Triphala not only gradually cleanses the bowels of all toxins, but also improves the digestive fire. So it does not have the side effects of other purgatives. In addition, it has a strengthening and nutritive effect upon the deeper tissues of the bone, nerve and reproductive [systems].

It is good to take Triphala along with digestive spices such as Trikatu. This gives a balanced approach to cleansing both the stomach and colon and makes for a good metabolic regulator. It is useful not only in Ama conditions, but also as part of a regular diet for preventing Ama from building up.” [1]

I have Ama (undigested food anywhere in your body is Ama). How do I know? There is a simple test: if your excrement floats, you are Ama free; otherwise, you have Ama. Last night, I took about a gram of Trikatu (the digestive stimulant mentioned above, made from equal parts ginger, black pepper, and pippali; cayenne can be substituted for pippali if it is not available, but cayenne tends to be a little too drying for long term usage) mixed with around 4 grams of Triphala in warm water with a small amount of maple syrup (I’m currently out of honey). It did indeed taste pretty horrible. I read for a while, then I laid down to sleep. I felt a tingling in my eyes, which I was not alarmed about because I’ve read that Triphala is an excellent detoxifier for the eyes, and I have pretty bad eye sight. That’s not what I’m going for, but if this also helps my eyesight, I definitely wouldn’t mind. Only time will tell. I had the feeling of detoxification occurring, but at the same time, I felt calm and supported by the strengthening properties of Triphala.

In the morning, I had a bowel movement as soon as I woke up, but it was not violent. I simply felt like I could go, so I did. There was no sense of urgency. This is good because I tend towards underweight, and while I want to eliminate the Ama, I do not want a strong laxative action. I believe the cause of my underweight is a week digestive fire which keeps me from properly digesting what I eat. My hope is that with Triphala and Trikatu, I can, in time, eliminate the Ama while simultaneously strengthening my digestive power. Once the Ama starts to clear up, I will add a tonic of some sort. Along with my newly strengthened digestion, this should help me to tonify my body and achieve a healthier weight. This is only the first day, and I’ve still got sinking, but I’ll update this as a record of my attempts(God willing, with some successes).

[1]. Ayurvedic Healing, 2nd edition. Dr. David Frawley

What is Ayurveda you ask?  Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India and other similar cultures.  It is a way of viewing the body and it’s processes that aids in understanding and healing the root causes of any diseases or discomforts.  It describes the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether and explains how each of them plays it’s role in the formation and functioning of our bodies.  Fire, for instance, is present in the body as digestion.  While there are no flames, acids and enzymes are used to heat up our food in order to break its chemical bonds.  I have read a lot, but I’m still very new to the subject.  I find it to be a very interesting view of the workings of the body that could prove to be quite a powerful contribution to modern medicine.

Whatever we identify with becomes part of ourselves.   Ahamkara controls what we are now and what we will become.
“”"

Nature told them that first exists Pure Existence, The One Without a Second.

When within Pure Existence a desire for Manifestation arises Consciousness and Will Appear.

These two mate together.  Their offspring is Intellect, the power of discrimination.

Intellect then individualizes itself into Ahamkara, the “I-former.”

The universe fills with numberless little individual bundles of intellect all searching for a means of expression.

According to their innate predilections these ahamkara-bundles manifest as:

waves of kinetic energy known as Rajas

material particles of potential energy known as Tamas

and the subjective consciousness known as Sattva.
“”" [1], page 13.

References
[1]. Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution.  Dr. Robert E. Svoboda.

[2]. Countless other texts, lectures, experience.

Pure awesome… also:

1:20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_UyVmITiYQ (too bad this isn’t Wave )

0:10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itc4253kjhw

My Translation:
Yoga is the art of channelling the fluctuations of mind in order to achieve an undisturbed, peaceful state of mind.

Chitta is the screen on which our world plays.  We do not see the world as directly as we think.  What we see is a combination of sensory input and memory.  Our senses do not give us complete information, but our minds fill in the missing gaps from memory.  All too often though, the screen is disturbed by memories that are not necessarily relevant to the reality we are attempting to perceive.  By a threefold process of letting go, observing without attachment, and finally inspecting these memories when they present themselves, one can gradually weaken their control over the mind.  When this is done with sincere effort, but without straining, peace of mind can be achieved.

My Translation:
And now we will delve into the topic of integrating the mind, body, and spirit.

The three entities of mind, body, and spirit are not really separate. They are all part of one whole. A useful metaphor is the holy trinity of Christianity. Mind (the father), body (the son), and spirit (the holy ghost) are all part of on entity self. The Bible says we are made in the image of God. It also says that God is within us. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God”. This is Yoga. Through the integration of these three entities, you will find peace and stillness, and through that you will come to know God.