Ojas is the very essence of a human body, which is the end product of all ingested food. It gives strength to both the immune and reproductive systems, which in return produces the qualities of love and compassion as well as creativity or laziness, attachment and dullness if poorly nourished. According to ayurveda it takes 40 days for each ingested meal to become mature ojas that flows within the general circulation, though certain substances such as milk, saffron, and ghee have a special affinity toward directly supporting ojas shorty after its consumption. Ojas is usually depleted when an individual has undergone tremendous physical exertion, excessive sex, insomnia, or general negative distractions of the mind.

Simple practices that develop strong healthy ojas are as follows:

1) Singing in the shower every morning has a special influence toward rasa dhatu which is the precursor for kapha dosha. Ojas is the essence of kapha dosha which is predominately the elements of earth and water and is created from rasa dhatu. Rasa can be translated as juice, sap, melody, or fluid. Thus as you bath every morning let yourself sing a juicy sappy melody while in the environment of so much water the soul is nurtured and harmonized.

2) Every night before bed drink a glass of warm milk with saffron, if vegan or lactose intolerant substitute almond milk. If you take triphala wait at least one hour to drink. Milk is considered the ojas of a cow and are one of the few animals that derive pleasure from being milked. Milk, saffron and almonds act directly on ojas and help strengthen immunity and induces sound sleep.

Put these into practice if so desired, learn from personal experience from what works and what doesn't then adjust to what your body needs.

It's hard to believe that it's already been over a month since my arrival here in Skagway and it's even more interesting to believe that I've worn a jacket everyday since I've been here considering it simmering at 90-100 degrees in most parts of the world (35-40 degrees for the Celsius users). My days are spent tending to the needs of tourist who infiltrate the 20 blocks of Skagway and I'm constantly reminded that loving your neighbor is easier said than done. One of the most unusual encounters that I've been having on a somewhat regular basis is that certain travelers will say they're from a state such as Kentucky and then imply that its a state in the United States of America. From the time I've spent here thus far it's easy to say that Alaska doesn't feel like the rest of the lower 48 and though Skagway is only 20 miles from the border it's far from feeling like Canada, it's a beast all its own.

The word ayurveda is mostly a mystery to the towns 810 residence, which is a reminder that this great science is still hidden from plenty of the western world. Change is difficult but creating something new in daily life is profound and from simple alterations according to the ayurvedic perspective unique things will unfold. Thus my next seris of blogs will elaborate over simple practices that I have found from my personal experience to be of great benefit. So, stay tuned and for the time being be happy. Hari om and amen.

Here again

Trying to update readers of this blog on life of the past six months in this unusual year will take much time and far too many adjectives to create any kind of enjoyment from reading my thoughts and actions. Thus, I shall highlight the themes and adventures of the first half of 2010 AD in a dense bit-size version of anything interesting that has occurred and holds the possibility of bringing a smile or chuckle to the reader's reality.

After sitting in an attentive but at times mentally delirious half lotus posture before Dr. Vasant Lad and the great teachers at the Ayurvedic Institute I have earned the right to call myself a graduate. New Mexico has a special relationship with the ether unlike any other place I've been, the quirky town of Albuquerque has more opportunities for spiritual expansion than may seem upon first glance. We sat in the Lakota sweat lodge as poured by Mr. Steven Bluehorse, drank ghee and castor oil, purified water with cow dung ash, attempted 1000 rounds of kapalabati on a daily basis, read jyotish charts, and attempted to understand the language of sanskrit all while maintaining the trademark Ayurvedic meal, Kitchari.

During the spring travels took me westward to Sedona and Flagstaff then to San Diego to Encinitas to Los Angeles back south to Carlsbad and returning to Albuquerque on I-10. All places unique in their own right and highly recommended with the exception of L.A if you haven't traveled to them already. After completion of my studies at the Institute I headed north to Santa Fe for a trip down the Rio Grande in a rubber raft with fellow students then continued another 65 miles north to Taos for a visit with Hanumanji at the Neem Karoli Baba Temple and a few days of camping in the Taos ski valley (once again, highly recommended, free and open to the public) before returning to the Querque. After accepting a seasonal job I have transplanted yet again and am calling Skagway, Alaska my temporary site of residence while joining my friend and colleague Jose Pomalles. We have settled in a cozy cabin six miles outside of town with no running water or modern plumbing but spectacular views (pictures possibly coming soon). The excursion into town is either a bike ride through the mountains or the classic hitchhike, which has proven to be the best way to meet the most kindest and interesting people in the area. The sun here never sets or rises and my Floridian bones are slowly adjusting to the chill weather as this is my first summer I've had to wear a jacket in July.

Please check back soon. I'll be posting upcoming workshops on Ayurveda and related subjects. More to come when the stars deem it appropriate. Till then......be well.