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"To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
The body is the vehicle for this life. It must be cared for with simplicity and respect — given proper food, shelter, clothing, and rest. When the body is in good condition, the inner journey becomes much easier. A strong, balanced body supports a clear mind and a steady heart.
This is not about obsession or overindulgence in the body, but about maintaining it wisely, like tending to a boat before setting sail. If the ship is seaworthy, the journey can unfold smoothly. If it is neglected, the path becomes unnecessarily difficult.
Treat the body as a sacred instrument — not as who you are, but as a support for realizing who you are. Care for it, honor it, but do not be enslaved by it. Let it serve its highest purpose: helping you discover the truth beyond it.
This guide will go over some of the main areas you might address.
"We must take care of the body by giving it food, shelter, and clothing. This is necessary because the journey to the Self is only easy when the body is healthy. If a ship is not in need of repair, if it is in good condition, we can easily use it to go on a journey."
The body is not a collection of isolated systems, but a single, intelligent whole. Every part influences the others—when one area is supported, the entire system benefits. The heart does not beat without breath. Muscles do not grow without nourishment. Skin does not glow without rest. There is no need to obsess over individual components when the foundation is balance.
"You need a body that is in good working order in order to realize the Self. Realizing the Self is the only useful and worthy activity in this life, so keep the body in good repair till that goal is achieved.
Afterwards, the Self will take care of everything and you won't have to worry about anything anymore. In fact, you won't be able to because the mind that previously did the worrying, the choosing and the discriminating will no longer be there. In that state, you won't need it and you won't miss it."
Simple habits, done with care, transform the body into a steady, reliable instrument for inner work. These practices are not about optimization or longevity. They are about clarity. When the body is clear, life moves through it with less resistance.
"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything."
The body is designed to move. Walking, stretching, lifting, and flowing through space keeps circulation strong, joints fluid, and the nervous system regulated. You don’t need to “work out”—just move naturally, regularly, and with awareness. Exercise is not punishment for the body; it’s a gift to it.
Walking is the most natural form of movement. It’s rhythmic, grounding, and accessible to nearly everyone. A daily walk restores mental clarity, supports cardiovascular health, and brings the body back into a calm, steady rhythm.
Stretching keeps the body open and soft. Gentle mobility work—whether structured or intuitive—helps release stored tension, improve flexibility, and maintain ease in the joints and muscles. It’s a way of listening to the body and keeping energy flowing freely.
Lifting and resistance training build strength and resilience. This doesn’t require heavy weights or a gym—it can be as simple as bodyweight movements or lifting natural objects. Strength supports stability, posture, and long-term vitality.
Cardiovascular activity anything that elevates the heart rate and gets the blood flowing—helps the body detoxify, sharpens mental focus, and boosts mood through natural endorphins. This can be as simple as brisk walking, cycling, running, or swimming.
The key is to move regularly, naturally, and in a way that feels good. When movement is integrated into daily life, the body stays supple, strong, and alive—without needing to be pushed or punished.
"Walking is man's best medicine. If you are in a bad mood go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk."
In many traditions, food is seen not just as fuel for the body, but as nourishment for the mind and spirit. What we eat directly influences our clarity, energy, and emotional state.
In yogic philosophy, food is classified into three categories—sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic—each influencing the mind in different ways.
Sattvic foods are pure, fresh, and natural — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and herbal teas. These foods promote mental clarity, calmness, and balance. They support a peaceful, steady mind, ideal for meditation, self-inquiry, and spiritual growth.
Rajasic foods — spicy, overly salty, caffeinated, or heavily processed items — stimulate restlessness and agitation. While they may boost energy and drive temporarily, they can lead to emotional turbulence, impatience, and distraction.
Tamasic foods — stale, heavy, processed, or intoxicating substances like fried junk foods, excessive sweets, and alcohol — dull the mind and weigh down the body. They foster inertia, confusion, lethargy, and disconnection from higher awareness.
Sattvic nourishment is not about rigid rules; it’s about supporting a clear, vibrant mind and a healthy body as the foundation for deeper inner work. A calm body leads to a calm mind — and a calm mind opens the door to realization.
This guide will walk you through the key areas to explore.
"When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need."
Sleep is not a luxury; it is essential for the well-being of both body and mind. In deep, restful sleep, the mind naturally lets go of its constant activity and returns to stillness. In this way, sleep mirrors the deeper restfulness we seek through meditation and self-realization.
When the body is tired and the mind is restless, clarity becomes difficult. Fatigue clouds perception, stirs emotional reactivity, and strengthens identification with thought. A well-rested body supports a steady, alert mind — one that can observe, inquire, and abide in presence without effort.
Consistent, restorative sleep aligns you with the body’s natural intelligence. It allows the mind to settle, emotions to balance, and awareness to shine more clearly.
Rest is not laziness. Rest is part of living in harmony with life itself.
"Sleep is the best meditation."
Saunas, baths, and cold plunges reset the nervous system, flush the lymph, and awaken circulation. They also strengthen your tolerance for discomfort—a key part of inner resilience. These practices work best when done with intention, not force. Listen to your body.
Heat (sauna, hot baths, steam) relaxes the body deeply. It soothes the nervous system, helps muscles release tension, supports detoxification, and promotes restful sleep. Regular exposure to heat can improve cardiovascular health and create a meditative, inward space for stillness and reflection.
Cold (cold plunges, cold showers, immersion in natural water) sharpens the body’s alertness and strengthens its capacity to regulate stress. When done with care, cold exposure trains the nervous system to stay calm in discomfort, improves circulation, and builds physical and mental resilience.
"In the sauna, we find not only heat but also healing, as the sweat purifies both body and mind."
Breath is the bridge between the body and the mind. Its rhythm mirrors your inner state—shallow and fast when anxious, deep and slow when calm. By tuning into your breath, you tune into the present.
You don’t need techniques or practices—just awareness. Breathing is always here, quietly offering balance, clarity, and peace.
"Regulate the breathing, and thereby control the mind."
"Nature is the best prescription for a weary soul. Take a dose of fresh air and sunshine daily."
"Do your best and then relax. Let things go on in a natural way, rather than force them."
What enters the body becomes the body. Food becomes cells. Water becomes blood. Thoughts shape the nervous system. The quality of what you consume—physically, mentally, and emotionally—directly influences your vitality.
"You become what you give your attention to."
Dopamine also plays a vital role in physical health. It affects movement, energy, appetite, sleep, and hormonal balance. A dysregulated dopamine system—often caused by overstimulation, poor diet, or lack of movement—can lead to fatigue, anxiety, cravings, and even burnout.
Just as overindulgence in stimulants disrupts mental clarity, it also wears down the body. A routine that includes rest, simplicity, and balanced stimulation supports a healthier dopamine baseline. This allows energy, motivation, and emotional stability to return naturally, without dependency.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
Posture is more than just how you stand—it’s how your body aligns in every position, whether sitting, standing, or moving. It affects not only your musculoskeletal health but also your breath, circulation, and energy flow. Proper posture supports the spine’s natural curves, reduces strain on muscles and joints, and promotes a sense of groundedness and confidence.
"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."
The mind and body are deeply intertwined, each shaping the other. What you do with your body directly influences your mental state. This isn’t just about how we sit or stand — it’s about how we inhabit our bodies in every moment.
When you hold yourself in a posture of empowerment — standing tall, shoulders back, chest open — you naturally begin to feel more confident, capable, and grounded. These simple shifts in body language can create an immediate change in how you experience life.
Conversely, when you slouch or adopt a posture of defeat, it can drain your energy and cloud your thinking. The body sends signals to the brain, shaping your feelings in ways you might not always realize. For example, when your body feels tense or tight, it often triggers a cascade of negative emotions, like sadness or anxiety. But by choosing to move, stretch, or shift posture, you can release these emotions and feel lighter.
Just like we can influence the body through mindfulness and posture, we can also influence our emotions. Simply standing tall or moving with intention can bring a sense of calm and confidence. And when you let your body “speak” with movements that embody joy, you might find your mind lightening up right along with it.
By listening to these body signals, and responding with awareness, you can transform how you feel. It’s a practice of tuning into the body’s wisdom, and letting that guide you toward more balanced, centered living.
"Your body shapes your mind. Your mind shapes your behavior. And your behavior shapes your future."
Your mouth is not separate from your body—it’s an entry point to your whole system.
The health of your teeth, gums, and tongue reflects and influences your overall well-being. Chronic inflammation in the mouth has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even cognitive decline. What begins as plaque can ripple through the bloodstream, quietly fueling larger imbalances.
"You don’t have to brush all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep."
"Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open."
True well-being is not achieved by treating symptoms alone, but by supporting the body, mind, and energy as an interconnected whole.
Healing doesn’t always come from doing more, but from remembering what we’ve forgotten: the body knows how to restore itself when given the right conditions.
Here are some to consider:
1. Acupuncture An ancient Chinese practice involving the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body. It aims to balance the body’s energy flow, or “qi,” and is commonly used for pain management, stress reduction, and improving overall health.
2. Chiropractic Care A therapy focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly related to the spine. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments and manipulations to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and support the nervous system.
3. Massage Therapy Involves the manipulation of soft tissues to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Different techniques like Swedish, deep tissue, and sports massage address various physical ailments and aid in recovery.
4. Herbal Medicine Uses plant-based remedies to treat a range of health conditions. Herbs like turmeric, ginger, and echinacea possess anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant properties, often complementing conventional treatments.
5. Yoga and Tai Chi Mind-body practices that combine physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to enhance flexibility, strength, and balance. Both practices reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and support physical health.
6. Homeopathy A holistic system of medicine that uses highly diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural healing responses. Homeopathic remedies are tailored to individual symptoms and used for conditions like allergies, migraines, and digestive issues.
7. Aromatherapy Utilizes essential oils extracted from plants to promote health and well-being. Inhaling or applying these oils can alleviate stress, enhance mood, and support physical healing processes. Popular oils include lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
8. Naturopathy Combines traditional healing methods with modern scientific knowledge, emphasizing natural treatments like nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies. Naturopaths focus on treating the root causes of health issues and supporting the body’s self-healing abilities.
9. Reiki An energy healing practice where practitioners use their hands to channel healing energy into the body. Reiki aims to balance the body’s energy, promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support physical and emotional healing.
10. Mind-Body Practices Techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, and biofeedback focus on the connection between the mind and body. These practices help manage stress, reduce pain, and improve overall health by promoting emotional balance and relaxation.
11. Reflexology Involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, believed to correspond to different organs and systems in the body. Reflexology promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and supports overall well-being.
12. Ayurveda A traditional Indian system of medicine that uses herbs, dietary changes, and lifestyle practices to balance the body’s energies (doshas). Ayurvedic treatments are personalized to support health and well-being based on one’s body constitution.
13. Cupping Therapy An ancient practice where suction cups are placed on the skin to stimulate blood flow, release muscle tension, and promote healing. Cupping is often used in conjunction with acupuncture or massage therapy.
14. Sound Therapy Uses sound waves, music, or specific vibrations to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support emotional well-being. Instruments like Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, and gongs are commonly used in sound healing sessions.
15. Earthing, or grounding, involves direct physical contact with the Earth’s surface—like walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand. This practice is believed to reduce inflammation, improve sleep, regulate circadian rhythms, and support nervous system balance by allowing the body to absorb the Earth’s natural electrical charge. While scientific research is still emerging, many report a sense of calm, clarity, and vitality after spending time grounded in nature.
"The greatest medicine of all is to teach people how not to need it."
Habits and addictions can quietly stand in the way of self-realization—not because they’re inherently wrong, but because they keep attention trapped in unconscious patterns. They reinforce the illusion of being a separate self who needs to seek relief, pleasure, or distraction to feel whole.
Even subtle habits—like compulsive thinking, endless scrolling, or the need for validation—pull the mind outward, away from stillness. Instead of resting in presence, attention becomes caught in loops of wanting, avoiding, or numbing—reinforcing identification with the mind, body, and emotions.
But self-realization isn’t about fixing or perfecting that identity; it’s about clearly seeing that you are not that identity at all. You are the awareness in which all of these patterns appear and dissolve.
As awareness deepens, habits and addictions begin to loosen their grip—not through force or resistance, but through clarity. What once seemed compelling begins to lose its charge. The urge may still arise, but now there is space around it. You no longer act unconsciously. Instead, you are simply aware.
Some patterns may dissolve entirely, while others may linger for a while, but they no longer have power over you. Even when they arise, you know they are not you. Their hold weakens as you stop feeding them with identification.
What replaces these habits is a growing sense of peace and presence. You no longer seek fulfillment outside yourself. The stillness you were searching for was never missing—it was always present, simply overlooked.
Check out this guide to Habits to explore everything in more detail.
"The greatest error of a man is to think that he is weak by nature, evil by nature. Every man is divine and strong in his real nature. What are weak and evil are his habits, his desires and thoughts, but not himself."
After awakening, the body enters a phase of subtle and profound transformation. It may feel as if a veil has been lifted, and the energy coursing through the body becomes more apparent, often with heightened sensitivity. This new frequency can bring unexpected sensations, as the body adjusts to a higher level of awareness.
As the body recalibrates, it’s essential to prioritize grounding and nervous system regulation. Without grounding, the heightened energy can feel destabilizing or even overwhelming. Practices that help regulate the nervous system become vital at this stage to maintain balance.
After awakening, the body is adjusting to a new frequency. This process is not always linear, and the energetic shifts can bring up old tensions or unprocessed emotions. There may be moments when energy feels overwhelming, and during these times, it’s crucial to rest, integrate, and not push forward too quickly. Patience is key.
"As the opening begins and deepens, the body may go through a tremendous amount. Kundalini is usually said to be responsible for these events, but if we just call it the energy of the body, it's easier to talk about. As the opening progresses, the body must readjust. When space opens up, it provides room for the body to re-harmonize and return to its natural state."
In the unfolding of self-realization, both mental patterns and subtle attachments to the body naturally begin to dissolve. Clinging to health, appearance, or ability sustains the illusion of identification with the body, veiling the direct recognition of what is always here—awareness itself.
Ultimately, self-realization is the transcendence of identification with the body, the mind, and all transient experiences. The body—though magnificent—is impermanent: it ages, shifts, and will one day dissolve. But what you truly are—awareness, presence—remains untouched, unborn, and eternal.
"The body is a beautiful instrument; it is a vessel for the spirit. But it is not the spirit. The spirit is beyond the body. Recognize the body as a tool for experience and do not let it define you."
"You are not the body. The body comes and goes. You are the witnessing consciousness in which all things arise."
Live naturally. If you enjoy movement, exercise, or physical care, do it with presence and ease. If certain practices feel forced or ego-driven, let them go without guilt. The body is here to serve presence, not become its prison.
"Our identification with the mind and body is the chief reason for our failure to know our Self as we truly are."
“The Self cannot be pierced by weapons or burned by fire; water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable, and everlasting.”
Check out this playlist on Death to explore more.
"There is neither birth nor death. They pertain only to the body. You are the witness of the body’s birth and death. That which is born and dies is not you."
"Let the body and mind do their function. But you, remain as you are."
Attachment to the body can take many forms:
These tendencies are not to be repressed or judged. Instead, observe them with calm presence. See how they arise, what fuels them, and how they lose power when met without identification.
"It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health, but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it. And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer. Why not remain forever joyful in the Self?"
With this shift, the body no longer defines your identity. It becomes transparent, an instrument for expressing love, stillness, and truth—not a prison for the ego’s fears or desires. In living from this recognition, peace dawns—not as a state to achieve, but as your natural condition.
"You have long been trapped in the snare of identification with the body. Sever it with the sword of knowledge that 'I am Awareness alone', and be happy."