A New Beginning: In a Life of Greater Balance, Harmony and Fulfillment

By Delia Trujillo

Our body has the amazing ability to repel disease and constantly renew and repair itself if we are living in a state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual equilibrium. However, the challenge arises for us in that everything we eat, say, think, do, see, and feel affects our state of equilibrium. In addition, those of us who live in the more advanced cultures of the worlds industrialized nations are almost totally disconnected from nature, from our natural rhythms and from our instinctual awareness.
With the information in this book you will be able to nurture your spiritual connection in order to receive wisdom and healing from your innermost core of being, which is immune to aging and sickness. This connection allows us to make the gradual transition to a lifestyle that promotes radiant health and slows down and begins to reverse our biological clock, and also helps us attain a more profound inner peace, optimism, and true happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514451731

Delia Trujillo

The life’s work of holistic wellness advocate Delia M. Trujillo has spanned more than 20 years. Her primary focus is the integration and nurturance of the body, mind, emotions and spirit, which she ardently believes is the key for the attainment of one’s highest potential. Her books, presentations, and e-courses are based on ancient wisdom from Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine which has been adapted to 21st century living. Her work also presents some of the timeless teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, Guatama the Buddha, A Course in Miracles, and the writings of Dr. Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and Thich Nhat Hanh. She is a presenter, journalist, and retreat coordinator in Central and South Texas. You may visit her website at www.nature-wisdom.com

Book preview

Part One

Essential Elements of Healing and Renewal

I

Living in Harmony with Nature

Living in harmony with the rhythms of nature is an important component for maintaining a balanced lifestyle that promotes inner peace and fulfillment as well as immunity to aging and sickness. Acknowledging and following the wisdom of nature and receiving healing and nurturance from the earth is second nature to the balanced person.

Unfortunately those of us living in the highly advanced cultures of the world's industrialized nations are exposed to unrelenting stress in addition to air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, and toxins in our food. As a result we are no longer in a state of equilibrium of body, mind, emotions and spirit.

What follows is a brief overview to help city dwellers begin to re-connect with nature and awaken innate instinctual awareness and wisdom in order to attain greater balance and an improved quality of life. However, several of the topics discussed in this chapter are based on ancient Chinese wisdom, and therefore it is first necessary to understand the meaning of the terms yin and yang.

Yin and Yang

According to Eastern philosophy, Yang is the energy or Qi that descends from the heavens. It is the energy of expansion, growth, activity, light, heat and is exemplified by the masculine. Spring and summer are the yang season of the year. Daytime and sunshine are yang.

Yin is the energy or Qi that comes from the earth. It is the energy that brings about our volition to turn inward, coolness, passiveness, darkness, and is exemplified by the feminine. Fall and winter are the yin seasons of the year. The nighttime and the moonlight are yin.

Furthermore, in the Chinese tradition there is also a fifth season in addition to our spring, summer, autumn and winter. This season comes in late August through September and is roughly equivalent to our Indian summer. This time is the transition from the yang (hot) seasons to the yin (cold) seasons

Reconnecting with Nature

The ultimate way to re-connect with nature is to frequently camp out and sleep all night on the ground in the moonlight under the stars while during the day we play and relax in the sunshine. Whether we are doing this in the mountains, the seashore, in a wooded location or in the solitude of a desert setting, we will be able to experience nature's healing, calming, restorative energies.

In addition, if our circumstances do not permit this, another practical way to begin to reconnect with the earth is to take time from our busy schedule to walk barefoot on the earth. This could be in our back year or at a park or nature preserve. We breathe deeply, relax and acknowledge the beauty of the vegetation around us, the beautiful song of the birds, and the gentle breeze on our skin.

If time permits, it would be very beneficial to lie on the ground in a peaceful place where we will not be disturbed. If we prefer not to lie on the bare ground, we can use a mat made of natural material such as cotton or woven straw; or use a wool blanket. It is very healing to look up at the wondrous blue of the sky and the different shades of green of the vegetation.

During these activities we will be absorbing the nurturing yin energy from the earth and the energizing yang energy from the heavens. At the same time our body, mind/emotions and spirit will be integrating and receiving healing.

The Circadian Rhythms

Nature's circadian rhythms are governed by earth's day/night cycle. Circadian rhythms are like an internal clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes in humans, animals and plants. In humans there are patterns of brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration, and other biological activities linked to this 24-hour cycle.

In order to bring our body, mind, emotions and spirit into balance, it is very important to be in tune with these rhythms. If we are out of sync with them, it is like trying to swim upstream.

Some steps to attain this harmony with nature's rhythms are as follows:

1) The predominantly yang time of the cycle begins at sunrise. If we stay in bed late in the morning our body will enter a yin energetic state and we will feel sluggish and low on energy and have foggy thinking.

2) Get out of bed at or before sunrise. This is a great time to meditate followed by your exercise routine if possible before breakfast.

3) Have your biggest meal of the day around noon; do not eat between meals.

4) The predominantly yin part of the cycle begins after sunset, and this is the time for us to also begin to wind down from the activities of the day and prepare for rest and restoration.

5) Have a small meal between 6 and 7 p.m. Take a relaxing leisurely stroll after dinner. Also you can do your exercise routine in the late afternoon or early evening if you did not do so in the morning.

6) Do not eat anything after 7 p.m. It is very important that our body is not using up precious energies trying to digest a heavy meal that we ate late at night. If forced to do so, our body will store the fat instead of metabolizing it and will not be able to cleanse, repair and renew itself as nature intended.

7) Start winding down around 8 p.m. and be in bed by 10 p.m. If we stay up too long past 10 p.m., our body and mind will enter a yang energetic state and we will have trouble sleeping. When we finally do fall asleep it will not be deep restful sleep.

Seasonal Attunement

In his book Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Paul Pitchford presents practical insights based on ancient Chinese wisdom. This ageless philosophy teaches that the seasons have a profound cyclical effect on human growth and well-being. In other words we are influenced by climatic changes, and it is important that we acknowledge and live in harmony with the season of the year we are currently experiencing.

An important part of the seasonal attunement philosophy is to choose and prepare food according to the seasons, and more detailed guidelines will be given below. Also, in order to be in harmony with nature, it very important to stop consuming refined sugar, refined flour and refined grain products, and processed foods with additives and preservatives.

In addition, our endeavor to be in deeper harmony with nature entails buying organic produce whenever possible. Conventionally grown produce has synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and is usually genetically modified. As a result this further sabotages our health and causes greater imbalance.

The seasonal nutrition guidelines that follow do not mention animal protein. If a person is not yet completely vegetarian, limited amounts of animal protein may be consumed once a day. Look for natural meats that do not have added antibiotics and growth hormones. These include lean beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, quail, and fish. However, shell fish should be avoided, and wild caught fish is preferred over farm raised. Also, in the case of non-vegetarians, it is important to take at least one day out of the week when they eat only light vegetarian meals in order to allow their body to cleanse and rest.

1) Spring

This season is considered a time for new beginnings. There is plant life pushing upward at this time after winter's slumber, and the sight of tender young plants nourishes the soul. You will start to be more motivated to exercise. Chinese wisdom says it is the time of the year to rise early with the sun and take brisk walks in order to be in harmony with the ascending and active nature of spring. The appetite for food decreases and the body naturally cleanses itself of old food residue. It also cleanses itself emotionally from residue such as excessive desire and craving, dissatisfaction, impatience and anger. It is a time for self-awareness and self-expression.

The diet at this time should be the lightest of the year containing food that emphasizes the ascending and expansive qualities of spring, such as fresh greens, young plants, sprouts. Enjoy the sweetness of simple grains, such as short grain brown rice, quinoa and millet; and legumes such as fava beans, green split peas and lentils. Salty and heavy foods are to be avoided. Some ideal herbs are basil, fennel, rosemary, thyme, dill and bay leaf.

Mint, dandelion and milk thistle teas help to cleanse the blood at this time of the year. Smoothies made from greens such as collard, kale, chard or spinach and fruits such as apples, pears, berries or papaya are also cleansing and very beneficial at this time of the year

Lightly cooked young beets, carrots finely cut into thin pieces or matchstick strips, cabbage, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, summer squash and zucchini are just some of the vegetable that are great in the spring. Also, include apples, apricots, nectarines and avocados.

In the spring, food is best cooked for a shorter time but at a higher temperature. Remove from heat at the point where the food is not thoroughly cooked, especially the inner part. A quick high-temperature sauté in sesame oil is also appropriate. Alternately, light steaming or minimal simmering is ideal if cooking with water.

Raw vegetables or salads are also in harmony with the yang seasons. However, raw food should not to be taken in excess as this might weaken digestion in some persons. To kill parasites and other microbes soak for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar or 1 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide dissolved in 1 gal water and then rinse in clear water.

2) Summer

To be in harmony with the atmosphere of summer, which is a period of luxurious growth, wake up early and reach to the sun for nourishment just as the gardens do. Then work, play, travel, be joyful and adopt an attitude of selfless service. In the summer we are well into the yang time of the year and our physiology yearns for exercise. Therefore, this is the best time of the year to start working towards a higher fitness level if you are not already doing so.

In addition to all the foods listed above for the spring diet, the summer diet consists of brightly colored summer fruits and vegetable and salads, sprouts and tofu, light grains and legumes such as those for the spring. Include peaches, watermelons, cantaloupe, strawberries (organic only), cucumbers and flower teas such as chrysanthemum, mint and chamomile. However, do not eat fruit in combination with any other food but only as a small meal or snack on its own, and do not eat cantaloupe or other melons in combination with anything else.

The cooking methods are similar to those of the spring in that food is only lightly cooked. In summer however, a little spicy or fiery flavor might be added in moderation, such as red and green hot peppers, cayenne red pepper, and fresh ginger.

Another consideration at this time is that summer heat combined with too much cold food weakens the digestive system and causes greater imbalance. The worst culprits are iced drinks and ice cream which should be avoided. In addition, heavy foods on hot days cause sluggishness. Therefore, strictly limit or avoid foods such meats, eggs, and excessive nuts, seeds, and heavy grains. Eating less and lightly on hot bright days is a natural, healthful practice.

3) Late Summer

In the Chinese traditions there is a fifth season that is acknowledged in the last month of our traditional summer and also 7 ½ days before and after each of the two equinoxes and two solstices. This season is considered a time of transition and is the interchange of the seasons. When we become more attuned to our innate instinctual awareness, we begin to notice that we feel more stressed and tired at these times of the year. Therefore, it is beneficial to make our life as simple and harmonious as possible at this time.

In his book, Paul Pitchford suggests that the nutrition for this season include grains such as millet, sweet rice, brown rice; legumes such as split peas, garbanzo beans, string beans, mung beans, soybeans, and lentils; and also corn carrots, cabbage, squash, potatoes, yams, tofu, apricots and cantaloupe. Food should be prepared simply, with a minimum of seasonings and a mild taste.

4) Autumn

Fall is the season of harvest and a time for everything in nature to begin to pull inward and prepare for the approaching stillness of winter. In the autumn we enter into the yin time of the cycle. Leaves and fruit fall, seeds dry, and the sap of the trees begin to go into the roots. It is also a time for us to begin to internalize our scattered focus and begin to turn inward.

In keeping with the yin energy of autumn, we might not feel the same motivation to exercise that we felt in the spring