Natural Sleep Essences – Ojas, Tejas, Prana
Prana, Tejas and Ojas are subtle life force essences that work together to promote health and vitality.
When in balance you’ll experience deep, profound, healthy sleep. When out of balance, you’ll experience disrupted unsatisfying sleep.
These essences also support personal growth and spiritual development. They are interlinked and work together magically to create transformation. A healthy, happy human being with purpose sleeps well at night.
Ojas
Ojas is the essence that’s initially created from the transformation of food after it’s been transformed through the various tissues of the body. Without a strong and robust digestive system Ojas will be of inferior quality which will compromise good health.
In the Sleepology by Anandi® methodology, digestive fire, known as agni, is given the utmost importance in the ‘Body’ principle. The digestive fire has to be strong and efficient before we move to the ‘Rejuvenation’ principle where we add extra nourishment aimed at developing healthy Ojas.
Ojas is the essence of the immune system, endurance and primal vigour.
One could also call it our energy reserve or sap of life. It protects and strengthens the tissues of the body and maintains Agni. It is said that there are 8 drops of Ojas that resides in the heart. For optimum health, and ultimately optimum sleep, it is imperative to maintain the quality of these 8 drops.
Ojas is the subtle energy of water and the underlying essence of all our physical capabilities and developing higher states of consciousness.
Ojas gives stability and support. It is also the deeper, subtle energy of the breath.
When Ojas is destroyed, you die
Ojas is decreased by emotions such as anger, resentment, worry and anxiety. It is depleted through overwork. Junk food and unhealthy lifestyle also deplete Ojas.
Compromised Ojas causes more anxiety, fear and lack of strength. Faith and patience become elusive. Premature aging will occur internally and externally.
Ojas is replenished by:
Ayurveda has particular foods and tonic herbs dedicated to promoting Ojas such as Chyawanprash, milk and ghee together with herbs like Ashwagandha and Shatavari.
Yoga, silence, meditation and devotional practices also promote Ojas.
Signs of healthy Ojas
Endurance, stamina, peace, confidence and the ability to handle stress
Deep restful sleep and the stability of the senses
Tejas
Tejas is Ojas converted into heat, warmth and vitality. It is the endocrine system, inner radiance and vitality. It’s the warmth and light of perception and which allows wisdom and sharp perception. It governs metabolism and gives us courage, will power, and fearlessness. It is creative vision and the ability to see the path ahead and focus on our projects. It also gives warmth to the blood.
Tejas destroys and burns toxins and is directly connected to our ability to fight disease and infections.
Tejas is developed by yogic practises such as mantra, concentration and Jnana yoga (yoga of wisdom). It is also developed through pranayama as it increases the vitality of the blood.
When Tejas is able to sustain the heat and light of the inner flame, Prana comes forth.
Prana
Prana comes from Ojas that has been transformed by Tejas. It is the primal life energy, guiding force of intelligence, enthusiasm and creativity. Prana rides on the energy and movement of the cosmic breath.
It’s our ability to be creative and guides us along the spiritual path.
Prana in the mind allows it to move and respond intelligently to the challenges of life and maintains emotional harmony and balance. Prana is the vital energy we take in, not only through food, but through liquids and, of course, breathing. Prana is carried by the fluids in our body, blood and plasma.
Without sufficient prana we suffer from depression and lack of direction.
Prana is necessary to provide enthusiasm, creativity and adaptability necessary for us to fulfil our purpose. When Prana is low we lack energy and motivation.
The pineal and pituitary glands (secretes hormones from the endocrine system) are the master controllers of growth and intelligence and are prana predominant.
The pituitary gland and hypothalamus are intimately connected and therefore collectively have an effect on sleep. Having sufficient prana is fundamental to sleeping well.
The Amygdala is our stress response part of the brain and is is tucked in between the hypothalamus and the hippocampus. When there’s insufficient prana, we are more susceptible to fear, anxiety and insecurity.
The pineal gland secretes melatonin in response to the light dark cycle which is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. It also controls body temperature, hunger, attachment behaviours, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian rhythms.
With sufficient Prana, Tejas and Ojas you’ll experience deep, restorative sleep.
Ojas is fundamental for the lubrication of the nerve channels
Nervous breakdowns or exhaustion occurs through low ojas.
When Prana is deranged, the breath becomes shallow or disturbed
One must work on Ojas first before practising Pranayama.
Many people want to practise advanced pranayama when they are completely depleted. This will not be conducive to a calm mind. Practises must be done in the right order!
Practises like restorative yoga, mantra and Yoga Nidra would be much more appropriate to build Ojas.
Prana is developed through pranayama and meditation. When we increase inner space, prana is able to come forth.
Prana is held by Ojas, if we try to increase Prana without the energy to ground it, we will disturb the balance of the mind and nervous system. One must have sufficient Ojas to sustain the practise.
Tejas also rests on Ojas which is it’s fuel, if we try to increase the discrimination faculty of the mind, we will become agitated and overcritical.
With sufficient Ojas one can develop Tejas in order to utilise it. This requires practise, will, insight and discernment. Only then can one develop prana.
Prana gives emotional harmony, balance, enthusiasm and joy
Tejas gives courage and fearlessness
Ojas provides peace, love, calm and contentment