your FIRST DUTY is towards yourself

Spiritual people have tendencies to dis-remember their physical body when they are in state of soul ascension and higher-self awakening. You might have evolved as a spiritual and wise being, but your physical body is important as well. We cannot escape from being responsible towards our physical existence. It’s not optional – it’s mandatory. Your FIRST DUTY is towards yourself.

Embrace your body. Not every soul is fortunate enough to get the one. Many of them are roaming body-less in search of how to get the physical body to get their karma dissolved. It’s only through human body that we can dismantle our karmic accounts and reach ultimate liberation. If you’ve got the one, you are blessed. Take care of it.

Our physical body gives our soul a place to reside. It has been taking care of our soul this many years, since our birth. It is our obligation to look after our body as it provided us with an “Identity” – a sense of existence.

The physical body we are possessing is given on rent by the Panchmahabhutas – the five elements, to fulfill our soul purpose; and once we are done with it, we are supposed to return it back to them. The way we take care of our house, we need to take care of our body too. “Your house is home to your physical body and your physical body is home to your soul…..!”

5 years of Spiritual Roller Coaster

Many souls have been through rigorous spiritual evolution in recent 5 years that has either led them to state of depression or into state of being lost. If you are one of them and need quick tips for self-care and renewed way of living, below are FOUR standard points to start with. They are equally helpful for both male and female bodies.

1 – Skin

Your skin needs special attention after spiritual purging. Clean, exfoliate, hydrate and protect. Follow C-T-M routine both AM and PM with SPF during daytime. Your skin deserves dose of “hydration” as well as “moisturization” through skin care products. (Yes, both are different and your skin needs both..!)

Use non-comedogenic, paraben/sulphate free products for your face and body skin. Don’t fall prey to hyped skin care products. Not everything that is costly is effective. Every skin is different and so their needs too. Research before purchasing them and you’ll intuitively know which ingredients your skin is longing for. Once you find your holy grail, stick to it religiously.

Give your body a rejuvenating self- oil massage once a week. Pick oils that are low on comedogenic ratio to avoid clogging of pores. You can add essential oils to the blend in case you are fond of fragrances. It soothes your mind. When you apply organic products to your body, you get a sense of well being – as if you are doing something good for yourself.

By all means…!

Bathe with normal cold water and slightly lukewarm water in winters to maintain skin elasticity and avoid sudden skin shocks. Taking bath in shower releases all of your negative energy. You remember the joy of bathing in rain? That’s because water element in form of droplets falling on your body gives you acupuncture like effects. This heals your body and your skin loves it.

Do not forget to take care of your ears, neck, nails and heels of the feet. We get crack in heels due to accumulation of dead skin cells. Remove dead skin cells from sides of your nails and from heels as well. You can do it by your own without going to any spalon. Use self-help dead skin cell removal apparatus available in market. Taking care of your heels help you get rid of leg pain and make your walk comfortable and confident.

Never be desperate to hide your flaws. Embrace your imperfections. Stagnant perfectionism is boring – as we have nothing left to achieve there after. Our imperfections makes us keep going. Aging gracefully is a sign of wisdom.

2 – Hair

There’s a huge problem of hair fall as well dry/rough hair after spiritual purging. Do not wash your hair too often; twice a week is sufficient in normal case. Intuitively choose organic blend of oil for hair care. No matter what the situation is, ALWAYS use organic or chemical/toxin free shampoo and conditioner for hair cleansing. Hair masks are higher version of conditioners and provide nourishment to your hair from root to tip. You can use them too, once a week, to improve the quality of your hair.

Not everything that is trendy or expensive can be effective. Pick your hair products intuitively after doing research. You may use combination of products as per needs of your hair. Refrain from any harsh chemical hair treatments. Avoid blow dry and let your hair dry naturally. Do not forget to pamper yourself with a nice hair cut styling that suits your face shape and personality type.

3 – Internal Health

Spiritual tensions either make you loose or gain body weight. Your physical body gets imbalanced as a result.

Eat lot of fresh foods – fruits and green leafy vegetables, either in raw or semi-cooked form. Minimum of 5 veggies/fruits should go into your stomach per day. Cow’s milk/ghee is elixir for people who are on path of spirituality – consume them.

Do not eat before screen. Take out time and enjoy your food. Keep away from eating processed foods. Perform intermittent fasting in case you’ve increased weight. Take food in small plate to avoid over-eating. Skip drinking water immediately after meals.

Do not stress on dieting, rather focus on variety of nutriments taken in small portions at a time. Do not over do anything. Avoid taking unnecessary snacks in middle of two meals. Eat your staple foodstuffs and stay away from costly and hyped diet food. Your body is tamed to your regional foods and find your best among it – “Think global eat local…!”

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate..! Drink a lot of water. Your body needs it. In case you are into role where you can’t get up often enough, keep water in bottle with you (NOT in the plastic ones..! – Use metal, mud or glass bottles) Sometimes we tend to drink less if given to drink directly from the bottle. Keep your favorite transparent or vintage glass beside your water bottle so that you naturally feel attracted and use it to quench your thirst with enthusiasm. Also drink water sip by sip. Avoid gulping it, even if you are in hurry.

Oh Yess…!

Exercise regularly. There is no need to follow trends blindly in exercising. It is not compulsory to go to gym for weight loss. Ask your body and you’ll be intuitively guided towards what kind of workouts you’re body is compatible with.

Do brisk walking in morning with intention. Surya Namaskara is the best exercise as it covers each and every body part of yours. Start with 10 Surya Namaskara per day at home and keep on increasing the number being in compatible with your body.

Don’t be harsh with your body. Every body is unique and everyone is fabulous. Have goals but don’t force yourself and never compare with others. The more gradual you do it, the more stable it will be.

Tell your body and the panchmahabhutas (five elements) to help you and guide you for weight loss/gain. Ask the food you eat to work as medicine and make you healthy both internally and externally. Take good sleep, listen to soothing meditative music before bedtime in case of insomnia.

Also, follow a “ lazy day” once a week when you can cheat from all your daily exercise/food/skin routines and have a break. Let yourself breathe and keep yourself away from undertaking everything that you behave in other 6 days of your week. Spend this special day in doing what you like the most and ditch all your personal lifestyle rules and regulations for one day…!

4 – Outer Appearance

Minimalism is the new trend. Don’t get driven by fashion trends as they are always temporary. Be simple, direct, clean and easy.. It will make you feel comfortable and confident. DE-clutter your wardrobe and remove everything that is not fitting your body and personality. Give it to the needy ones.

Have classic pairs that can suit you in every way, even in future ahead. Have tops that goes well with more than one bottom and have bottoms that matches with more than one tops so that you can mix and match them whenever in need. That will give you a taste of change too. Keep fabrics that are enjoyable and that you love wearing. Choose cloth color and cloth pattern that suits your body type and personality exclusively (YES, there are “body types” and typical clothing for every body shape). Divide your capsule wardrobe on basis of seasons and stick to them seasonally.

Keep classic foot wears that suits most of the occasion and are comfortable to walk in and that suits your personality too. Of course, you can always keep your favorite body wears and foot wears reserved for special occasions. Remove rest of everything that is unnecessary. The more DE-cluttered and handy you keep your owning, the more you’ll feel light, the more you’ll relish them wearing. Remember, “Simple is ALWAYS Classy”…!

Takeaway

These are hardly basic ideas. The more you dive deep into them, the more you’ll be intuitively driven towards pattern and products that are best suitable on your path as every ingredient has a role to play in our spiritual journey and it differs from person to person. Listen to your intuitions and you’ll be guided towards your personal organic ingredient.

Everything is difficult in the beginning. Stable things cannot be achieved overnight. A bad day is not a bad week. Always give yourself a second chance. Self care is not selfishness – it’s Self-Love – and it’s essential and requisite.

Do not rely upon others to define who you are, how you live your life or what you are capable of. Set your own standards and do not allow others to make your choices and decisions for you. Detach yourself from your ancestral karmas and patterns. Step up and embrace your own powers and direct your attention to what you want for your life, rather than react to what others may thrust upon you.

Change your living patterns/routines, different from your kith and kins to something that is more suitable to you on personal/spiritual level. Build a strong connection with your true self, be your own voice and be clear about who you are, what you want and what works for you. Have your own private set of rules and regulations which your heart knows. Follow them intuitively. Do not be afraid to endeavor your personal will in the direction of your passions and live your life according to your own personal truths and values.

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