Coming Back to Your Senses: An Ayurvedic Approach to Sensory Awareness
Dear Beloved One,
It’s easy to become disconnected from the deeper, more subtle aspects of ourselves. One of the most profound ways to reconnect to our true nature is through the senses. Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, teaches us that we are deeply interconnected with the world around us — and much of this connection happens through our senses. We are what we consume, not just through our food, but through everything we see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. Our senses are our gateways to the world, and they play a pivotal role in shaping our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
In Ayurveda, it is said that indriyas (the senses) are the means through which we interact with our environment, and how we process and digest this information impacts our state of balance. To truly "come back to our senses" means to fully awaken and attune ourselves to the present moment — to slow down, to savor life, and to consciously choose what we allow through our senses. By nurturing and cleansing our senses, we restore harmony to our mind and body.
In this blog, we will explore each of the five senses from an Ayurvedic perspective, and how being mindful of what we allow ourselves to consume through these channels can support our overall well-being.
1. Sight: What We See and How It Affects Us
The eyes are often considered the windows to the soul, and in Ayurveda, the sense of sight is deeply connected to both our emotional and physical well-being. The eyes not only help us perceive the world but also influence our mental state. When we flood our vision with harsh, overstimulating, or negative images — whether from excessive screen time, distressing news, or harsh artificial lighting — it disrupts our inner peace and can agitate our mind, especially for those who tend toward Vata imbalances.
To come back to your senses through sight, Ayurveda recommends being mindful of what you choose to gaze upon. Surround yourself with beauty, serenity, and positive images. This could include spending time in nature, placing uplifting or calming images in your living space, or limiting exposure to media that feels jarring or negative. Consider practicing a simple eye exercise like palming or gently massaging the eye area to release tension and relax the eyes.
Practical Tip: Spend time daily in natural surroundings — even a few minutes in a park or by a tree can help you reconnect with the natural world. For those with a Vata constitution, it is especially grounding to connect with the earthy, stabilizing energy of trees and landscapes.
2. Sound: What We Hear and How It Shapes Our Mood
Sound has a profound impact on our emotional state. In Ayurveda, sound is considered an integral part of healing — through sacred vibrations (mantras), music, and the natural sounds of our environment. Disruptive sounds can disturb our peace of mind, while harmonious sounds help us feel grounded, uplifted, and centered.
When we listen to high-stress, chaotic, or dissonant sounds (such as constant noise pollution or negative media), it can lead to agitation in the mind and body, often aggravating Pitta or Vata. Conversely, soothing sounds like gentle music, nature sounds, or chanting can create a sense of calm and well-being.
To return to your senses through sound, consider incorporating healing sounds into your daily routine. This could mean listening to relaxing music, engaging in mantra chanting, or simply spending time in nature where you can hear the wind, birds, and rustling leaves. These sounds help to ground your energy and soothe the nervous system.
Practical Tip: Start your day with a few minutes of chanting, or simply listen to calming music or nature sounds. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed, use sound as a tool to return to balance.
3. Taste: What We Consume and How It Nourishes Us
Taste is the most directly related to nourishment in Ayurveda. What we eat not only affects our physical body but also influences our mind and emotions. The six tastes in Ayurveda — sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent — have distinct effects on our doshas, and consuming too much of one taste can create imbalances.
For example, sweet foods (think sugars and heavy dairy) may pacify Vata but increase Kapha and Pitta. Salty foods can be grounding for Vata but aggravating for Pitta. It is essential to eat in alignment with your constitution and current state of health to maintain balance.
Coming back to your senses through taste involves making conscious food choices and tuning in to how the food you consume makes you feel. Ayurveda encourages mindful eating, where you take time to savor each bite and truly enjoy your meal. Eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, and savoring the flavors not only aids digestion but also nurtures a deeper connection to your body’s needs.
Practical Tip: Try to eat in a calm and peaceful environment, free from distractions. Focus on the flavors, textures, and aromas of your food, and aim for balance in your meals. Include a variety of tastes to nourish your doshas, and avoid overeating.
4. Smell: The Power of Scent to Influence Our State of Being
In Ayurveda, the sense of smell is seen as directly connected to the Prana (life force) and our emotional state. Certain scents have the ability to uplift, relax, or balance us. For example, lavender and sandalwood are calming and grounding, while citrus and peppermint can invigorate and refresh.
The olfactory system is incredibly powerful — smells can trigger memories, emotions, and even physical responses. In the context of Ayurveda, we are advised to use aromas that align with our constitution. A person with a dominant Pitta dosha, for example, may benefit from cooling, calming scents like jasmine or rose, while a Vata type may prefer warm and grounding aromas like cinnamon or sandalwood.
To reconnect with your sense of smell, Ayurveda encourages the use of essential oils, incense, and floral waters. You can also create your own aromatherapy rituals to support specific needs in your body and mind.
Practical Tip: Create a ritual around scent. Whether through diffusing essential oils, applying anointing oils to pulse points, or simply inhaling the scent of flowers or herbs, take a moment to engage with the healing power of smell.
5. Touch: Grounding, Healing, and Connecting with Our Bodies
Touch is one of the most intimate and grounding senses. In Ayurveda, it’s closely tied to our physical well-being and our connection to the earth. The sense of touch can be incredibly healing, as it helps to stimulate circulation, relax the muscles, and calm the nervous system.
To come back to your senses through touch, Ayurveda encourages practices like Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oils), which not only nourishes the skin but also soothes the nervous system, especially for those with Vata imbalances. The act of massaging your body with warm oil helps to reconnect you with your physical form and encourages a sense of grounding and self-care.
Practical Tip: Take a few moments each day to practice Abhyanga or simply give yourself a gentle hand or foot massage. The warmth of the oil and the soothing touch will help balance your energy and deepen your connection to your body.
In Ayurveda, it is said that we "digest" not only our food but everything that we experience through our senses. Whether it’s the sights we behold, the sounds we hear, the food we consume, the scents we breathe, or the touch we experience, all of these impressions create a deep imprint on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
To "come back to our senses" is to return to a place of mindfulness, where we consciously choose what we allow to enter our experience. By engaging with our senses in a more intentional, aware way, we can restore balance to our doshas, nourish our minds, and cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves.
Take a moment each day to pause and attune to your senses. Whether it’s through a moment of quiet reflection, mindful eating, or a simple sensory ritual, remember that you are always in the process of digesting the world around you — so choose wisely, and allow your senses to lead you back to balance and harmony.
All of my love,
Mystic