In talking with many people who are on a path of growth I get the opportunity to witness; witness their walk and turn inward to witness my own. When we step back, sometimes we can see the error of our ways and with guidance learn a more positive approach. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras teaches about the concept of avidya. Let’s look at what avidya is and how it plays a part in our lives.

What is Avidya?

Avidya literally means “incorrect understanding”. The opposite is vidya or “correct understanding”. Avidya in some ways is the characteristics and habits that we develop because of our life experiences. For example, say a friend falls to the ground and we extend a hand to help them up and they smack it. We would be confused, maybe even hurt or angry. But they are our friend and so we reach out again, but again they smack our hand. In fact each time we try to help them we get the same result. Eventually, we no longer offer assistance to them with a fear of what may happen.

Let’s move forward a month and another friend slips and falls. Will we help them? By this point, it will at the very least cross our mind that we could be slapped again. Of course we want to help, but our past experiences tell us we may not get the result we hope for and in fact we may be hurt in the process. We may even replay the event in our mind so much that we become traumatized and decide never to help anyone who falls. This is avidya.

Asmita

Avidya is like a tree and it’s sometimes easier to recognize the branches. The first branch is asmita or the “ego”. Asmita makes us think we need to be the best, the fastest, the coolest, the richest, the prettiest, the skinniest, and so on.

Raja

The second branch is raja. Raja is demanding. For example, Sue went shopping for furniture and found a table she’s been looking for and was so happy and excited to have something new for her house. Today, Sue wakes up and wants to go again, get something else. Even though she may not need anything and it may not be good for her budget, she wants to feel good like she did yesterday. This is raja.

Dvesa

Next is Dvesa. In a way, it’s opposite of raja. Dvesa is when we reject things. When we no longer help a fallen friend because we are afraid we will get hurt again, like our example. We may even reject things that are unfamiliar even if we have no reason. We reject people, thoughts, places, and things because of what we relate to them or because we can’t relate to them.

Abhinivesa

Last is abhinivesa or fear. Fear affects us more than we realize. In our society it’s best to blend, to be part of the norm, to do what is expected. When we express ourselves in a way that is individual or different we have doubts. These doubts can be about our jobs, relationships, about being judged, about our looks and the aging process, and so on. Think about the amount of doubt that goes through your mind on a daily basis. Thoughts This is abhinivesa.

Roots

Just like a tree, avidya grows. It may be slow and subtle then before we realize it the roots have overtaken and we are immersed in negative thoughts and fears, not thinking clearly because avidya is like a cloud over our eyes. At that point, we are living in an illusion and cannot see the truth. This can be in a single are of life or many.

Yoga Helps!

The good news is yoga helps us to see. It helps to remove the cloud by practicing the philosophy. The practice teaches that what happened yesterday is not guaranteed for today. If yesterday was great and I want it all over again or if it was bad and I never want it again. Today is a new day and with this day we are renewed and all of our experiences are new.

Practice

Take time this week to see what you cling to and what you reject. See what branches of avidya are creeping into the garden of your mind, body, and your spirit. Acknowledge it, then begin the process of letting go by allowing yourself to feel how you feel, accepting it. Next, move your awareness into the body and see where the roots are on a more physical level, imagine them unrooting and releasing in whatever way that unfolds.

Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih

Awareness is the best and sometimes the worst part of a yoga lifestyle, because with knowledge comes responsibility.  So once the product junky who often thought the pricier and prettier the package, the better, is now the long-word on-the-label identifier and “can’t use it, it say’s fragrance” type shopper.  Some might see it as a hinderance, however I’m invested in living as long as I can with as little problems as possible.  It also helps to limit consumption (another lesson that comes with the lifestyle)!

It’s a Process…

My first moment of clarity came when I used to purchase Bath & Body Works products.  I like most of the girls I knew was so excited when they moved into the local mall and soon owned an array of smelly good lotions and soaps.  One day, I noticed that the smell was so generic that I looked at the label which of course was filled with words I can’t spell, pronounce, and surely had no idea what it was. I decided to look it up and stumbled onto a database that listed more than I ever intended to find out.  Horrified of what I was potentially creating in my body, namely CANCER, I decided it was time for a change.  A change in consciousness equalled a manifested change in how I was living my life.

Remember, as you set out on any journey of change that it is a process.  I found that it was easier to start small when cleaning up my products and to buy as I needed a particular product vs. trashing everything I already had and going gun ho…and it’s cheaper too. Over the years, I have tried different products, some have worked and some I didn’t care for.  There are a few that have passed the test and some still in transition. I’ve listed a few products that I use daily:

Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap – I love this soap for washing my face. It’s made with pure vegetable oils. The formula features coconut oil to moisturize, wild ginger to soothe, lime peel oil to refresh, orange oil to cleanse and sandalwood oil to cool skin, which is great for anyone who has blotchy skin or prone to breakouts.  Now my face is dry so I only use it once per day and follow with moisturizer.

Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant Body Spray- I love the Lavender and White Tea blend.  It’s the only natural deodorant that I’ve found that works for me.  I do have to re-apply after yoga, but I love that I don’t have to worry about stains and even better, I don’t have to worry about it causing breast cancer! It’s made with water, natural mineral salts and essential oils and smells fantastic. Works for even the profuse Pitta perspiration.

Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil- Absolutely could not survive the winter without this product.  Coconut oil is a wonder in itself, there are so many uses.  I use it for lotion, for massage, for eye make-up remover, for a mouth rinse (Yes, really; swish and spit to reduce germs and to whiten teeth!), its great for cooking, and two teaspoons taken orally can ease constipation. Rubbing the soles of the feet before bed can calm you and helps to soothe Vata’s restless mind. Miracle oil!

Cell-food Oxygen Skin Care Gel – Just started using this aloe vera based gel that is packed with amino acids.  You can really feel the tightening of the skin, one of the benefits claimed by the manufacturer.  It softens fine lines and restores moisture balance for all skin types. I like to think of it as ‘youth serum’!

Neutrogena Oil Free Sunblock- Still on the search for something safer, but have been using this sunblock that has a low percentage of the common ingredients found in sunscreen.  It’s easy to find locally. I’ve always worn sunscreen everyday, I think it’s an important part of reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as sun protection.

Change is Possible…and Affordable!

So, what is your beauty drawer filled with? With the availability of choices today it’s time for all us to become more aware of what we are ingesting through our skin.  After all, everything we put on absorbs into our blood.  I think it’s important to support products that are attempting to move in a conscious direction, in turn large bath, body, and hair product suppliers will realize that it’s time to put the health and not just consumerism first.

There are resources to help you start your natural beauty process.  Skin Deep is a cosmetic safety database easily accessed online and even from your smart phone while out shopping.  This website is genius! They list products of all kinds, even perfumes, with a  safety rating of 0-10. There are over 65,000 products currently in the database each with the rate and issue of concern listed.  Trust me, it’s worth checking out!  When it’s time to purchase, local health food stores are great.  For right now, safer products are slightly pricey, I have found through my own transition that the quantity of product I’m purchasing is less and therefore I’m spending close to the same and probably less.

Good luck on your natural beauty journey and please share
what you’re using!