Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

– I live in America, and I have been facing a difficulty in breathing from my left nostril since 2 years now, and since last April, my left nostril was totally blocked. I couldn’t relate to what was happening, but in January 2014, my doctor said that it was not normal to have polyps in one nostril only, and it could be something really dangerous, like a type of benign tumour which in rarest cases, can be malignant too.  I just could not believe it, as I have always been a healthy person. I became extremely restless and tensed due to this whole situation, but then I took to my last and final resort – I started doing my short Kriya, which I had not done since a long time, and contacted the Art of Living centre faculty in my area and started doing my long Kriya as well. As usual, the Art of Living teachers helped me in strongly facing my situation to a great extent. Meanwhile, I somehow felt very much at ease through this whole chaotic situation, as though there was divine...

The first miracle I experienced with Guruji was during my first Sudarshan Kriya in my Part 1 Course. I'd had an accident in 1998 where I had fractured two bones on my right knee.  They had healed well but I had been told by the doctor to avoid sitting on the floor. But being a nursery school teacher I could not avoid sitting on the floor so I had started having a problem with my right leg.If I sat down I could not get up without support.When I joined the Part 1 Course in 2000, I was a bit apprehensive and was under the impression that I couldn’t meditate. But wonder of wonders after the first Sudarshan Kriya, I was out for almost 35-40 minutes. I was told that was Samadhi meditation. After the Kriya, before I went into meditation,I felt a person’s leg touch mine. All the 45 people in that course were unknown to me. After meditation, as I opened my eyes, a young girl comes up to me and asks me if I have hurt my right knee as Guruji had asked her to heal it. I was shocked...

This was way back in September 2011, when a silly conversation between two friends introduced me to a world of unknown. The conversation went something like this: Namita: “Prads, why don’t you do the Art of Living (AOL) Part 1 course.  You do this course now, and since I am in Bangalore, you come here in December and we will do the Advanced course at the Ashram. It will be amazing!” Pradnya (Me): “Ok Nami :)” That was it. I googled the website of Art of Living, found two phone numbers, called up and signed up for the course. Out of the two teachers, I selected the one whose voice appealed to me. Thank God for my madness, otherwise I wouldn’t have met the very wonderful Aruna Aunty, my Teacher! That was the beginning of my spiritual journey. I got introduced to a life that has Sudarshan Kriya, Satsangs, Seva, Knowledge and GURUJI 🙂 All this while I had just known Sri Sri as the founder of AOL, but now, He had become my personal Guru. All I can say is that I liked Him, l...

For my marriage I had been exploring the relationship with a guy. We had never met, it was a long distance thing. I always felt something is wrong but i could never put a finger to it.  I would dismiss my doubts . However I noticed some higher power never let me meet the guy . So many times we had planned to meet in a span of 1 year but everytime something would happen and we would not be able to meet . How we never met even after he booked flight tickets is just another guru story. It was so clear that Gurudev doesn't want me to meet Him.  Anyway a year passed and after enough time wasted behind the guy , I lost patience and on my birthday after morning sadhna , I prayed to Gurudev- is this man good for me? Will i get married to Him? I want to get a clarity once & for all.  Please come in my dreams or my friend's dream and tell me straight up. (There is a particular friend in whose dream Gurudev often visits) . I also prayed that also wish me in the dream...

I joined Art of Living in 2001. After the course, I started practicing the Kriya daily but in 2003, both my kidneys got damaged and then I had to start dialysis at least twice a week and sometimes also thrice.  Dialysis really is a very tiring thing because them I could not eat or drink, I would keep resting and many a times I would throw up. We were in search for a perfect match for the kidney. Few years passed and then I developed a brain problem where I would faint at regular intervals. Even when we got the perfect match, I could not get operated because of this brain problem. Once when I was cooking, I fainted and the vessels from the gas stove fell on me. I was quickly rushed to the hospital. When I regained consciousness, I realized that I had got badly burnt. The doctor told me that the wounds were so bad, that they would not heal unless I do a plastic surgery. Later, when I went for my kidney transplant surgery, the doctor sent me back home because my liver had ...

Kalanchoe pinnata Syn. Bryophyllum pinnatum (common Names: cathedral bells, air plant, life plant, miracle leaf, and Goethe plant, Pathar chatta etc.) – Crassulaceae, a succulent perennial native to Madagascar.  It is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas. Young plants grow from the margins of old leaves. Leaves are thick, soft, juicy; basal leaves are simple but upper one become 3-5- foliate pinnate, margin slightly serrated. The palt is used in various ways. Forexample thepaste of the herb is applied on forehead to alleviate headache; leaf paste is applied externally to cure cuts and wounds; fresh sap of plant is used for eye diseases. A product of the the palant ‘Regenerating Day Cream’ a multiherbal medicine enhances skin’s tone and elasticity, helping to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. Five patents were found on the medicinal applications of Kalanchoe mainly as an anti obesity medication.  Ref...

After studying red bean and green mung plants, you might be a bit curious about what the chickpea plant looks like. 🐥🫛The chickpea or Bengal gram ( Cicer arietinum) is an edible legume and an annual herb.  🌿The plant grows to between 20 and 50 cm high and has feathery, pinnately compound leaves on either side of the stem, with small soft leaflets. 🌸The flowers are white with purple veins or sometimes the petals themselves are purplish. One seedpod contains two or three peas/ seeds. 🐥🫛The seed is green when young and matures to a beige or brown colour when dried . The young green seeds are consumed raw or cooked and the dried seeds are cooked as part of many Middle Eastern and Indian dishes like the Hummus and Chana Masala to name a few. ❤️‍🩹🥗HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHICKPEA Chickpea is a rich source of vegetarian protein . It is also rich in folate, fibre and vitamins of the B group as well as calcium and magnesium. It is believed...

Climbing Oleander (Strophanthus gratus) is a woody tropical liana that produces large showy clusters of soft pink flowers with burgundy throats. The flowers have a delightful rose fragrance and appear on the tips of branches. Despite its beautiful rose scent, the pretty Climbing Oleander is not as friendly as it appears. The plant contains high concentration of cardiac glycosides, which are organic compounds that increase the output force of the heart. Ouabain is the main glycoside found in the seed, it is odorless but very bitter and extremely toxic. Extracts containing ouabain have long been used by Somali tribesmen and other groups to poison hunting arrows. The plant has shiny, leathery, olive green, oblong to elliptical, glabrous leaves. The leaves are used to treat gonorrhea and constipation, as well as applied externally to treat snakebites and to cure fever. The root is said to be an aphrodisiac. Most notably the seeds contain the ...

Datura innoxia Syn.: D. meteloides, D. guayaquilensis (Common name: Datura, Pricklyburr, Recurved thorn-apple, Downy thorn-apple, Safed dhatura) - Solanaceae,  a perennial or annual shrubby plant native of South America. It is now naturalized in India. In traditional medicine, it is a reputed drug in the treatment of rabid dog-bites and poisonous insect bites. The dried leaves and flowering tops are known for their narcotic and anti-spasmodic properties.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Green Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) is an important food crop native to India and popular over South East Asia as well. It is an annual vine with trifoliate leaves and yellow flowers. The seed pods are pubescent and radiate out from a central point like a fan. Each pod contains 7-8 seeds. Its sprouts are believed to be a health food with many health benefits including protein and vitamin B rich content along with anti-cancerous properties. Reference  https://www.facebook.com/myplantdiaries?mibextid=ZbWKwL Plants of Singapore

Plumbago auriculata Syn.: Plumbago capensis (Common name: Plumbago, Cape Leadwort, Nila chitrak) –  Plumbaginaceae, an evergreen shrub with sky blue flowers. The flowers are borne in rounded terminal clusters and look quite a bit like phlox flowers. A native to South Africa and Mozambique. The specific epithet auriculata means "with ears", referring to the shape of the leaves. Plumbago is used traditionally to treat warts, broken bones and wounds. It is taken as a snuff for headaches and as an emetic to dispel bad dreams. Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Medicinal_Plants Terminalia arjuna (commonly known as Arjun in India) - Combretaceae, an evergreen tree and considered a tree for healthy heart i.e. a cardioprotective plant.  The stem bark of the plant, which is generally used for medicinal purposes, is described in Ayurvedic terms as being acrid, sweet, cooling, styptic, tonic, antidysenteric, and febrifuge in nature. Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Hedychium spicatum (Kapoor kachri, Shati, Karchur) - Zingiberaceae, a rhizomatous, fragrant leafy herb with robust stem. Rhizomes have strong aromatic odour and bitter.  Rhizome is aromatic, acidic, bitter, pungent, carminative, stomachic, stimulant, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory. It is useful in asthma, bronchitis, vomiting, dyspepsia, and inflammations. One of the most important plant in Ayurveda. Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

🐍 🫛 Chinese long bean, Yardlong Bean or Snake bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) is a climbing annual plant from the family Fabaceae.  🐍🫛You can spot the beans of this plant in most wet market stalls here.  🌿The plant can be identified by its leaves that are dark green, trifoliate with 3 leaflets, where the first two leaflets are asymmetrical while the terminal leaflet is symmetrical. 🐍🫛The beans start growing after 2 months of sowing seeds. They require full sun, moderate water and well drained soil for optimal growth. 🐍🫛Grown mainly for its edible green pods it is a major food crop of South East Asia. The young succulent pods are crisp and have a distinct beany flavour unlike the sweet flavour of green beans. These pods are consumed fresh or cooked. Reference  https://www.facebook.com/myplantdiaries?mibextid=ZbWKwL Plants of Singapore

Chapter 10 - The Eight Limbs Of Yoga  Day 92  They thin down the curtain around the light. You are the light, but you don't know this because there is a thick curtain around you, an iron curtain. Pranayama thins down that curtain, and makes you more transparent so that you are able to see that you are light. This is the benefits of pranayam. And then there is another benefit, The mind develops this ability to stay at any one point in the body, to say on any one thing. It gains the ability to intend. Until then, there had been no intention. You were just like a moving cloud.  You had no intention at all. Now with pranayama, there is clarity and you are able to have an intention and a direction. That is why you will notice, after a good pranayama, your mind is clearer, steadier and calmer. You are able to feel your body. You are able to even meditate. The mind is used to clinging to objects of the senses.  Guided meditations give it something different to c...

Chapter 10 - The Eight Limbs Of Yoga  Day 91  It is natural to obstruct the flow of breath in an asana. Patanjali said that it is obstructing the natural flow of your breath because it is not natural at all. You have made your breath very unnatural.  So whatever you feel is natural, is not actually natural. We have to return to the natural way of breathing. We do this by gati, breaking its movement. We break its movement consciously by breathing deep, long and subtle, with counts and by keeping our attention on different parts of the body.  In just one sutra, Patanjali has described all the pranayamas. Breathe in, hold, breathe out and hold - with different counts and with attention on various parts of the body. That is all. Most of the pranayamas are there in one sentence; in one sutra.  But there's one more pranayama, which happens automatically. When all the thoughts and ideas are cleared from the mind, there is a natural pranayama. It throws out ...

Solanum melongena, known as ‘aubergine’ in Europe, ‘brinjal’ in Asia, and Africa, ‘eggplant’ in USA and Canada (derived from the egg-like shape of the fruit of some varieties).  The other known names are melongen, garden egg, and guinea squash. Brinjal is native to India and a common man’s vegetable. India is the second largest producer of brinjal in the world, after China. India produces 83.47 lakh tonnes of brinjal and this accounts for 25 % of the world's brinjal production.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

🫛🌿The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), is a tropical herbaceous legume plant from the family Fabaceae, native to South and South East Asia. 🫛🌿Winged bean is widely recognised by consumers and farmers in South Asia and South East Asia for its variety of uses and disease resistance. Winged bean is nutrient-rich and all parts of the plant are edible. The leaves can be eaten like spinach, flowers can be used in salads, tubers can be eaten raw or cooked, and seeds can be used in similar ways as the soybean. The winged bean is an underutilised species but has the potential to become a major multi-use food crop. 🫛🌿It is also known by many other common names like cigarillas, goa bean, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, manila bean, princess bean, asparagus pea, and dragon bean. References: Wikipedia Reference  https://www.facebook.com/myplantdiaries?mibextid=ZbWKw...