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What are the signs of low or 

depleted ojas? The first sign is 

timidity: a person who is normally 

fearless becomes timid and begins 

to fear. As ojas continues to deplete, 

the nervous system weakens, anxiety 

increases, the sense organs become 

defective, the complexion becomes 

grey, a person loses normal thinking 

power, and has malice in his heart. A 

person with low ojas becomes irritable 

and reactive.

What are the causes of ojas deple-

tion? Any shock, psychological or 

physical (accidents, injuries, surgery, 

trauma), dehydration, anemia, 

excessive fasting, or diets which are 

excessively dry or without fat. White-

hot anger and deep grief both deplete 

ojas. When someone close to us dies, 

and we experience sorrow, ojas is 

depleted and we are more vulner-

able to disease. Ojas depletion is also 

caused by hunger, fatigue, stress, 

anxiety, worrying, and depression. 

If more than one of these factors is 

present at the same time, the depletion 

of ojas is greater. 

What can we do to prevent ojas 

depletion, to build our ojas and stay 

healthy? Ojas is created through the 

digestive process. Good digestion and 

assimilation of nutrients is one of the 

most important factors. The Ayurvedic 

view is not "you are what you eat," 

but "you are what you digest." Hunger 

is a sign of the digestive fire's readi-

ness; when hunger is present, food 

can be properly digested. Conversely, 

we should not eat when we are not 

hungry. 

Ojas can be increased through 

lifestyle changes. Anything which 

increases regularity, calm, and happi-

ness will increase ojas. Dr. Trivedi, an 

Ayurvedic teacher, said, "Love balances 

the doshas." Negative emotions, 

especially when repeated as a pattern, 

decrease ojas. Regular, sufficient meals, 

especially of hot, soupy, nutritious 

foods and without excessive dry, gas-

producing foods, will increase ojas. 

Moderate exercise is also beneficial. 

To have good ojas, one needs a calm 

mind, and steady emotions. Yoga and 

meditation increase ojas. When the 

mind, senses, and body are released 

from the survival patterns of fear, 

worry and anxiety, which deplete our 

ojas—then our body is free to create its 

natural patterns of health and joy. 

The only real solution to health 

problems is to eliminate the stress, 

which decreases our ojas. We can 

re-balance the doshas with herbs and 

dietary changes, but as long as the 

cause is there, we can't expect radiant 

health. This means that to change one's 

health situation often means that one 

must change one’s life. 

Cynthia Copple is the Director of Lotus Holistic 

Health Institute, www.lotusayurveda.com