MANDALA
Raise your sattvic quotient
In this fast-paced world, we are always looking for quick fixes for everything, even if it is healing a sickness. Hence, we run towards Western medicine and forget the ancient wisdom of ayurveda that our country is blessed with.
Dr. Suneet Aurora is an ayurveda specialist for 25 years with expertise in gastro and immunity disorders, cancers, and chronic diseases. He also teaches ayurveda to young graduates in the Guru-Shishya parampara (guru-disciple tradition). He is a counselor as well with a post-graduate training in psychotherapy and psychology.
A play of elements and energy, ayurveda is a holistic science that is closely knitted into the philosophical and spiritual fabric of India. Vaidya Suneet mentions a lost traditional treatment modality called the Satvavajaya that finds reference in our classical Sanskrit texts. Calling it the ayurvedic equivalent of psychotherapy, he has revived Satvavajaya and often employs it at his clinic to treat patients. Under this modality of healing, one’s satva quotient is raised to heal and eliminate all negative psychological blockages that trigger a constant release of stress hormones into the body making its tissues inflammatory and acidic, thus causing many auto-immune disorders, cancers, obesity, and other degenerative diseases. In short, our body’s immunity is directly proportional to the amount of satva we nurture.
Satvavajaya uses many beneficial ayurvedic herbs along with a lifestyle shift, to elevate one’s negative outlook towards life to a positive one. Making a person a lot more balanced, serene, energetic, and dynamic, Satvavajaya promises an experience of life that is much more expanded, luminous, creative, and aligned with nature. Even the face of a person with raised satva glows differently and exudes good energy. It can also be seen in their eyes, words, mannerisms, and in fact, in their entire being.
Vaidya Suneet has developed his unique method of amalgamating the neuroscience aspect of modern psychotherapy with the elements and Doshas in ayurveda along with some curated meditations which when applied work on the many layers of mind and body thus, attaining wholesome quantum healing, as observed in his client pool. A simple nutritious diet, healthy lifestyle, mindfulness, virtuous actions, pure relationships, compassion, and Maitri (loving-kindness) towards everyone, all help in increasing the satva.
Contact: Sampoorna Kayakalp Ayurveda Clinic and Panchkarma Centre
Ph.: +91 161 5028269; Mobile: +91 9216220077; website: www.kayakalp.org
Remembering Dadi Janki
On April 12, 2021, at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Conference Hall in New Delhi, the vice president of our country released a postage stamp in memory of Rajyogini Dadi Janki, the former chief of the Brahma Kumaris. The event was live on air and was also streamed online. Along with the Honourable Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, this event also witnessed the presence of the Honourable Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Electronics and IT and Communications, Shri D R Kaarthikeyan, Former Director, CBI, and other dignitaries. Through this ceremony, the government of India reverently extended this honour to Dadiji and celebrated her legacy and her life of service.
In the keynote speech, BK sister Asha said that Dadi Janki was a tireless server who always believed that the attitude of seva (selfless service) strengthens anyone who does it. Dadi Janki didn’t know English or any other foreign language, yet she spoke the language of the heart, humanity, and spiritual love. The questions “Who am I? To whom do I belong? What should I do?” were Dadi’s favourite ones, and she urged everyone she met to ask themselves the same. She has always succeeded in drawing one’s attention to the Divine.
Shri D R Kaarthikeyan, who has had real close encounters with Dadi Janki for more than 30 years, also shared some really awe-inspiring experiences, one of them being an instance when he got a call from Dadiji, when she was in Mount Abu. She expressed her compassionate concern for him upon hearing the sad news of his wife’s sudden demise and said in her comforting voice, “Brother, she has not gone anywhere. We met in my morning meditation. She is with the angels and sends you a message. Even though you are a little broken, you must continue with your life as you have so much to do for the world. She was on her further journey as well.”
He described Dadi Janki’s personality as calm, kind, wise, simple, accessible, and very hospitable. A medical study in Texas showed that Dadi Janki had the most stable mind in the world as her mental state remained completely undisturbed even while performing complicated mental exercises. Also, the EEG examination of her brain wave pattern continuously displayed delta waves while she was cooking, eating, giving lectures, talking, doing arithmetic calculations, or sleeping. Her dedicated commitment to the practice of Raja Yoga meditation was the answer to her holiness. He summed up the 10 secrets of Dadi Janki who empowered thousands of women around the world:
• Sense of purpose
• Inner connection
• Spiritual discipline
• Control over thoughts
• Selfless service
• Simplistic living
• Healthy vegetarian diet
• Travelling light
• Finding time to laugh
• Seamless compassion
Proning back to health
The effectiveness of ‘proning’ for patients with COVID 19, and its impact on reducing mortality has gained much attention over the past year. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) recently advised proning for self-care amongst patients who have tested positive for COVID 19, stating it to be extremely beneficial. Now, in the current scenario where shortage of hospital beds, drastically increased demand for oxygen concentrators and medication, etc. is being seen, improvement in oxygen levels through proning may be very relevant to possibly reduce the necessity of hospital admission.
Lying with face down is known as Proning. It is a medically accepted position to improve oxygenation. If a patient’s oxygen levels drop below 94 (when measured at home on an oximeter), the patient can lie on their tummy; this position improves ventilation, and enables comfortable breathing.
In the last few years, prone positioning has been used increasingly in the treatment of patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and this is now considered as a simple & safe method to improve oxygenation. It involves turning a patient with precise, safe motions, from their back onto their abdomen so that the individual is lying face down to improve breathing.
Proning is required only when the patient experiences difficulty in breathing and the SpO2 decreases below 94. Regular monitoring of SpO2, along with other signs like temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar, is important during home isolation. Moreover, missing out on Hypoxia (compromised oxygen circulation) may lead to worsening of complications. Therefore, advice must be taken from the doctor on ways to effectively practice proning at home.
How to do it, correctly? One may prone for up to 16 hours a day, in multiple cycles, suitable to a patient’s comfort and ability. Pillows may be adjusted slightly to alter pressure areas and for comfort. Keep a track of any pressure sores or injuries, especially around the bony prominence.
If this is done with a help of a caregiver:
Place one pillow below the neck.
Place one or two pillows below the chest through upper thighs
Place two pillows below the shins
For self-proning:
You will need 4-5 Pillows.
There should be regular alterations in lying position
It is best not to spend more than 30 minutes in each position. After 30 minutes, lie on each side, them sit up before going back to proning.
Avoid proning in case of pregnancy, for an hour after meals, major cardiac conditions, an unstable spine, femur or pelvic fractures. Maintain proning for only as much times as easily tolerable. Keep a track of any pressure sores or injuries, especially, around bony prominences.
~Dr Anita Mathew, Infectious Disease Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund