Launching a Vedika Blog <seeking your contributions!>

[Ripa Ajmera]

Dear Mitras,

I'm very happy to announce that we are going to launch a blog to be linked into Vedika's main website. I think it will be a compelling way to communicate the essence of what Vedika is and bring Vedika to life more for a wider audience of people who can benefit from all the wonderful resources and experiences we have all been blessed to receive. 

I would love it if you can be the first to submit stories of your personal healing and growth through Vedika and Ayurveda. This is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your experiences, a special swadhyay that will ultimately become an offering of seva, to spread the flame of Vedika's fire that we are all co-creating. A blog I wrote about teaching yoga and meditation to juvenile hall youth once got picked up by an NBC producer, who wrote to me asking to feature my work on national television. While it didn't feel like the right timing/alignment for me to follow through (with values alignment being far more important to me than fame), I share this example to illustrate how one really never knows what the ripple effect of this kind of storytelling can be! 

As future ambassadors of health, healing and wellbeing, this kind of reflection is also an amazing way to gain conviction. As Shunyaji once said, "Silence leads to reflection, reflection leads to conviction, conviction leads to courage and courage leads to expression, which creates more courage and conviction" - and so a beautiful cycle of personal leadership is born! 

The fact that we have chosen to be a part of this committee reflects our love of the great art and science of Ayurveda, in the pure way we have received it from Vedika. Now, we are each called upon to give expression to this passion, to tap into some inner stillness and silence from which beautiful reflection(s) can emerge. 

Submissions will be edited, for grammatical purposes and to ensure Vedika is represented in a way that reflects Vedic values.   

The more impossible/incurable/etc. problems you may have come into Vedika with, the more they can possibly inspire people who may be struggling with similar (or even easier to treat) situations. For example, I am looking forward to reflecting more on how I've been able to  address the root causes of an eating disorder through Ayurveda (something I've never heard of anyone truly recovering from - and had previously poured through many books and websites to try to find an example to emulate). 

In addition to personal stories, we also welcome short video clips (five mins or less) like our Mahi gave a wonderful example of, poems, creative recipes (like Ayurvedic burritos!), seasonal health tips you have tried with success, what inspires you most about Ayurveda, your goals for spreading it (Aparna had written something along these lines for a recent Samvaad), etc. I may also ask to interview some of you about various topics (feel free to volunteer for this, too, especially if you feel hesitant about writing). 

Use your imagination and enjoy this opportunity for creativity and seva! Looking forward to receiving your submissions!! Feel free to also ask any questions!

Love and Blessings,

Ripa