In Chinese Meridian Theory there are 5 Elements and each Element corresponds to a time of the year. Now, we are in the season of Earth, the late summer time of year. These are the last few hot days of summer, which will soon be turning into autumn. The Earth Element is about being grounded.
Human civilization relies heavily and increasingly on technology in almost all areas of life. We accept the technological support as the ultimate solution for all the problems of humanity (and the world) - if we go just far enough. Granted, technology makes things easier for us, even on a private plane. For example, it allows people all over the world to be connected in ways that would otherwise be impossible, and for that I am very grateful. Many things would not be possible for us without technological support. But have we not perhaps lost the big picture out of our sight?
Jobs, family, relationships, and social functions often tend to take precedence over our own needs. It is easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day demands of life. Whether we feel a sense of obligation or not, the day can slip away without time to ourselves. It's those days that leave us open to stress, anxiety, and a loss of sense of self. That is why it is important to squeeze a little bit of “me time” into our daily routine. Whether it be five minutes or five hours, the following five are ways you can break away and take precedence over your day.
Do you run from task to task, eating smoothies on-the-go and answering emails during your commute? Are you constantly ticking things off your to-do list and multitasking a mile a minute? Whoaaa, Nelly. Give yourself a break! Get your head out of the stress cloud and your feet back to the ground by allowing yourself to just exist in the area around you. Slow it down. Breathe. Sit back down in your office chair, and feel your feet in your shoes, on the wood floor, or in your rainbow toe socks. Close your eyes. Hear the sounds of the office, the commuter train, or the birds. Feel the breeze.
Hindu and Buddhist thought are based on a different set of assumptions than the Semitic religions. One major difference has to do with the meaning of rituals. A ritual in the Vedic traditions (Hindu and Buddhism) is spiritual because it demands mindfulness. In the developed world especially, rituals often lose their spiritual meaning and decay into meaningless routines.
In order to live a peaceful life, one must learn to find harmony in one’s daily routine. A good way to find harmony is to try and work three important factors into your daily life: meditation, yoga, and a healthy diet. By combining these things, and incorporating them into your life, you are adding a form of balance to your life that will make you feel at ease. There are many benefits that come along with all three of these elements, including relaxation, energy, and good health, so adding them to your schedule each day should be a pleasure, rather than a burden!
While much of the Western World is acquainted with the Ancient practice of Yoga, few know of its deep connection to Ayurveda, the science of life. Rooted in the laws of nature, Ayurveda is the healing branch of yoga and the 5000-year-old medicine of holistic being. The science of Ayurveda draws wisdom from the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Believe it or not, the qualities of these elements appear in a yoga practice. Each asana pose carries an energetic remedy.
Down the stairs of my condominium and across Campus Drive, I walk along Leona Canyon Open Space Preserve. I encounter an expanse of wild radish and California golden poppies. Below, there’s a culvert and a pond lined in cattails, home to a family of mallards whose ducklings hide behind the rushes. I continue down a slope alongside a stream flowing out toward Mills College, and eventually, to the bay.
Holistic Health means to be happy in all areas of life. When we are happy life is easy to deal with. In the state of love, gratitude or joy we feel deeply connected; we regard our life as positive and our outlook on our future is optimistic. When was the last time you truly felt this way? For many of us these states are the exception. Around the clock we are busy coping with physical health, financial insecurity, relationship problems, emotional instability, mental worrying, addictions or spiritual isolation.
The act of meditating can help you rewire your brain in the sense that the more you think positively, the stronger the part of your brain that allows you to experience positivity becomes. And today, tech-enabled meditation is making it easier than ever to learn how to meditate. At the click of a button, you can escape to a place of calm to help be mindful and take a moment to reset your internal dialogue. Whether you want to meditate for five minutes, 10 minutes or 20, there are several technologies out there to help get the job done. Here are five to get you started: