The Vrttis - Our Consciouness

 

 

 

 

The vrttis make impressions upon our minds. These vrttis are ways in which we understand consciousness. Consciousness is a series of impressions. What we do with these impressions is up to us. Impressions come from correct knowledge, incorrect, imagination or delusion, sleep and dreams and from our memory.

These five thought forms must be controlled if we are to quiet the mind so that we can experience inner peace. We cannot completely empty the mind. Emptying the mind is a thought process within itself. So we seek to quiet the mind. But how can we control these vrttis? It is easy to say control the mind, but in reality the mind seems to be controlling us!

Nothing is achieved without practice. That is why we are here today – to practice yoga and attempt to control the mind, by finding balance, being flexible, maintaining our strength and discovering peace.

 

If you have attempted to control your mind, you have successfully practiced yoga today. It is not so much about controlling your mind, as it is about consciously being aware of the thoughts in your mind and then attempting to quiet them so you can find a moment of peace. Nothing is achieved without practice.

Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com

 

The Five Vrittis – the turning and fluctuations of the mind that affect our consciousness

The Five Vrittis – the turning and fluctuations of the mind that affect our consciousness

1.     Correct knowledge

2.     Incorrect knowledge

3.     Verbal delusion or imagination

4.     Sleep

The fifth is the memory. This is when we develop a mental file of something that has happened and we bring it back into our consciousness. Memories create impressions on the mind that come back when we want them to and sometimes even when we don’t want them. Memories come in two ways; dreams bring memories to the surface, and when we daydream or are stimulated by something that takes us to a past event. Both are impressions on the mind that slowly descend to the bottom of our mind and only come to the surface when rekindled.

The vrittis are thought forms that must be controlled if we are to find inner peace. How do we control the mind when it seems the mind is controlling us?

Practice and non- attachment.

The vrittis – our thoughts. They can bring us pleasure and they can bring us pain. However, remember that which brings pleasure can also be painful and that which bring pain can also bring pleasure. Carefully examine your thoughts and always come from a place of truth. This will bring you peace.

Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com

Heath Tip - Holiday Cheer and a Glow for the Skin

In one study, German researchers gave women a half cup of extra-flavonoid enriched cocoa every day. In just 6 weeks skin was smoother, better hydrated and less sun sensitive. And 12 weeks did even more. All thanks to the skin-boosting antioxidants in cocoa, called flavonoids. But remember that’s dark chocolate and the darker the better. Here’s a great chocolate dessert recipe from my cook book: Recipes for Health, Sex, Happiness and Love. This is a great healthy drink that is low in calories and high in antioxidants.


Spirited Orange Cocoa for 1 cup
1 - 12  ounce coffee mug
2 tablespoons of dark cocoa mix (try Essential Living organic cocoa mix) in a 12 ounce cup of hot water.

Mix well. Add a splash (1-2 tablespoon) of Grand Marquette or Patron Orange Liquor (can be found at BevMO –in stores and online $9.99).

Shave about 1 teaspoon of 85% organic chocolate and 1 teaspoon of grated fresh orange skin and sprinkle both on top of the cocoa… enjoy! (About 120 calories per serving) – don’t want to use liquor; squeeze a tablespoon of fresh orange juice.

For a party – use 2 tablespoons of cocoa per 12 ounces of water and make a carafe, (coffee pot) full of the cocoa mix; add 1 tablespoon of orange liquor per 12 ounces of cocoa).

Serve in small espresso cups with chocolate and orange grated on top and a side of vanilla biscotti.

Cheers and may your skin glow!

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A recipe for Happiness – Feed your noodle some pasta

Pasta has gotten such a bad rap when it comes to eating healthy. It is seen as the culprit in weight gain. It’s not Pasta’s fault – pasta doesn't make you gain weight. Eating too many calories and not expending enough energy is what causes weight gain.

Semolina pasta, the kind most of us buy is made from durum wheat and is almost always enriched with iron and vitamin B complex. Whole wheat pasta is made from whole grains and although not fortified it is a  good source of fiber. Organic spinach pasta is rich in nutrients. Or you can choose a pasta made of soy, spelt or brown rice for those allergic to wheat. Pasta comes in many varieties all packed with good nutrition. Most pasta dishes are made with fresh vegetables, lean meats and fish making it doubly nutritious. So why the bad rap on pasta?

Pasta is carbohydrates and carbohydrates are seen as the enemy when it comes to weight gain and weight loss. However, we need carbohydrates to maintain our health, and to get a well balanced diet. Carbohydrates provide glucose which is a fuel that is necessary for good brain functioning.

Glucose is the form of sugar that travels through your blood stream fueling the cells of your brain.. The only form of glucose we get from animal products is from dairy. Because neurons cannot store glucose they depend upon the bloodstream (us eating carbohydrates) to supply them.

Too much refined sugar (here’s the problem with carbohydrates) can actually deprive the brain of glucose, depleting energy and compromising the brain’s ability to think and remember. Mental activity takes a lot of power. In fact, about 400 calories of what we consume each day goes to powering the brain.

Complex carbohydrates slowly release glucose into the blood stream allowing for balanced energy. Refines sugar is like a shot of energy that spikes and drops quickly. The best complex carbohydrates are those that are low on the glycemic scale which measures how quickly blood sugar increased after eating a particular food.

Special K has a 54 rating while linguini has a 50 rating! It’s not the pasta that makes you dizzy and lazy…it’s the stuff we add to it!

So, if pasta is good for memory and brain functioning and it doesn't make you fat, you should be feeling really happy about pasta.  Energy and a sharp memory makes most people feel good, young and happy. But remember like everything in life it’s all about moderation. Eat a lot of anything and you’ll throw your body-mind out of balance.

 So, next time your noodle says “I’m tired, feeling down and my memory is slipping,” make a healthy pasta meal and get happy!

Doctor Lynn

http://www.doctorlynn.com