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Ayurveda and Shamanism

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As an Ayurveda & Shamanism Practitioner, I’ve been asked how they go together.

Shamanic Roots of Ayurveda?

I’m quite confident that the sages who originally received the teachings of Ayurveda did so from the unseen world. Shamanism is an ancient tradition throughout most of the world…we all have shamanic ancestors. Hunter gatherers seem to have tuned into Nature (as the Ayurveda Sages did) to know what was safe to eat, where to find their food, and how to heal those with disease.

Subtle causes of disease addressed

Ayurveda makes it clear that most disease starts with disturbances of the mental, emotional, and/or spiritual bodies. Shamanic healing follows time-tested processes to strengthen our spiritual energies to repel such assaults. And when that doesn’t happen, shamanism give us ways to repair the energetic template. It does not require a person to subscribe to spiritual practices outside their own religion.

Connecting to our Highest

Shamanism is best practiced as self care on a daily basis. It is about connecting to the highest in ourselves and in Nature, just as Ayurveda is. Simple ceremonies focus us on the forces of our lives. Inner journeys can connect with the Lower World of Nature, the Middle World of Human, and the Upper World of Spirit and Soul. Our spiritual life is then based on our personal direct experience, rather than belief in what others tell us.

Progressing through our Experiences

Shamanism realizes the blessing of being incarnated here on Earth and facing our challenges here to learn what we came here to learn and progress – the experience of the senses, responsibility, respect, and Love. Journeying is much like a guided meditation, while ceremonies abound in both Vedic and Shamanic realms.

Connecting

Through journeys we can tune into ourselves and others on a subtle level. Slowing down enough and being quiet enough we can hear the wise spirits of plants to support the physical beings. The Spirits of the Elements can speak to us – guiding everyday choices. We can meet our Atman or other spiritual beings in the Upper World. All this I have done.

This is why I am sharing shamanism with people – it has strengthened my life and feels in accord with using Ayurveda techniques to support them.

For More about on-going shamanic experience group

For a Basic Shamanic Journey

Ancestor Season

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Ancestor season is now. So many cultures find the veils to be thin between the land of living and those gone from Earth in this season. From the roots of Halloween in Europe to Mexican Day of the Dead to Hindu Pitru Paksha – all are about honoring those who have died before us, especially our beloved ancestors.

We can remember them.

One simple way is to make an Ancestor Altar. With photos, objects reminiscent of them, even their favorite foods and drinks, we can create space to remember.

We can honor them.

One tradition is to deck their graves with flowers and decorations. Another is to contribute or work for a charity in their name. And certainly we may send our best love and wishes to them, to sustain them in the Other World they are now in.

We can commune with them.

Whether you might use a Ouiji board or go on a shamanic inner journey to the land of the dead, you can still contact you ancestors , now in spirit form. They may give you a sign, showing up symbolically to you in the form of an animal, a rainbow, or finding a coin like those they often gave you when you were a child. Your love for them is a pathway between you.

However you choose to relate to your ancestors, this is the prime time for it. Know that you are the result of hundreds and hundreds of ancestors, known and unknown. And they can be there for you now.

For more about Shamanic Journeying contact Terra.

About Menopause and Hot Flashes. . .

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This audio interview of Terra, hosted by Karen Spies of THE EVOLVING WOMEN PODCAST, is a brief but informative conversation about menopause.

Hear about Terra’s origins as an Ayurveda Practitioner, some facts about Menopause, and explanation about Hot Flashes and what can help.

Enjoy it Here!

If you want a WiseWomanhood class about menopause, try GRACEFUL MENOPAUSE WITH AYURVEDA or IS THIS MENOPAUSE? KNOW IT TO BETTER SURF IT

Thriving Through “the Change”

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Perimenopause, the Change, is like adolescence in reverse. And we all remember the wonder and craziness of adolescence. So don’t be surprised when you hit your late 40s and life gets more life-y for you.

It’s not written in stone that the Change be uncomfortable and mentally disorienting. By learning more about it and preparing it can be a smoother ride.

The Change is usually a gradual process – unless you have a hysterectomy. Then it comes on fast and furious. It happens when your ovaries no longer respond to hormones telling them to develop eggs so well.

Patterns of Perimenopause

Some women’s bodies respond by creating more and more hormones, stimulating more and more eggs to develop, making more and more estrogen. This sometimes means they get super periods – lots of blood and cramps may ensue. They might bleed every two weeks. Anger may ensue. A Pitta problem according to Ayurveda.

Other women have lighter and further apart periods. The ovaries are already retiring. Estrogen is already dropping. Anxiety and forgetfulness may accompany this Vata problem.

Then some women just stop bleeding. No biggie. This is more likely with Kapha women.

How Ayurveda Helps

Ayurveda can help you by balancing your Pitta, Vata, and Kapha BEFORE (best) or during the Change to allow the natural transition to happen more gracefully. Diet, herbs, and lifestyle make a big difference. And symptoms can be met with something besides artificial hormones.

After the Change, a program of rejuvenation can be instituted to keep you at your peak through the menopausal years.

Learn more about the Change and how to surf its ups and down in these WiseWomanhood classes:

Is This Menopause? Know it to Better Surf It. Perfect if you’re new to Ayurveda.

Graceful Menopause with Ayurveda First presented to the Colorado Ayurvedic Medicine Association, so some Ayurvedic understanding helps.

You might want an Initial Consultation with Terra Rafael CAP to get a personalized plan to prepare / surf your perimenopause or menopause.

Or if you’re an Ayurveda Practitioner and want to increase your knowledge about the Change time or consult about your clients – sign up for Mentoring with Terra

Why People Are Defying Logic And Having Big Parties And Gatherings During A Pandemic! And Some Personal Solutions…

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The Situation:

Under pandemic, we have become deprived of the crucial neurochemical, oxytocin.  This hormone is important for reproduction – from orgasm, to childbirth, for bonding and breastfeeding.  It is also crucial as a social reward for behaviors that can lead to passing on our DNA – hugs, touching, being in a like-minded group, and even being in a big party, concert, or sports event where everyone is on the same page. Even the social reward of seeing smiles has been covered up by masks. Handshakes and hugs are forbidden out of prudence.

This is even worse for single people or people living alone. Opportunities to socialize and perhaps meet a new partner are severely limited under the current guidelines – whether you want to meet in a bar or at church.

Trust busting pandemic practices…

And oxytocin promotes trust in those around us.  With low oxytocin, constantly trying to “Distance”in case others will make us sick, and people masking their facial expressions it becomes difficult to trust.  This only adds to the polarizing situation in our country.

To avoid taking drastic measures that can put ourselves and all we come in contact with at risk, try these:

Pandemic-Safe Ways To Have Some Hits Of Oxytocin Every Day

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  • Alone?  Try self massage to release some oxytocin.  It’s an Ayurveda practice to do frequent self massage with sesame or almond oil (or medicated oils for specific kinds of support).  It doesn’t have to be fancy, just do what feels good before a nice warm bath or shower.
  • You can also give yourself hugs or soothingly place your hand on your heart. This is shown to increase oxytocin.
  • Many people have learned the Zoom habit – meeting with video chats.  This is more rewarding than just audio phone calls, seeing the other person adds a stronger dimension of connection…and oxytocin.
  • Some research has shown that practicing hatha yoga can help with some oxytocin. This is in addition to helping reduce anxiety & depression and supporting healthy sleep.
  • Loving-kindness meditation, also referred to as compassion meditation, involves directing thoughts of love, compassion, and goodwill toward someone in your life and sending thoughts of peace and wellness toward them.
  • If you are living with someone else you like, you might try cuddling and hugging with that person.  And maybe you don’t have another person, but have a pet.  Petting your pet also releases oxytocin!
  • And if you are locked-down with your lover, having sex is a premier way of getting oxytocin. Of course, if you are not with a lover, you can have orgasms on your own!  Just be aware that too many orgasms can deplete your immune system. (Ayurveda has guidelines for different ages and body types as well as special ways to renew after sex to avoid this.) 

I hope this list gives you some ideas for yourself and some compassion for all those wild and crazy people gathering together during the time of COVID 19.

For more info:  www.wisewomanhood.com