Sense organ care
The last 6 months have shown me more than ever the importance of sense organ care. We are living in a time where information is available all the time, filled with people disclosing all their thoughts and feelings non stop. Thoughts and feelings that were once left for discussion and processing through our own minds and perhaps our families are now free for all. It seems impossible for us to escape the happenings of the world. For us sensitive beings, this becomes very overwhelming very quickly.
Samskara is a term used in Ayurveda which refers to the mental impressions that are left by thoughts, actions and intentions. These translate as psychological impressions. The root of disease starts in the mind, so the impressions that are sitting in the mind contribute to the thoughts we have, which in turn contribute to our beliefs. Our beliefs drive our actions and our actions create the reality we live in. So, taking care of the root - the mind, is incredibly important.
The movies we watch, the words we hear, the images we see, the music we listen to, the conversations we have, even the smells we ingest, all contribute to samskara - the mental impressions in our minds. It is critical to take care of our sense organs, as these are entry points into our psyche.
Here are some things that you can do to protect your health and wellbeing:
Sight
Consider the things that you are watching, be it on TV, the newspaper, the magazines you read, even the computer games you may play. Consider the state of your home and whether it looks beautiful to you. How much time do you spend looking at things in and of nature? Consciously choose to look at things that are beautiful and inspiring to you. Protect your eyes and do not spend too much time looking at devices. Try to limit the use of blue light in your home. This comes from all overhead lights and devices. Use candles in the evenings and spend as much time outside in the natural light as possible during the day.
Hearing
What kind of conversations are you having? Are they fear-based, or are they uplifting and designed to elevate your experience? Is the music you listen to jarring to your cells, or does it feel soothing to you? Are you making the time to listen to the birds outside? What about the people in your home? Do others respect your sense of hearing? Our family wears headphones if we are using devices so as not to bother the other family members. We are also versed in “inside voices” and “outside voices.” I have modelled respect for others to my children by using a quiet voice when I am in a restaurant or speaking away from others when I am on my phone in public. What about the words you speak? Are they kind and necessary, or are you just mindlessly spewing what is in your mind without considering how this affects you and those around you?
Touch
How do your clothes feel on your body? Are they rough and itchy, or are they comforting on the body? I like to wear natural fabrics because they feel the most aligned with my body. Do you touch your body? Do you massage your skin? In Ayurveda and most Asian cultures, it is understood that a daily massage is incredibly beneficial to the nervous system. This post has a recipe for my Ayurvedic massage oil if you are interested. Are you touching others? Did you know that we need 3 hugs a day just to survive? And we need 12 hugs a day to thrive!
Smell
Consider the smells in your environment. Is your home clean? I like to use essential oils to clean my home. Bathing every day is an important practice which gives us the chance to anoint ourselves with beautiful smells and textures. I love using lavender, frankincense and orange oil at the moment. Do you bring the smells of nature into your home? Fresh flowers are wonderful, but what about pine leaves or eucalyptus branches? What about the perfume you use? Does it make you feel good? Do you open the windows to let the fresh air into your home so that the smells stay fresh and circulating?
Taste
What kind of food are you eating? Are you eating food that is fresh and organic if possible? Does the food you eat make you happy? Ayurveda suggests that we eat food which is sattvic. This is food that is fresh and as close to nature as possible. Food should be prepared simply and with a light heart. There is a reason that food made by someone who loves us tastes better. Leftovers don't taste as good as food that is freshly made, the reason for this is that old food has lost its life force or prana. Are you eating food of your ancestors? Our cells have memories and eating the food of our ancestors, prepared in a loving way is incredibly healing. Eat food that you love the taste of and if something doesn't taste good to you, don't eat it. Your body is speaking to you, trust it.
Taking care of the senses is so critical, especially at this time of global rebirth. It is a perfect time to practice exquisite self-care because the only way to make a difference and create a better world is from a place of inner peace and wellbeing.
How are you taking care of your senses?