ANCIENT WISDOM... a peek at Ayurveda, I was curious.

CURIOUS ON LIFE: the blog vol. 16

Rebecca Guevara Wingler

Creator of Color: Language of the Soul Watercolor Workshop Series

Artist/ Creative Life & Certified TNM Coach/ Podcaster

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Curious about historical, philosophical insights that help us understand ourselves? Me too,

Insights can guide us in understanding our place in the world, and the shared human experiences.

I find it fascinating that there are universal truths around many ancient wisdom traditions.

Insights can transcend time and cultural boundaries.

Ancient wisdom:

The evolution of thought and ideas, that give us better understanding of how earlier practices have influenced and shaped our current understanding of the world.

Ayurveda is an ancient wisdom practice that I have come to admire and incorporate.

What is it?

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine,

The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words Ayur (Life) and Veda (science or knowledge).

A traditional system of medicine that originated in India over 5.,000 years ago, and considered one of the oldest holistic healing systems in the world.

Like so many women in midlife, I have faced many changes and challenges, not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.

One of those changes was to make alcohol small and irrelevant in my life. I used to drink daily. When I changed that habit, (which you can read about by clicking the link below),

I became very curious about aging, wellness and living with intention. I was prioritizing holistic health into my life. I started to care more about me in every aspect. .

I recognize that true "well being" encompasses physical, mental emotion, and spiritual dimensions.

Midlife was becoming a time to strive to find balance, wellness and fulfillment, while embracing my natural self.

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that offers alternatives to many western traditions and practices.

The principal of Ayurveda is that each individual is unique and has a distinct mind body constitution know as dosas.

Vata - air and space/ether

Pitta - Fire and Water

Kapha - water and earth

When there is an imbalance in these dosas, it leads to disease and health problems.

The goal of Ayurveda is to restore and maintain the balance of the dosas through personalized lifestyle practices, diet, herbal remedies, and other therapeutic measures.

Ayurveda focuses on prevention and maintaining overall wellness. Utilizing a combination of modalities, including herbal remedies, dietary modification, lifestyle changes, Yaga, mediation and Ayurvedic massages.

Too many times, western medicine has relied on pharmaceutical drugs, surgical interventions, and targeted therapies to manage symptoms and treat diseases.

Ayurveda continues to be widely practiced in India and has gained recognition and popularity worldwide as a complementary and alternative system of medicine.

Maybe you are curious about exploring Ayurveda further.

Begin by asking questions from medical, holistic and other professionals. Research more for yourself, learn something different, for better quality of life.

Remember, it is never to late to change habits that no longer are serving you.

Transformation at any age and at any stage.

Be curious, follow your intuition, keep discovering.

"The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself" Deepak Chopra

Thank you for reading

with love and wonder,

Rebecca

To learn more about me, art workshops or book a free discovery call click on the link:

LEARN MORE HERE

Painting and Cultivating Mindfulness through Art

CURIOUS ON LIFE the blog vol. 16

Rebecca Guevara Wingler

Creator: Color of the Soul Virtual Art Series

Artist/ Creative Life and Certified TNM Coach/ Curious on Life the Podcast

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As a young girl, I would get a feeling inside when ever I was around art or artist at work.

I didn't understand it at the time, I just know the feelings it churned within me.

I was drawn in, and loved to be around this magical energy.

Color, textures, pattern, this language, I understood.

Now, after some reflection, I have an understanding of what was happening inside of me, all those years ago.

I was being brought into the present moment. mindfulness, the place where there is no space and time.

A sort of mystical state that is hard to capture in words.

It feels expansive.

Art is a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness.

The practice of mindfulness is a meditation, a non judgmental awareness of the present moment.

What happens in the body in that moment? You feel less stressed, less anxiety about the future, more in tune, harmonious and balanced.

So how is expressing through painting or any of the arts cultivating mindfulness?

I was curious and here is what I have learned.

As a visual artist, when I'm painting and creating it's encouraging observation, emotional awareness, introspection and a sense of connection.

This last one is very interesting to me, because it's the least expected. .

Art has the power to inspire and uplift the soul, we become more present and focused and attuned.

Mindfulness allows us to understand our emotions without judgment. Engaging in art, stirs emotions that need to be engaged with.

We can develop a greater understanding of our emotional landscape.

Transcendence and Connection,

Art has the potential of transcending us to a sense of connection with something greater.

Painting has the power to inspire awe, wonder and a sense of unity inside.

I can experience moments of transcendence, when painting or creating art. Moments of feeling connected to something larger, mindful and a sense of perspective.

What is happening when I practice mindful meditation and immerse myself in the act of being creative through painting and art?

I develop a deeper understanding of me.

You can do the same, you will foster a deeper understanding of yourself, and the world around you, creating a more mindful way of living.

Here are 3 ways to practice mindfulness through art

1. Engage in observational drawing. Choose an object or a scene and carefully observe its details. Pay attention to shapes, texture and colors. Draw and focus your attention to the present let go of judgments.

2. Practice Art Appreciation. Visit art galleries, museums or exhibitions. Take time to absorb and appreciate the artwork, color details, symbolism, and the emotions they provoke.

3. Expressive Art. Intuitive art allows to freely and spontaneously create art without worrying about the outcome or judgment. Focus on the process rather than the end result. Join a workshop if you are interested and would like community.

These 3 approaches offer different avenues for engaging with art in a mindful manner. Each method encourages us to be present, attentive, and connected with the inner self and the artistic experience.

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Learn more about Virtual Art workshops

HERE:

ART WORKSHOPS/COURSES

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"Live the actual moment, only this actual moment is life."

Thich Nhat Hanh

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Thank you for reading1

With love & wonder

Rebecca

learn more

How to tell people you're taking a break from alcohol?

Why does it feel so awkward? I was curious

CURIOUS ON LIFE: the blog vol. 15

Rebecca Guevara Wingler

Creator of Color: Language of the Soul Watercolor Workshop Series

Artist/ Creative Life & Certified TNM Coach/ Podcaster

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Why was it so weird to announce that I was taking a break from alcohol?

Over 2 years ago now, I made the decision to do just that.

There are ways to do this, but not feeling uncomfortable doing it is another thing all together, at least that was the case for me.

I was a wee bit nervous about letting others know, but why? I chuckle about it now, but it was a thing at first.

An obvious reason I think, is fear of judgment.

I drank red wine daily, every evening for years and years.

So naturally everyone in my orbit knew that about me. I remember wondering.......

Will I be judged or criticized by others?

Will I be viewed as boring, morally superior or uptight now?

Of course no one did, as far as I know, but even if they had, I realize that it says more about their own internal dialog, than about what I'm doing.

And then, there are social norms and expectations?

The pressure to fit in and avoid standing out.

How will I loosen up to feel relaxed and more comfortable without a lubricant?

What if my circle of friends or family feel judged by me, and simply not understanding why I would choose to take a break and not have wine?

Would there be a lack of understanding?

Would they think I have a problem? , hit rock bottom? a DUI.? on and on.

The answer to those questions for me is no, but clearly I knew I was drinking way more than was healthy for me,

I wasn't feeling my best and my creativity and energy where hindered.

Here are somethings to consider:

If you are drinking more than you would like to be, there is something beautiful in questioning that behavior. There really is.

But first, if you are beating yourself up for it, that isn't helpful at all.

We think that if we get mad enough, then change will eventually happen. But that is the worst thing we can do because change in patterns and behavior comes from self compassion, and when we love ourselves.

When you decide you want to experiment and are ready for a break you can work with someone who has been through it.

You can receive one on one support, and/or find a group of like minded people.

Here is an exercise for you... practice saying these sentences.

(These all ended up to be true statements for me!)

I'm not drinking right now because......

I'm taking a break for a health cleanse

I realized I'm happier not drinking

I feel better when I'm not drinking

I look better when I'm not drinking

I'm breaking up with booze

Leaning into discomfort makes us stronger and gives us confidence.

For me I love to say, "It started out an experiment and ended up a lifestyle."

"We can't be afraid of change.

You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in,

but if you never venture out of it,

you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea."

C. Joybell

If you would like more information around sober curiosity and a lifestyle supporting one, you can contact me, and learn more

LEARN MORE

Thank you for reding

with love and wonder,

Rebecca