channel. Meditation is a discipline and a healthy exercise for your mind.      

But meditation only works if you have faith in it. As it is, it is said that faith can work miracles. There are various forms of meditation like Guided Meditation or Self Meditation. Today different types of meditation are practiced. Meditation is widely recognized. I believe that according to scholars, the earliest mention of Meditation is found in the 5000 years old Hindu scriptures. It has been a part of many cultures and is interpreted differently in every culture. In some cultures, meditation is done in the form of chanting and singing or dancing at temples and shrines.

There are different postures in meditation. Sitting Meditation is done in an upright seated position cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. When meditating, your eyes could be closed or open depending on how you want to meditate. You could mediate with your eyes open too by concentrating on some object at a distance and this is a form of meditation that I really like.

The way to meditate is to deeply concentrate on something be it God, a place or thing and focus on it for long. In meditating, you can concentrate on a sound, object, breath or visualization… The correct mode of meditation will divert your mind from everything difficult and stressful. It will release your tired worn out spirit from the daily challenges of modern life.

You could perhaps burn incense or play soft music to create an atmosphere of spirituality around you which will enable you to meditate. Incense burning brings inner peace and fills the mind with inner calm and spirituality. Incenses are therapeutic. They uplift your mood.

Learn to be alone with yourself to explore yourself spiritually and emotionally…to explore your strengths and weaknesses. Meditation helps combat weaknesses of any kind through deep contemplation. By meditating serenity prevails in mind and your mind becomes powerful. In between the silences one finds truth and gets in touch with one’s inner self spiritually.

 AYURVEDA

Ayurveda (Ancient Medical Science of India) plays an important part in connecting other countries to India. This spiritual knowledge was one of the most valuable treasures of ancient Indians and till today continues to show its miracles. Ayurvedic medicines have proved highly effective for more than 3000 years now and still do not cease to reveal its powers.


People from other cultures are deeply attracted to this oldest system of medicines that India holds, as it heals effectively without side effects.


Some who are still strangers to this most developed and ancient science of herbal medicines may find this method outdated and not applicable to today’s world. This may be because they still consider Ayurveda to be only a traditional approach but most countries have realized the necessity of adding this spiritual approach to therapy.


I feel that Ayurveda is needed more than ever now as today’s world is brimming with stress and self-destruction. Ayurveda is required to relieve the tensions and effects of today’s society on peoples’ daily lives. Ayurveda can be a powerful instrument in healing this world… There are two levels of healing in Ayurveda- the physical and the mental. The physical healing is through herbs and the mental and psychological level is through ‘mantras’ and meditation. Aroma therapy and herbal oils also branch out of Ayurveda and calm one’s mind. They are now commonly used in spas in other countries as well.


Meditation maintains the balance of peace in one’s life and attitudes towards things… The world outside India too is realizing that Ayurveda is definitely a necessity to cure emotional imbalances followed by or accompanying physical ailments. By adopting Ayurveda, other countries have started relating more to India and are now connecting more to each other too ,because of which a global culture is emerging. The world of ‘Yoga’ and ‘Ayurveda’ are uniting people of various cultures to form a unique culture of it own that transcends everything.


Ayurveda may have originated in India but in the contemporary world too, it has formed its place in everyone’s hearts irrespective of their differences in cultures. We must transcend cultures, and countries must share such divine healing knowledge. India has shown the power of sealing the cracks of cross-cultural differences around the globe by uniting people through its gifts of 'Yoga' and 'Ayurveda'. Such sharing of knowledge can only save humanity and remove barriers between countries and people.