Season Change Cleansings for Body, Mind, Spirit
With the change of seasons at the solstices and equinoxes, it is important to do three cleansings, one each for your body, mind, and spirit.
De-Cluttering, Crystal Cleansing, and Feng Shui
1. Cleansing the Body
This is one of three processes that should be done 4 times a year. Using the seasons as a guide, allows us to work with the “flow of nature” and change as our bodies change. Consider a healthy detox or work with the power of an herbal cleanser.
Here is a nice Detoxification Bath to get you started:
Detoxification Bath
2 Cups Sea Salt
2 Cups Baking Soda
4 Tbsp. Ginger Powder
Add 2 or 3 crystals of your choice (I recommend any in the quartz family)
Place all ingredients in a hot bath and bathe for 20 Minutes. Drink plenty of water. This bath withdraws impurities from your body and helps you to feel better. This bath can be done 2 to 3 times in a week or as needed.
Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative and is high in both fiber and mucilage. Psyllium seeds contain 10-30% mucilage. The laxative properties of psyllium are due to the swelling of the husk when it comes in contact with water. This forms a gelatinous mass and keeps the feces hydrated and soft. The resulting bulk stimulates a reflex contraction of the walls of the bowel, followed by emptying.
De-cluttering the space around you can make all the difference in the way you feel. Start small. Try organizing a drawer or desk, your closet or one room in your house, first. Then move on to a bigger project. Learn the secrets to de-cluttering and re-organizing your life with the proponents of Feng Shui.
Crystal Feng Shui pouches have a great effect. Consider malachite, quartz, citrine or jade. Place one of the crystals in each of the 4 corners of the room.
2. Cleansing the Mind
This is the 2nd in the trilogy. Learn how to think in affirmations that are positive! These are statements that you make either aloud or to yourself. Always approve and accept yourself. You cannot love yourself unless you first, approve of and accept yourself.
A disciplined mind is a free mind. Gain control over your thoughts and you maintain control over your life. Retrain your mind and you regain your freedom. Calming the mind is a behavioral technique used to interrupt, minimize and eliminate “psychological noise”. Obsessive, repetitive thoughts, anxiety and fears are all apart of negative, self-destructive patterns that can benefit from the positive affirmations and mind quieting.
“Love Thy Self” I am perfect, whole and complete NOW, the way I am. I deserve all that I require. I am worthy, loveable and strong.
Mind clearing crystals include clear quartz, iolite, amethyst, sodalite, Angelite, blue agate, lapis lazuli, to name a few.
3. Cleansing the Spirit
This is a life long lesson and third in the trilogy. Utilize the strength of yoga therapy. What is your belief system? Does it serve you well? How about discovering some great meditations! The Sun Salutation in yoga is a great awakening and cleansing exercise. This is a flowing combination of some of the asanas in hatha yoga.
Sun Salutation Stand in Tadasana, take a deep breath, clasp thumbs in front of you and raise arms in front of you overhead. Arch back from the waist. Now, fold over at the waist as you exhale, placing palms on the floor, Uttanasana, step your right leg back into Lunge, step your left leg back to Plank, come into Bhujangasana, flow into Adho Mukha Svanasana, step your right foot forward to lunge, left foot forward for Uttanasana, inhale up to Tadasana. Repeat, stepping your left leg back into Lunge.
Crystal Cluster Cleansing Meditation
Breath is life! Exchange of electrons. Flow of energy. Air is the primary nutrient. Survival without it is measured in minutes. It is so important that you do it without thinking. Your breathing is the voice of your spirit. It’s depth, smoothness, sound, and rate reflect your mood. If you become aware of your breath and breathe the way you do when you are calm you will become calm. Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing. With the addition of music and its rhythm, the “musical breath” can even help stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders. Fall into the rhythm of the music and breathe. Focus on your breathing and the music.
Focusing on the breath is one of the most common and fundamental techniques for accessing the meditative state. Breath is a deep rhythm of the body that connects us intimately with the world around us.
Add a crystal to your meditation. A cluster crystal sitting in front of you or in a group meditation is a great choice. You can also hold your favorite stone in your hand while you meditate. Choose a stone that calls to you or use one, which metaphysical properties work for your needs.
Close your eyes, breathe deeply and regularly, and observe your breath as it flows in and out of your body. Give your full attention to the breath as it comes in, and full attention to the breath as it goes out. Whenever you find your attention wandering away from your breath, gently pull it back to the rising and falling of the breath. Inhale through your nose slowly and deeply, feeling the lower chest and abdomen inflate like a balloon. Hold for five seconds. Exhale deeply, deflating the lower chest and abdomen like a balloon. Hold for five seconds. Do this three or four times, then allow your breathing to return to a normal rhythm. You will begin to feel a change come over your entire body. Gradually you will become less aware of your breathing, but not captured in your stream of thoughts. You will become more centered inward. You will just “be there.”
Click HERE to Connect with your Daily Horoscope!
You will also enjoy Principles of Breath in Ayurveda
This article was originally published on 26 June 2013
About the Author
Connect with Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac at peacefulmind.com “Living Life, Consciously” Alternative medicine and therapies for healing mind, body & spirit!
