As I watched my beautiful new grandson breastfeed recently, I noticed how his face took on a beautiful glow after eating. This is because breast milk immediately makes Ojas in the body. When we eat food, if we have excellent digestion, and the food is very pure (not frozen, canned, microwaved, processed or leftover) then it is subsequently absorbed through the body’s 7 tissues (blood plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and reproductive fluids). Each tissue is transformed into the next, and ultimately Ojas is the finest product produced at the end of the 7th tissue.
It has been said that all of Ayurveda is aimed at maximizing the production and maintenance of Ojas. It gives a radiant glow, imparts immunity and balanced and blissful emotions. It contributes to one’s inner spiritual development. Foods, besides breast milk, that contribute to the formation of Ojas are very high quality boiled milk, ghee, dates, soaked and peeled almonds, and a diet of organic foods that are easy to digest.
Just as ghee is the essence of butter, Ojas is the essence of all the bodily tissues. Once we swallow the food, it travels through the digestive tract, breaking down into smaller and smaller particles as it goes through this long channel. It is then absorbed into the bloodstream and goes through those vessels or channels. It ultimately becomes tears, urine, sweat, lymphatic fluids, etc, all traveling through delicate microchannels, until it comes out the other end, again through channels, into the bowel movement, urine, and sweat.
If the food is nourishing, light and easily digestible, it travels through these channels without obstructing them in any way. However, poor quality food which has been processed, canned, microwaved, frozen or leftover produces ama, which clogs these delicate channels and brings poor health. Foods that cause ama are cold milk, hard aged cheeses, red meats, nut butters, and tofu, among others.
Italy was voted the healthiest country last year. Why? Because they are very particular about their food. They cook fresh from scratch everyday. They go home for a 2-hour lunch break to cook their lunch. They are very concerned about the production of their olive oil. They radiate Ojas just as anyone who eats a diet of fresh food cooked that day will. As food sits leftover, it loses its life energy and promotes the production of ama, contributing to ill health over time.
So, if you invest a little time to obtain fresh, wholesome foods and cook a little each day, you will be rewarded with lots of Ojas, bringing abundant health and immunity to disease.