What is a Vedic Lifestyle
Lifestyle plays a role of paramount importance in one’s life. You can learn about someone’s well being, physical and emotional stability, and overall health, just by taking a glance at that individual’s lifestyle.
Of course, in this modern time, it is not an easy task to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We live in a world full of disruptive distractions – be it the unhealthy food, laziness, technology, or an endless array of other negative influences.
In order to maintain good health, one needs an equally good way of living (or lifestyle). That lifestyle should motivate us to live in harmony with the nature, at least in such a way that incorporates more natural, holistic, and healthy elements than the standard, Western or American lifestyle.
One such way of life, which has been practiced for thousands of years and has spread across the world over the past century, is the Vedic way of living (or the Vedic lifestyle).
The Vedic code of life, also known as the “Vedic lifestyle,” is not just another lifestyle, however. It is more than simply a diet or a simple set of beliefs or daily practices.
The Vedic code of living is inspired from the teachings and knowledge that has been put down into texts known as The Vedas. These texts have been inspired, studied, and used in practice by many great ancient Sadhus, Yogis, and Gurus.
Most of the Vedic teachings talk about ways to connect with the world around you and how to live harmoniously with it. In general, the Vedic lifestyle allows you to explore both that which is seen and unseen.
If we take a basic conclusion of this way of life, its basic teachings would be to take only that amount from nature which is necessary for our survival. Of course, this may not fit with the world that we live in today, but even making strides toward this type of lifestyle can result in a considerable number of physical and mental health benefits.
Consider this: a Vedic lifestyle is like the idea of sustainable development: you take just what you need so that future generations would have enough and the environment doesn’t get affected.
Rather than thinking of this as purely generational, however, think of a Vedic lifestyle as living within your means. If you take less than you give, and survive only on what is necessary, you will likely have more money, right? Instead of currency, replace the concept of money with health, wellness, and positivity. All of these are likely to benefit.
The most famous and widely famous teachings from the Vedic way of life are yoga and Ayurveda. There is vast knowledge about almost every aspect of life that can be used to better and uplift the quality of our lives.
Potential Challenges When Adopting a Vedic Lifestyle
When it comes to living a Vedic lifestyle, it may be difficult for some people because most of its practices require self discipline. In a world when discipline has become a commodity, the biggest reason why many inviduals abandon a Vedic lifestyle is that change can be challenging.
For those wanting to begin working toward living a Vedic lifestyle, however, keep this in mind: waking up early in the morning is the first step.
The time before sunset is considered to be pure and energetic. Therefore, this time is perfect for those who wish to create a better life for themselves. While sleeping in and catching up on rest might be tempting, it is important to remember that it is rarely our bodies that are tired. Instead, we often indulge in sleep because of the stresses we create at the surface level of our consciousness (often through work, diet, Netflix binging, toxic relationships, a lack of exercise, or debt-related issues stemming from living beyond our means).
After waking up early, Vedas and the Yoga sutras guide us to clean our bodies.
Incorporating the Yoga Sutras
Patanjali, a second-century BCE Indian sage sometimes known as Gonikaputra or Gonardiya, is believed to be the author of the Yoga sutras. He named the process of positive duty Shaucha, which can be understood as the cleansing of the mind and body.
Physical cleaning can be performed by proper defecation (often aided by a balanced diet), cleaning body pores, and cleaning the body’s “gateways” through regular bathing. When it come to mental cleaning, it can be performed by practicing meditation.
Meditation helps in the cleaning of the thought process and also helps in a general uplifting of consciousness and awareness. One can also perform Pranayam (Yogic breathing exercises) to cleanse the body from inside by practicing different breathing exercises.
Yoga (or yogic asanas) comes next. To keep the body physically fit, yogic asanas are a great way to provide physical exercise without the need for a gym membership or expensive equipment in the home.
Many asanas have therapeutic effects and benefits ranging from muscle and bone health to improved digestion. The Vedas also talks about diet and nutrition, and how what we eat affects our overall well being (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual).
There is a lot that can be gained by following the Vedic way of life (or the Vedic lifestyle). At its core, it really teaches us how to live fully. The benefits are also vast, ranging from a healthy mind and body to heightened sense of being.
For practitioners, however, these are merely the byproducts. The real essence of this lifestyle is ‘life,’ experienced in a much better way.