Welcome to

INDIA

THE 365 DAYS of Ancient wisdom for the Wellbeing of Modern Man  
The keyword of March with Indians: Diversity
Moderated by SASA BOZIC
060/365 Days
Wednesday, 01.03.2023
Ancient Wisdom for the Wellbeing of Modern Man:
WELCOME to Wisdom March and the colourful diversity of the beautiful People of INDIA.

Part 1.
061/365 Days
Thursday, 02.03.2023
March in INDIA
WELCOME to Wisdom March and the colorful diversity of the beautiful People of INDIA.

Part 2.
062/365 Days
Friday, 03.03.2023
On Indian Hospitality
“Atithi Devo Bhava” literally means “The Guest is God”. Integral to Indian culture are the warmth and respect shown to guests both known and unknown. The true nature of this line has faded over time, especially with modernization, but in India, its essence remains: especially in villages and small towns where community life and old traditions continue to exist. Even the poorest household will share their food and give you a roof over your head if the occasion arises.

Also, “Atithi Devo Bhava” has become the tagline of a campaign to welcome tourists to India to make sure the locals treat them as Gods, to develop a sense of responsibility towards the guests, and to ensure this tradition continues.

Thus, in March it is India that welcomes you, dear Green Heart Warrior: to learn about its Ancient Wisdom, and consider if you, as a member of One World, One Family, could implement some of it into your daily well-being practice.

And don’t forget: a single smile can make all the difference.
063/365 Days
Saturday, 04.03.2023
Self-reflection Saturday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
India has greeted us into the month of March with its wholehearted hospitality and made us individually reflect on:

– How do you treat strangers in your city?

– Do you make them feel at home?

And don’t forget: a single smile can make all the difference.
064/365 Days
Sunday, 05.03.2023
Self-reflection Sunday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
Incredible India is opening the doors to its diversity of people, colors, music, Gods, festivals, arts…

– What is the first thought or feeling that comes to you when you think of India?

– Are you open to seeing behind ‘the News and the pictures of the poor’, and experiencing its true essence?
065/365 Days
Monday, 06.03.2023
On Curiosity
Ancient Vedic Indian Wisdom is encapsulated in Jijnasa – the desire of knowing. What is the value of Ancient Wisdom in this day and age? What are the teachings of our ancestors and how are they relevant today?

Jijnasa is the spirit of inquiry; to dig deep and find answers to all our existential and other evolved questions, e.g., Who am I? Why am I here?

To be the best version of oneself is to know oneself. Begin your well-being journey with self-discovery. As Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation said: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

Take time to be with yourself, dear Green Heart Warrior, to meditate, contemplate, journal, etc. Or pursue any other activity that takes you within.
066/365 Days
Tuesday, 07.03.2023
On Fate
“Karma “– Ancient wisdom calls Karma the universal law of cause and effect. It is said to be the consequence of the cumulative actions of our past including our past lives.

Are you conscious of your deeds and actions? Even if not for karma, how do you feel when you help someone in need selflessly? Feed a stray dog? Give a beggar a meal? Give someone a compliment to boost his or her morale?

Every action is counted, even if it is just for you.

The feeling you get when you do a good deed … that’s instant Karma.
067/365 Days
Wednesday, 08.03.2023
On Compassion
Did you ever wonder why India is the country with the highest vegetarian population in the world? “Ahimsa “or nonviolence is the first of the 5 yamas (abstinences). It means nonviolence in all aspects of life towards all living beings. The widespread practice of vegetarianism in the region is said to have stemmed from this ancient belief.

But Ahimsa is not only attributed to the action of hurting and killing but it also speaks to a person’s thoughts and speech and the focus on compassion towards all forms of life.

“Ahimsa” was also the foundation for Mahatma Gandhi’s fight for India’s Independence.

Spend a day thinking consciously and acting compassionately with no negativity. See how it makes you feel and then try and make it a permanent part of you.
068/365 Days
Thursday, 09.03.2023
On Respecting Elders
Ancient Indian traditions believe the body and soul are connected to — and even embodied in — the soles of the feet.

Therefore, Charan Spasht, or the act of touching the feet of elders is an age-old Indian tradition that is considered to be a mark of respect. It is the belief that when a person bows down and touches the feet of their elders, their ego gets suppressed as this gesture indicates respecting the age, experience, achievements, and wisdom of the person whose feet are being touched.

How do you show respect to your elders?

Remember: Wisdom comes with time, but it is not exclusive to the ancient.
069/365 Days
Friday, 10.03.2023
Live interview
Join us, dear Green Heart warrior for our first Live Interview with Reis Magos Santan D’Souza, an Indigenous Guide from the backwaters of Moira village in Goa.

As real as it gets! With Love from India. Yours, Sasa.
070/365 Days
Saturday, 11.03.2023
Self-reflection Saturday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
India is the land of Diversity in every sense of the word.

– How do you understand Diversity in your world?

– Is it connected to inclusion?

– Are you unjudgmentally open to the fact that we are ALL Human snowflakes, different from each other in the best possible way? Are you aware how awesome that is?
071/365 Days
Sunday, 12.03.2023
Self-reflection Sunday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
Namaste and happy SUNday, dear Green Heart Warrior. In March, we are traveling through India. Have you visited Incredible India yet?

If yes, please share a Postcard – your favorite pic with us. Let’s exchange experiences.
072/365 Days
Monday, 13.03.2023
On Respect
Thanks to the proliferation of Yoga throughout the world, gestures like Namaste or folding your palms together in front of your chest as a form of salutation have gained prominence.

Although used casually as a form of greeting nowadays, there remains a spiritual significance in this humble gesture. In Sanskrit, “Namas” means “Bow” and “Te” means “You”. Together they mean “I bow to you” or to be more precise “I bow to the divine in you”. By doing this gesture, you identify as one consciousness and not separate egos.

Namaste, dear Green Heart Warrior. WE bow to the divine in YOU.
Please, pass it forward to at least one person today.
073/365 Days
Tuesday, 14.03.2023
On Meditation
Om or AUM is said to be the encapsulated sound of the universe. Most Hindu mantras start with this chant. They believe that by chanting OM, the mind becomes aligned with the breath, which enables a person to get into an elevated state of consciousness called Samadhi.

Find a quiet place and sit straight.

Begin chanting, starting with the “A,” holding the “U” a little longer, then ending on the “M,” as the exhale of your breath ends.

Ideally, we would practice it for 5-10 minutes a day. But even 5 times will do as we start 😉.
074/365 Days
Wednesday, 15.03.2023
On Yoga
Developed and practiced for thousands of years, Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” meaning “to Unite”. The fundamental aim of the practice is to create a union of Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Yoga is more than just a set of physical practices. Said to be over 5000 years old, it is one of the oldest and most complex spiritual philosophies. Yoga has been in terpreted in so many ways over the years from the ancients to the modern gurus showing us that Yoga is a lifestyle, and its teachings can be applied in all walks of life.

Sit with your back straight, close your eyes, breathe slowly, and stay present. How long are you able to do it without your mind wandering? To bring yoga into your life is to begin the process of self-discovery.

Enjoy the journey, dear Green Heart Warrior.
075/365 Days
Thursday, 16.03.2023
On Yoga
While not practical, let alone easy in today’s age, the eight limbs of yoga as prescribed by ancient seer Patanjali (authority of Raja Yoga) are in essence a guide to reach the ultimate unity of mind, body, and soul. The steps are as follows:

1. Yama (abstinence),
2. Niyama (observance),
3. Asana (yoga postures),
4. Pranayama (breath control),
5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses),
6. Dharana (concentration),
7. Dhyana (meditation) and
8. Samadhi (absorption).

We can slowly try to practice some of the above; trusting the benefits on our well-being will do the rest.
076/365 Days
Friday, 17.03.2023
Live interview
Join us, dear Green Heart Warrior, for our second Live Interview on YOGA with Dr. Mansi Mahajan, Yogini, Wellness Coach and CEO at The House of Kapaali.

With Love from India. Yours, Sasa.
077/365 Days
Saturday, 18.03.2023
Self-reflection Saturday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
This week we have talked about the famous Indian greeting called NAMASTE and its original meaning being: “My Soul bows to your Soul” also interpreted as “I bow to the divine in you”.

– How do you greet people?
– Do you see them for who they truly are?

Try to greet people with this new understanding and notice the deep connections that you make.
078/365 Days
Sunday, 19.03.2023
Self-reflection Sunday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
Quoting B. K. S. Iyengar, an Indian teacher and popularizer of Yoga, the ancient system of Indian philosophy:

“The light that yoga sheds on life is something special. It is transformative. It does not change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.”

– Do you practice any form of yoga?
– How was your experience?
– If not, would you give it a try?
079/365 Days
Monday, 20.03.2023
On Ayurveda
Ayurveda (Ayur – life; Veda – knowledge) is a natural system of medicine from the Vedic period in Ancient India dating back over 3000 years ago. The three pillars of health according to Ayurveda are prescribed as Aahara (Diet), Nidra (Proper Sleep), and Brahmacharya (Abstinence). One lesson here is to lead a balanced life in order to maintain good health.

According to Ayurveda, to have a healthy body and mind, you must have a balance of the 5 elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth. The combination of these elements gives rise to the three doshas or the primary constitutional energies of the body (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) which in essence drive a person’s health.

A person’s physical and mental characteristics are due to the Doshas, and various types of issues are down to an imbalance of these Doshas. By following the correct diet, work, and lifestyle habits based on your constitution (Dosha prevalence), you can achieve optimum wellness and balance of body and mind.

Join us on Friday, for a Live Interview with an Ayurvedic doctor from Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh.
080/365 Days
Tuesday, 21.03.2023
On Pranayama
Today we are going to dive into Pranayama, dear Green Heart warrior. The practices of breath control for mental and physical wellness.

“Prana” = Life Energy and “Yama” = Control. This is one of the most important tools of Yoga, involving a series of breathing exercises and practices that help to detoxify and strengthen the body and mind.

Breath is life. Learn how to master it. Sit in a quiet space and close your eyes. Take a deep breath into your abdomen. Feel the air flow into your nostrils and when you breathe out, feel the air flowing out through your nostrils. That’s the basic principle of Mindfulness. Continue for 2-3 minutes every day and try to be truly present. Let us know how it goes.
081/365 Days
Wednesday, 22.03.2023
On Fasting

“Vrat” or Fasting – Traditionally in India, fasting has been done for religious reasons to give gratitude to the gods and goddesses, to cleanse sins, etc.

 

But in recent years, the health benefits of fasting have become widely known. From weight loss to healing cancer, the advantages are immense.

 

How are your food habits, dear Green Heart Warrior? Do you eat your food consciously?

 

That’s one of the first questions an Ayurvedic doctor will ask you, explaining the highest importance of intake and digestion afterward. Healthy digestion, healthy mind – they say in Ayurveda.

082/365 Days
Thursday, 23.03.2023
On Cleanliness

“Saucha” (Cleanliness) – It’s an Ancient Indian concept that refers to the cleanliness and purity of mind and body. Daily ablutions to cleanse one’s body along with Yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditation cultivate internal purity. To reach this state of mind and body, it is important that you keep your surroundings clean as well.

 

Are you able to daily clear the clutter around you, dear Green Heart Warrior?

 

Ending the day with a clear mind, to rejuvenate the body and the Soul with calm, deep sleep?

083/365 Days
Friday, 24.03.2023
Live interview

Join us, dear Green Heart Warrior for our third Live Interview on AYURVEDA with Dr. Tejo Lakshman, an Ayurvedic Doctor from the RAO Ayurveda & Panchakarma Center in Puttaparthi.

 

Enjoy. With Love from India. Yours, Sasa.

084/365 Days
Saturday, 25.03.2023
Self-reflection Saturday with the keyword of the month: Diversity

Have you heard about Ayurveda before? For one, there are many online tests you can take to find out which body type you are, and from there take a deep dive to see what is good for you and what isn’t according to Ayurveda.

 

You can find one test designed by the well-known spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from The Art of Living Foundation, here: https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/ayurveda/which-ayurveda-type-are-you-quiz.

 

Enjoy your Saturday, dear Green Heart Warrior.

085/365 Days
Sunday, 26.03.2023
Self-reflection Sunday with the keyword of the month: Diversity
Breath is life, was one of the key messages this week. And of course, we know that, but do we really KNOW it? Stress often makes us take shallow breaths, preventing the lungs to clear out the toxins that can settle in the deepest parts of the lungs. To clear them out, we need to go outside, into nature, and consciously deepen our inhale, and extend our exhale.

– Is there any breathing method that you have been introduced to so far?
– Is there anything you could do to consciously connect to your breath more?
086/365 Days
Monday, 27.03.2023
On Eating with Hands

In Vedic tradition, the five fingers of the hand represent the five elements (Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Space). Traditionally and to a great extent even today, people in India eat with their hands because the elements within them begin to transform the food and make it digestible even before it reaches the mouth. It makes the food easier to digest and energizes it. In addition, some claim that the food tastes better than if using cutlery.

 

Vedic prayer

“Karagre vasate Laksmih karamule Sarasvati Karamadhye tu Govindah prabhate karadarsanam,”

 

“On the tips of my fingers is Goddess Laksmi, on the base of my fingers is Goddess Sarasvati, in the middle of my fingers is Lord Govinda. In this manner, I look at my hands.”

 

Ultimately, your health and well-being are in your hands, the Elders of India said, so use your hands with belief and gratitude.

087/365 Days
Tuesday, 28.03.2023
About Indian Cows

The Holy Cow or “Gaumata” – In Hinduism, the cow symbolizes love, fertility, and bountifulness. Because of the religious connection, beef is not a common source of meat in India, and is banned in most parts of the country.

 

Beyond beef and milk, the benefits of cows are now trending in other parts of the world. In the west, “cow hugging” therapies are gaining traction where people cuddle cows to provide comfort and release trauma. They say that such therapy boosts happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine which are good for people’s mental and physical health.

 

How about trying this therapy out and seeing for yourself whether it works and whether there is more to the humble cow than meets the eye 😉? Talking about Indian humor, also…

088/365 Days
Wednesday, 29.03.2023
On Self-Discipline

“Tapas” – Self-Discipline – It is about a disciplined approach to your practice to burn off mental impurities and emerge as a master of the chosen practice or path.

 

As the saying goes “Practice makes perfect”. Whether your path is spiritual or not, whatever you give your time and effort to, will bear results.

 

The Elders said that any skill you spend 10,000 hours practicing will make you an expert by the end of it. This is only another way of saying that self-discipline and focus are of the utmost importance to self-mastery, resulting in personal well-being. The fact is: We can’t change the world; we can only change our perception of it. And practicing Compassion is a good start.

089/365 Days
Thursday, 30.03.2023
On Contentment

The Ancient Indian concept of “Santosha”, meaning being Content and Satisfied, is an acceptance of one’s circumstances – ultimately, it is inner bliss. It is the process of acceptance of the situation, understanding the situation, and detachment from the situation. It is conquering the cravings of superficial desires.

 

Are you content with your life, dear Green Heart Warrior?

Practice gratitude at least once a day either when you wake up or before you go to sleep.

 

Be grateful for what you have, and life will give you more to be grateful for.

090/365 Days
Friday, 31.03.2023
Live interview

Join us, dear Green Heart Warrior for our last Live Interview in our Tribal Wisdom project by and with Anu Malhotra, one of India’s most acclaimed filmmakers (director, producer & screenwriter), with 18 national and 2 international awards to her credit.

 

Meeting Anu was like meeting a Soul Sister and one of the most rewarding moments life has brought upon me. Watching the interview, you will see what I mean. With Love from India. Yours, Sasa.

091/365 Days
Saturday, 01.04.2023
GOODBYE INDIA

Dear Green Heart Warrior, with Friday’s last March post and Anu’s interview, we are saying goodbye to India and are flying over to The Gulf region of the United Arab Emirates into another Ancient Wisdom Month, full of Bedouin stories, desert sand, wind, sun, and camels.

 

Thank you for being with us and please stay tuned. It’s going to be so much fun. Love to ALL.