Tejas - Flame of Intelligence
In the hustle of modern life, it's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced rhythm of things. But what happens when this relentless pace begins to take a toll on our inner radiance, our Tejas? In Ayurveda, Tejas is described as the subtle form of Pitta Dosha, representing the flame of cellular intelligence and our inner radiance. It governs our digestion, both of food and experiences, as well as our ability to perceive and judge correctly.
When our Tejas is imbalanced—either too high or too low—it can lead to a myriad of physical and emotional symptoms. High Tejas can manifest as increased Pitta, judgment, anger, skin issues, and even autoimmune disorders, while low Tejas may result in mental dullness, lack of courage, and purposelessness.
Tejas, often described as the burning flame of pure intelligence, is a fundamental principle in Ayurveda that encompasses both light and heat. Think of the radiant glow of the sun—that's Tejas in action. It's the vital energy responsible for digesting and transforming everything we intake and integrate into our beings—whether it's food, liquids, thoughts, actions, vision, emotions, or even trauma. Tejas is the inner fire that powers our physical, mental, and emotional processes, allowing us to thrive and grow.
The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda teaches us the art of cultivating balance, restoring Tejas to equilibrium, and reminding us of the power in slowing down and reconnecting with the rhythms of nature.
Symptoms of Tejas Imbalance:
Signs of Low Tejas:
Mental dullness: A lack of mental clarity, sharpness, or focus.
Lack of courage: Feeling timid, fearful, or lacking in confidence.
Lack of clear goals: Feeling directionless or unsure of one's purpose in life.
Passive behavior: Being overly submissive or indifferent to life's challenges.
Gullibility: Being easily swayed or influenced by others.
Excessive talking: Engaging in chatter without substance, often to distract oneself from inner discomfort.
Negative thinking: Persistent pessimism or a tendency to focus on the downside of situations.
Poor digestion: Difficulty in digesting food and sluggish digestion, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, or irregular bowel movements.
Signs of High Tejas:
Increased Pitta: Manifesting as irritability, anger, impatience, skin rash, bright red tongue, burning sensations.
Judgment and criticism: Being overly critical of oneself and others.
Skin issues: Conditions like acne, hives, or rashes.
Ulcers: Sores or lesions in the digestive tract or mouth.
Bleeding disorders: Excessive or prolonged bleeding, such as nosebleeds or heavy menstrual periods.
Autoimmune disorders
Burn out: Feeling exhausted, over working, busy, stressed
Healing Practices for Low Tejas
Embrace the Sun
Spend at least 20 minutes outdoors soaking in natural sunlight.
Practice Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) in the open air, if possible.
Wear the colors of the sun: red, orange and yellow
Chant the mantra “Hreem”
Cultivate Spiritual Practices
Meditate regularly to quiet the mind and nurture inner radiance.
Chant mantras to elevate consciousness and foster positivity.
Stimulating pranayama - kapalabhati, bhastrika and suya bhedana.
Nourish the Body and Mind
Consume one pinch of Trikatu with honey before lunch and dinner to stimulate digestion or Agni Kindler.
Incorporate ghee into your diet, known for its nourishing and rejuvenating properties.
Stimulate the sense with bright scents like citrus or orange essential oils.
Arrange vibrant bight colored flowers like sunflower and marigolds.
Movement
Engage in moderate exercise routines that promote circulation and vitality, such as walking, running, swimming, or yoga. Avoid overexertion and excessive physical activity, which can deplete Tejas.
Yoga asana: Hand balancing, twisting, linear repetitive movements like Classical Namaskar, Surya namaskar A and B.
Ayurvedic Tonics
Consider taking Ayurvedic tonics and rejuvenating formulas that specifically target low Tejas, such as Chyawanprash, Ashwagandha, and Shilajit. These herbal preparations help to nourish and strengthen the body's vital energy.
When working with herbs it is very important to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner and your Medical Doctor.
Igniting TEJAS with Candle Gazing Meditation - Trataka
In the quest to increase Tejas and awaken our inner radiance, candle gazing meditation, also known as Trataka, emerges as a powerful practice. This ancient technique harnesses the steady flame of a candle to sharpen concentration, calm the mind, and kindle the flame of Tejas within.
How to Practice:
Set the Scene: Find a quiet, dimly lit space where you can sit comfortably without distractions. Place a lit candle at eye level about arm's length away.
Soft Gaze: Sit with a straight spine and gently gaze at the flame of the candle without blinking. Allow your focus to soften as you become absorbed in the luminous presence before you.
Observation without Judgment: Notice any thoughts, sensations, or emotions that arise during the practice without attaching to them. Simply observe and let them pass, returning your focus to the flame whenever the mind wanders.
The Transformative Power:
As you continue with candle gazing meditation, feel the inner fire of Tejas begin to kindle within you. Experience how the flame illuminates your inner landscape, bringing clarity, insight, and a deep sense of inner strength.
Cultivating Connection:
Through regular practice, candle gazing meditation fosters a profound connection to your inner wisdom and intuition. Trust the guidance of your inner flame as you navigate life's journey with clarity, purpose, and vitality.
Incorporating into Your Routine:
Make candle gazing meditation a part of your daily routine to stoke the fire of Tejas within. Set aside a few moments each day to sit in quiet contemplation, allowing the gentle glow of the candle to ignite your inner radiance and illuminate your path forward.
Remedies for Excess Tejas
Embrace the Moon
Spend time in the moonlight. Connect with and study the lunar cycles.
Practice Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations).
Wear the colors of the moon: white, pale, silver and grey.
Chant the mantra “Shreem”
Cool and Soothe
Draw a bath with rose petals and epsom salt.
Practice cooling pranayama techniques like Shitali pranayama, Chandra bhedana and Moon Salutations.
Hydrate and Nourish
Drink a glass of warmed milk, ideally from a silver cup, to cool excess heat in the body.
Consume cooling foods like cucumber, fennel, cilantro, and coconut milk to balance Pitta.
Increase your intake of the bitter taste.
Invoke Calmness
Apply sandalwood to affected areas of the skin to soothe inflammation.
Practice Shavasana (Corpse Pose) to induce deep relaxation and alleviate stress.
Cool the mind with soothing gentle yoga practices like yin yoga, yoga Nidra, and restorative yoga.
Use cooling essential oils like rose, sandalwood, and jasmine in aromatherapy diffusers or diluted in carrier oils for massages.
Herbal Remedies
Incorporate Ayurvedic herbs known for their cooling and soothing properties, such as Brahmi, Shatavari, Neem, Rose, and Guduchi. These herbs can help balance Pitta and reduce inflammation in the body.
When working with herbs it is very important to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner and your Medical Doctor.
Work with Rose - Subtle Therapy
Rose’s sweet and astringent tastes help pacify pitta (heat) in the body and mind.
You can spray your face, hair and body with rose water to cool the mind and body.
You can add rose powder and dried rose petals to your teas to cool the mind and body.
Arrange roses and place them around your house. Surround yourself with the essence of roses.
Rose is a nervine, aphrodisiac, relieves heat, congestion of the blood and soothes inflammation & digestion.
Rose is known as the flower of love and devotion. Rose is associated with the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe miraculously offered roses to Juan Diego in Mexico.
Cool Down with Shitali Pranayama
Shitali Pranayama, a cooling breathing technique, serves as a refreshing practice to balance the fiery energy of Pitta and soothe the mind and body. This ancient yogic exercise involves inhaling through a curled tongue, creating a cooling sensation, and exhaling through the nose. Here's how to practice Shitali Pranayama:
How to Practice:
Prepare: Find a comfortable seated position either on the floor or in a chair with your with a tall spine and shoulders relaxed. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
Curl the Tongue: Extend your tongue out of your mouth and curl it into a tube shape, similar to a straw. If you're unable to curl your tongue, you can purse your lips slightly like you are sipping through a straw instead.
Inhale: Inhale slowly and deeply through the curled tongue, allowing the breath to be drawn in smoothly and evenly. Feel the coolness of the air as it passes over your tongue and into your mouth and throat.
Pause: At the top of your inhalation, briefly hold the breath for a moment, retaining the coolness within.
Exhale: Exhale gently and completely through your nose, releasing any tension or heat from the body. Feel the warmth of the exhaled breath as it leaves your body.
Repeat: Continue this cycle of inhalation through the curled tongue, pause, and exhalation through the nose for several rounds, allowing the cooling sensation to permeate your entire being.
The Cooling Benefits
Shitali Pranayama offers a host of cooling benefits for both the body and mind. It helps to reduce excess heat and inflammation, calms the nervous system, and promotes a sense of inner tranquility and balance. Regular practice of Shitali Pranayama can help to alleviate symptoms of heat-related imbalances such as irritability, anger, digestive issues, hot flashes, and internal heat leaving you feeling refreshed, revitalized, and grounded.
Incorporating into Your Routine
Make Shitali Pranayama a part of your daily routine, especially during the warmer months or when you're feeling overheated or stressed. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice this cooling breath exercise, allowing it to bring a sense of calm and balance to your body, mind, and spirit.
“The brilliant sun that shines in every heart for the heavens earth and all creatures.
What a blessing!
Let it soak my every pore for the inner splendor it reveals is a blessing.”
— Rumi
Healing from imbalances in Tejas requires a holistic approach that addresses both the body and mind. By slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and nurturing our inner radiance, we can restore harmony and vitality to our being. Let us remember the profound wisdom of Ayurveda as we embark on this journey towards healing and transformation.
The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.