By Arati Ullal
For the past 2 years we have been feeding sparrows in our apartment balcony. It has been fun to watch how they multiply in spring, and then the offspring is sent off to live on their own to make space for more young ones to come. We mainly fed them with the ready 'bird food' that was available in the stores. There were some seeds they rejected, but I did not pay much heed to which ones.
When a newly opened shop claimed to be 'zero plastic', I decided to shop there for all my groceries. They sold food by weight, and we could use our own containers. “Why not buy bird seeds here too?” was my thought immediately. So beginning last September, I started buying millet, rice and sunflower seeds. The birds loved it and ate all of it without wastage.
When winter approached I noticed that they gobbled up the sunflower seeds first, so I increased the proportion. I again changed the ratio when spring came closer.
But now they weren't interested in the sunflower seeds at all.
They would eventually finish them by the end of the day. I had already mixed up the seeds, so I had no choice but to feed the old ratio until gone. I told my husband about this, and he did not give much thought to it.
Some days later, my husband wanted me to cook some pork for him. I refrained from reminding him of Ayurveda seasonal recommendations. After enjoying what he ate, he realized he wasn't feeling very comfortable.
I then reminded him that pork is too heavy, and spring time is a time to go lighter on meals.
He only laughed at me. The next day I showed him how the sparrows had NOT eaten the sunflower seeds!
He did accept what the sparrows had to offer.
Hopefully I can slowly and surely sow seeds of the wisdom of Ayurveda by pointing out to nature.
Thank you Mother Nature for these teachings!
You can learn more about the study and practice of Ayurveda through Acharya Shunya's online course, Alchemy through Ayurveda.
About Arati Ullal
"I have been formally studying under Shunyaji since 2019 and informally through the YouTube channel for several years. I had always been inclined towards natural ways of living and spirituality, but despite growing up in India, I knew nothing of Ayurveda other than the herbs aspect. When I chanced upon Shunyaji's videos, I was awed by the wholesomeness of this science. The more I adopt and live this lifestyle the more I feel grounded and protected and close to mother nature!"
Acharya Shunya is a globally-recognized spiritual teacher and Vedic lineage-holder who awakens health and consciousness through the Vedic sciences of Ayurveda, Vedanta and Yoga. She is the driving force behind an online wisdom school and worldwide spiritual community, and the author of best-selling book on the Vedic art of mind + body + soul well-being and health, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom and Sovereign Self. Acharya Shunya is a keynote speaker at national and international conferences, and serves as an advisor to the Indian Government in matters pertaining to global integration and cultivation of Ayurveda and Yoga. Receive her free online teachings and browse her current eCourse offerings here or see more about her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram. Study Ayurveda with Acharya Shunya in her online course, Alchemy through Ayurveda.
