Ojas-the sap in your life.

Ojas (pronounced oh-jus) is a Sanskrit word which literally means "vigor" or "life sap". According to the principles of Ayurveda, it is the essential energy of the
body which can be equated with the "fluid of life". Those who practice Ayurveda
say that Ojas is the sap of one's life energy which, when sufficient, is equated
with immunity and a cheerful mind and soul that is enlightened with happiness, when deficient, results in weakness, fatigue and ultimately disease.

Ojas  is the ultimate refined result of digestion, metabolism, absorption and
assimilation. The substance that connects the mind to the body and
consciousness, it is a wholesome biochemical substance that nourishes all body
tissues and has a direct influence on the nature and quality of physical, mental
and emotional life. Ojas' primary location is the heart, from where it
circulates to and pervades the entire body.
 
Ojas is collected from the body's seven tissues - plasma, blood, muscle, adipose tissue
(fat), bone, bone marrow, and reproductive tissue (semen and ovum) - by the
influence of enzymes (Agnis), similar to how a bee collects honey from the
essence of many flowers. The purest substance in the universe and omnipresent in
the human being, ojas is responsible for higher states of consciousness, purity
of thoughts, perfect health, positivity in feelings, love, joy, better immunity,
longevity, intelligence, creativity, memory, bliss, and thought process. When an
individual's inner consciousness awakens spontaneously, ojas increases. In a
nutshell, ojas is the sap of the entire physiology and sustains the life of an
individual.

Why does Ojas deplete ?
All the factors that cause the depletion of Ojas are excessive sex, abuse of  drugs and alcohol,
sedentary life style, loose talking, loud music, insufficient rest, worries,
anxiety, unsatisfied desires, jealousy, lust for worldly comforts, fear,
cheerlessness, excessive sleeping, daytime sleeping, lack of exercise, over
confidence, over eating, desire to rule over others. In short all the things,
which disturb the daily life style of a person, may lead to the  depletion of Ojas.
 
Along with eating a balancing diet, one can increase ojas in a variety of ways. General guidelines are to love
yourself and others, live a healthy lifestyle, and always take time to appreciate the joys in life.
Other ways to increase ojas include: 
Laugh and smile a lot
Take time to relax 
Make the time before bedtime quiet and non-stimulating 
Sensory control, TV, internet etc.                           
Meditate regularly
Spend time in nature
Exercise your creativity             
Offer your gifts to others                   
Follow your hearts passion                        
Engage in physical activity                           
Worship of the Divine

Ojas building foods; milk, almonds, dates or raisins, ghee, acia berries, kale, saffron, raw ginger, berries, pomagranate, nuts.
 

Here is a drink to build your Ojas...
OJAS DRINK
Use whole milk. Almond or coconut milk are an option if you have sensitivity to dairy.
Boil 1 cup of whole milk with 3 dates and 10 peppercorns. Boil and cool three times and then remove the peppercorns. Place milk and dates in the blender and add: 2T oil (ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil), 1 pinch of cinnamon, cumin and cardamom. Add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey and 10 large nuts or seeds. Blend well, drink on and empty stomach and don't eat for 2 hours after you drink. Also drink 2 hours before you eat a meal.
OM Shanti

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