A sattvic state of mind is one that is naturally calm, clear, and at peace. But when the world tugs at our minds and our egos, it makes them anxious, wild, and scattered making  it difficult to feel peace and stability within. In her Ayurvedic Cookbooks, Kate O’Donnell uses food preparation as a way to harness this undisturbed, sattvic state of mind that we desire to cultivate. Today, Kate and I chat about the importance of our daily habits in terms of sukha sadhana and how to bring about a clear, calm internal and external environment with a daily spiritual practice. This practice of becoming more aware of ourselves, more in tune, and more present to each moment can be done using many techniques, from meditation to cooking!

Kate O’Donnell and I talk about how to sooth our out of whack doshic energies and how to bring ourselves back into balance, whether we are predominately Vata, Pitta or Kapha. As humans we tend to create less space and more business for ourselves in our day to day lives; it is important to learn to take a step back and invoke slow, steady, healing energy. It’s from this place of grounding that we make good choices, good relationships and create good products.

Sattva- natural state of the mind- calm and clear naturally but then it’s pulled on by the universe. The law of the mind is that it is naturally. Her cookbook- the use of food to harness that undisturbed state of mind.

Sukha- good space– within us, around us. Internal and external environments, relationships we cultivate.

Sadhana- spiritual practice done daily to cultivate a sattvic state of mind.

Our state of mind is cultivated by our daily habits!  The mind itself is driving all the activities that are happening in the physical world–like the wizard of Oz! Take concept of mind and mental realm and understand it and how it’s affecting us- we will have a better grasp on our day to day lifestyle.

Sukha Sadhana- a process of becoming more aware of ourselves– creates good space as we go. We are paying attention to LIFE rather than being imbalanced/ running around like chicken with head cut off or like a sloth.

-Vata dosha- fall- vata season. Feeling very airy and chaotic, anxiety, overwhelm, depletion, collapse

Need to balance go-go energy with Slow energy in order to maintain that go energy. Otherwise will burn out. Food preparation as a way to slow down! When you slow down, the body slowly comes back into right relationship with itself…because mind starts to slow down.

Whether we are cutting carrots or doing yoga asana, we are able to slow down in mind and body and they we can experience ourselves in line with nature–

–Pushing the Vata envelope- suppressing the urges to pee, poop, fart, burp–its teh go go go tendency. Conversations of evolution. Root before extending.

Pitta pushing envelope- workaholism–lots of vision- we want to make happen. But at end of the day–jut business instead of efficiency.

Kapha-complacency,  resistance to change, lack of creation and lack of fire. Pushing envelope-not moving, no exercise, improper eating. Need the getup and move energy

Under-complicate everything- eat one thing all day.

What you’ll get out of tuning in:

• What do Sattva, sukha and sadhana mean and why are they important?
• How to under-complicate your life by keeping cooking simple.
• Why is it important to connect with your food?

Links Mentioned in Episode:

• Kate O’Donnell Website – About Me –
• Kate O’Donnell’s “The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook: A Seasonal Guide to Eating and Living Well”  – Amazon
• Yoga Health Coaching
• Join Spring Yogidetox

Show Highlights:

• 1:15- Sattva, Sadhana, and Sukha. What do these sanskrit words mean and why are they so important?
• 9:40- What does a slower, more mindful pace and practice look like in our lives? Kate talks about food preparation as a way for us to slow down and feel nourished!
• 16:00- What does it look like to push the envelope from a Vata, a Pitta, and a Kapha point of view? What causes and leads to imbalances in our dosha types?
• 25:30- Food preparation in an efficient way, as a yoga practice or a meditation.  Find love for slower, grounding practices, such as cooking. Cooking should be a peaceful, enjoyable practice done with friends or family, as opposed to having a “get it done” mentality. If this isn’t how you feel when you cook, take a class and learn new techniques to enjoy the practice of cooking nourishing foods!

Favorite Quotes:

• “The law of the mind is naturally calm and clear and undisturbed.” -Kate O’Donnell
• “The mind itself is driving all the activities that are happening in the physical world.” -Kate O’Donnell
• “For all the go-go-go in our days, we need some slow-slow-slow!” -Kate O’Donnell

Guest BIO:

Kate O’Donnell is an author, lecturer, and senior yoga teacher. She wrote two popular cookbooks, The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook and Everyday Ayurvedic Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind. A nationally recognized Ayurvedic Practitioner and Ashtanga yoga teacher, Kate is a founding member of the Boston Ayurveda School and adjunct faculty for Kripalu School of Ayurveda. She continues her travels to India annually for study and teaches internationally. Connect with Kate on her website and facebook page.