“ ... start of lyrics A pebble, a bone, a sigh and such
Can all become unnerving when one is succumb
To the vigor of fear
Reckless as, it feeds on the young
Fear, fear in myself evoking thought
Why all just seems so unfathomable
A sword in my breast, twice kissed in protest
Why all just seemed so unfathomable
Yet totally real... “
~ Alpine ~ The Vigor ~
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The word Oja, comes from Sanskrit and means “vigor”. Within the principles of Ayurveda, Oja is the essential energy of the body which can be equated with the “fluid of life”.
“ ... Ojas (pronounced oh-jus) is the ultimate refined result of digestion, metabolism, absorption and assimilation. The substance that connects the mind to the body and consciousness, it is a wholesome biochemical substance that nourishes all body tissues and has a direct influence on the nature and quality of physical, mental and emotional life. Ojas’ primary location is the heart, from where it circulates to and pervades the entire body. Ojas is collected from the body’s seven tissues — plasma, blood, muscle, adipose tissue (fat), bone, bone marrow, and reproductive tissue (semen and ovum) — by the influence of enzymes (Agnis), similar to how a bee collects honey from the essence of many flowers. The purest substance in the universe and omnipresent in the human being, ojas is responsible for higher states of consciousness, purity of thoughts, perfect health, positivity in feelings, love, joy, better immunity, longevity, intelligence, creativity, memory, bliss, and thought process. When an individual’s inner consciousness awakens spontaneously, ojas increases. In a nutshell, ojas is the sap of the entire physiology and sustains the life of an individual ... “
Ojas is a type of vibrancy within you ... and can deplete in the process of life. Ojas is spent when you are engaging in any of the five senses. In the context of spiritual and emotional well-being, Oja is referred to as “the physiological expression of consciousness.” Ojas is also considered the most refined by-product of digestion ... e.g. complete digestion of a meal is considered to take about 24 hours, it takes 30 days for the body to digest food and refine it enough to manufacture ojas.
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How the Seven Body Tissues Can Deplete Ojas ...
Rasa production, which is the first nutrient fluid and eventually becomes lymph, is literally stopped by the chemistry of chronic stress. The lymphatic fluid flows best in an alkaline environment. Stress releases stress-fighting hormones that have acidic waste products. Excessive stress results in excess acidity which causes the lymph to congest. It can be stress from work, exercise, emotions, travel or digestive stress from bad food that can block rasa.
Rakta, the body’s blood, can deplete ojas when it becomes inflamed and toxic, carrying damaging inflammatory and degenerative chemicals throughout the body.
Mamsa, the muscle tissue, most commonly depletes ojas through excessive exercise and exhaustion.
Medha, the body’s fat, will deplete ojas when it is stored and taken out of circulation due to the excesses of stress. Most toxic chemicals are fat soluble and thus are stored in times of stress.
Asthi, the body’s bone, will deplete ojas due to chronic issues such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. These conditions are extremely rare in second and third world countries where the culture of stress is not as rampant.
Majja, the nervous system, depletes ojas when it is directly affected by chronic stress and excessive activities. Excess stress stimulates the release of degenerative hormones which accelerate aging, cause chronic disease, fatigue, sleep issues and much more.
Shukra is the reproductive fluid. Excessive sex will deplete ojas.
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We can rebuild our system with proper food, rest and attitude. Emphasis on the attitude ... rebuild your Oja by loving others, laughing, acting on what you are passionate about, giving and serving others, practicing yoga-breath work-meditation and being one with nature.
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