Ojas

According to Ayurveda, health is determined by the quality and level of Ojas (OH-jas) stored in the body. Ojas has two meanings: physically, it relates to vigor (energy and strength), and spiritually and emotionally, it refers to our expression of consciousness. It governs aging, immunity, skin radiance, energy, mood, sleep, digestion, and spirituality.

Ojas, the most refined and pure by-product of our digestive process, plays a significant role in our health. As food is metabolized and eliminated, nutrients are transformed into the seven Dhatus (tissues) that make up our bodies. The purest and most refined Ojas are then stored in the reproductive system, and the heart, which contributes to our vitality and life force, is nourished.

The process of producing Ojas is complex and closely tied to the digestive process. It begins with the intake of nutritious food, first broken down into a fluid called Rasa. This Rasa is then transformed into blood (Rakta) by enzymes known as Agni or digestive fire. The blood develops into muscle tissue (Mamsa) with the help of muscle enzymes. Subsequently, the muscle tissue converts into fat (Medha) through the action of specific enzymes. The fat then transforms into bone tissue (Asthi), which further transitions into nerve tissue (Majja). The nerve tissue eventually develops into reproductive fluid (Shukra), which is stored as semen and female eggs. Finally, the highest Ojas is released and stored in the heart, nourishing the body's subtle energy, which in turn enhances vigor, vitality, and immunity.

In Western thought, Ojas is believed to be equivalent to the hormone melatonin, produced by the brain's pineal gland. As we age, this gland produces less melatonin, highlighting the importance of maintaining vitality and immunity.

According to Ayurveda, excessive activity and stress deplete Ojas, creating free radicals that cause damage. Our health depends on the body's ability to properly digest not only food but also the constant stream of information and stresses we encounter daily.

Practices that build Ojas include love, acceptance, and service to others. They also encompass being light-hearted, laughing, and having a passion for life. Personal routines such as exercise, yoga, pranayama, and meditation also nourish the body, mind, and spirit. Spending time in nature, getting proper rest and rejuvenation, and eating fresh, wholesome, Sattvic foods are also beneficial.

In Yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are known as Gunas (meaning thread, merit, quality, or attribute). These are initially associated with the movements of the mind and consciousness, but also relate to the qualities of what we ingest and ultimately the production and quality of Ojas. Sattva signifies purity, positivity, balance, and enlightenment. Rajas represents energy, turbulence, activity, and negativity; Tamas is characterized by heaviness, dullness, lethargy, and ignorance.

Regarding food, the Gunas have these qualities:

Sattvic foods purify the body, calm the mind, and promote presence and higher consciousness.

Rajasic foods stimulate the body and mind, but excess can lead to restlessness, irritability, and insomnia.

Tamasic foods are considered dead foods, including animal proteins, stale, frozen, reheated, processed, or preserved foods. These deplete energy and consciousness and may contribute to disease.