DIET & LIFESTYLE
DISCOVER HOW TO HEAL
Written by John Immel,  3 ratings, 18 likes
Customer Reviews5.00 out of 5 stars Sign in to review this article"Thank you for this helpful article. I tend to be in that "rigid, perfectionist" category and to learn that there is a..." - Lynn, The science of life simply asks one question: "How can we have life?" Health obviously plays an important role in living well. Yet everyday we see in our clinic how excessive concern for one's health often leads to disease due to stress, worry, and perfectionism.And how this anxiety is a contraction from, not an opening to, the fullness of life. Orthorexia, or excessive preoccupation with healthy eating, is itself a disease. What then, if not health perfectionism, does practicing the "having life" look and feel like? Ayurveda Cultivates a Perfect Love for LifeInstead of striving for perfect health, Ayurveda practitioners are life-lovers. They "love living things." They may love gardening and growing their own food. Perhaps they own a few chickens or pets. They love children, family, and people. They choose to surround themselves with life, giving their attention to things that are alive. They devote themselves to increasing life and celebrate the birth of life. They preserve life with medicines, encourage others with philosophies that affirm life, and live life fully and completely. They cultivate love of living things as a virtue.Loving and tending livings things is a character choice that affects each and every part of a practitioner's existence. This disposition also brings them into communion with all that is necessary to support life, and gives practitioners an uncanny knack for living well. This sentiment of a society organized in the support of life is eloquently captured in the gospel of John, where Jesus states, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Wholesome Tending to the Self & OthersThe practice of loving life naturally leads to a certain "bio-passionate" lifestyle and personality. The habit of life-loving may be compared to tending a garden. To tend a garden, you regularly water the garden, fertilize it, and let it grow. Tending the garden is simple, peaceful, and quiet. It is a wholesome, structured activity requiring time, patience, daily attention, and a gentle hand. Ayurveda is similarly wholesome, gentle, and patient. Practicing Ayurveda means inviting routine, regularity, and slowness to your life. To love life, one must tend to the body. This includes cultivating joy for all the activities necessary to support one's biology, from cooking, to fitness, to cleanliness, to getting to bed on time. Supporting life also requires pruning some branches every now and then. Yet, a garden is insufficient to give humans all that they need to thrive. Humans are also social beings. In short, life-loving people recognize they need each other to support life well. So the personality of life-loving is not only a habit of self-care, but includes warmth and affection towards those closest to us. Ayurveda works best in a structured environment of mutual support, such as that found within a family. Family is the foundational societal unit for creation and maintenance of life, so the "science of life" flourishes naturally in this context. In India, Ayurveda is practiced by traditional families. It is anything but exotic. Instead, the feeling of Ayurveda is more like going to grandma's house for Thanksgiving. It is not an escape from social norms, but a return home. As you deepen into your practice of Ayurvedic life-loving, health perfectionism naturally transforms into a healthy appreciation for the miracle of life and trust in its natural design. With this change, a spirit of nurturing will replace intemperate diet and health austerity, and rigidity. Ayurveda's gentleness will reassure you that you truly can be flexible with your diet even as you follow some simple guidelines. Let Ayurveda cultivate this wholesome practice as a way of life. You will enjoy the stability and contentment Ayurveda offers. Then, let Ayurveda's generosity extend to those individuals in your family or close circle of friends, even to those that have hurt you. Harness your new strength and resilience, the gifts of Ayurveda, to be an inspiring example of love to those who need it. The joy that results is the true practice of Ayurveda. Inspiration for Life-Loving Activities:
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC
BROWSE SIMILAR ARTICLES BY TOPIC
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language. STUDY AYURVEDA
Questions, Comments & Impressions of 'why ayurveda's #1 priority isn't health...'?Is there something else you'd like to know about 'why ayurveda's #1 priority isn't health...'?(5.00 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 18 likesSign in to review this article
Love this article! This way of looking at Ayurveda truly resonates with me.
Thank you for this helpful article. I tend to be in that "rigid, perfectionist" category and to learn that there is a different path feels like a life line.
Fantastic article John, on putting our own health CARE where it matters most! I love how health care is now shifting into self-directed care and personal participation through lifestyle and focussing on the LOVE of LIFE as the KEY to unlocking health and balance. Thank you so much!
|
SAVE ARTICLE
On MeWe
On Pinterest
On Facebook
On Twitter
On WhatsApp
On Email
BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY
Get Ayurveda's approach to food cravings & emotional eating for balanced weight and health.
Join Joyful Belly.
Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips?Subscribe to our free newsletter!