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“Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. We've been using them not because we needed them but because we had them.” ― Seneca, Letters from a Stoic

Ramadan is here. Faithful Muslims around the globe prepare for a month-long trek where from sunrise to sunset they refrain from food, drink, sex, smoking, and even anger. The anticipation begins to grow stronger as the first-day approaches.

To go against one's nature may seem daunting, especially to resist base urges like food & water. It takes time for the body to adapt and the first couple of days are anything but easy. But through this stoic practice, a greater appreciation arises. Consider abstaining from food, drink, sex, smoking, and anger from sunrise to sunset as inputs, while reflection, introspection, and a basic understanding of what it means to be human as outputs.

The aim of Ramadan is to experience and to understand that we are no better than anyone else. During Ramadan, Muslims renew their resolve against vices and make resolutions to be better in general. It's a yearly-reset (technically it's a little less than a year as Ramadan occurs every 355 days) where Muslims examine what they are looking for out of life.

Through this stoic Religious practice, they appreciate the little things that a month earlier seemed irrelevant. You’re thoughtful about the words you speak, the people you engage, and the energy you allocate. Fasting slows down your perception of time. Have you ever finished an episode of your favorite show, like Game of Thrones, and wondered where the time went. Time flows fast during these moments of joy, but during moments of suffering, it slows down like water in a choked up hose.

Fasting is the ultimate form of mindfulness for Muslims. So much of modern life is governed by our thoughts and with the addition of the symbiotic relationship we now have with smartphones, it seems we’re never in control. We make promises to ourselves that we don’t keep. We’d like to stay strict to a diet, a morning ritual, a fitness plan, but we’re often unable to follow through. In other words, we are dishonest with ourselves.

For Muslims, by resisting the most instinctive of desires, there is hypertrophy of the will-power muscle. You decide when you should eat or drink, not your urges. Strong-individuals recognize that goals require a certain amount of discipline. By engaging in this month long religious obligation, Muslims attempt to take control of the part of themselves that governs their everyday behavior. During the month of Ramadan, from sunrise to sunset, they are no longer victims of their thoughts and emotions (though what happens from sunset to sunrise may be a different story altogether).

Every year as Ramadan approaches, a little bit of anxiety sets in. How will I have the energy to go about my daily activities? I have to work, take care of my children, make dinner, etc. The Religious obligation seems insurmountable but every year countless Muslims fast, together. It provides them appreciation for things we take for granted in the Western world. The appreciation of water as the essence of life, food as a life force you are consuming, and family and friends with whom you share the food & water. It reminds them that the stoic lifestyle of Ramadan holds its own reward, it teaches us that if you’re not happy with what you have, you’ll never be happy with what you get.

When I was younger I sprained my ankle playing basketball. Ankle sprains are common in basketball, but that doesn't mean they won’t have you yelling for mommy. My parents were ready with a treatment on hand, Haldi (Turmeric). They claimed it was a herbal medicine that would "absorb the pain". I was immediately skeptical -- but my parents insisted I try it. I followed the R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate) protocol but added an extra step where I rubbed Turmeric all over my ankle before wrapping it. They failed to mention the vibrant stain it leaves behind. I still remember the puzzled look on my friends faces when I showed up to school limping on a bright yellow ankle. Recently, I sprained my knee. After limping for days, I gave into the same treatment, a Turmeric wrap. I felt great the next day, it was as if the pain was sucked away. Now, I know what you're thinking (and I'm with you), it's most likely a coincidence. But it made me curious, how did this plant develop its massive reputation?

As a Westerner, I’ve always given alternative medicine the cold shoulder but recent research has legitimized Curcumin’s powerful effects. Curcumin may have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antigiogenic, antidiabetic and perhaps even anticancer properties. Research states that it may even be more effective than ibuprofen for those suffering from osteoarthritis. I had to learn more about this alleged magical plant.

It turns out Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and is made from the tuberous roots of the plant Curcuma longa. Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric responsible for its medicinal benefits. It’s also what gives Turmeric its vibrant yellow color. The effects of Curcumin have been studied for hundreds of years but for unexplained borderline conspiratorial reasons were not given the time of day by Western Medicine. Asian cultures have known about the Turmeric secret for some time now. It is commonly used in Asian food (especially in Curry). It’s also been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for thousands of years. Initially it was used to help heal wounds but its uses have grown since. In 2016, the interest in Turmeric is at an all-time high. Public interest combined with scientific research have led it to a prominent place in household spice racks and possibly medicine cabinets.

Researchers have focused heavily on its anti-inflammatory properties. As someone suffering from arthritis and alarmed by the FDA’s new stronger warning labels on Ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory medicines, Turmeric seemed like the smarter choice. Not only is it shown to reduce pain & inflammation, but it may also improve functional movement for those suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

There’s a catch. Turmeric by itself may not provide the full health benefits people are looking for. Though research shows that doses up to 12g/day in Humans may be safe, Turmeric exhibits poor bioavailability. Current recommended methods to increase its bioavailability include mixing it with black pepper & fats.

After diving into the research, it is evident that our ancestors had something right. My Turmeric journey has transformed my perspective on alternative medicine, from the days of doubting my parents to reading research papers testing it for conditions I didn’t know existed. To this day, I take pride in maintaining a healthy skepticism of herbal medicine, but it’s hard to deny that Tumeric is turning out to be a medicinal powerhouse.

In the age of social media, where continuous sharing and connectedness are normal parts of everyday life, it’s no surprise that Holi, a colorful holiday that preaches inclusion, revitalization, and oneness, has risen in popularity. A search for #holi2012 on Instagram populates around 251 results, while a search for #holi2015 returns over 20,000!

(Google Trends show a similar spike when searching for Holi)

A tradition that began thousands of years ago in Northern India has spread to the world. Holi is celebrated in conjunction with the full moon of Phalguna, and usually falls during February and March. A time when many are coming to grasps with the notion that winter is not everlasting. Spring is seen in cultures throughout the world as a time of revitalization, Holi brings this idea to a physical plane with a larger than life celebration more commonly known as the Festival of Colors

Holi in America is different from Holi in India. The celebrations in America usually last a day and are contained within a single event while Holi in India is a multi-day celebration that begins with the Holika Fire. Holika was a treacherous demon in Hindu Vedic scriptures who was burnt to death with the help of God Vishnu. Holi derives its name from Holika and celebrates the victory of good over evil. People fill the streets of India and squirt one another with colored water, water balloons, and paint each other’s faces. Their differences are suspended as the feeling of oneness propagates throughout the land. Every corner of India is reverberating with the shouts: “Bura na mano Holi hai!” (Don’t get offended, it's Holi!)

Image courtesy: Dogo News

The throwing of colored powder into the air is what comes to mind when most people think of Holi. As the legend goes, the eclectic Lord Krishna griped to his mother about how a woman, Radha, had a fair complexion while his was dark. She suggested he throw color on Radha’s face and remove the difference between them. This is why people play with color and water during Holi, the splashes of color symbolize the breakdown of barriers of color, creed, and religion.

(Courtest of http://www.tyoharokakhazana.com/)

Holi celebrations have transformed into must attend cultural events. The Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah (approximately 50 miles South of Salt Lake City) recently held a 70,000 person multi-day Holi Festival where non Hindu attendees outnumbered Hindus 2 to 1. College campuses have also played a big part of Holi coming to the mainstream. During Holi, students at many campuses can be seen participating in Holi-inspired color throws.

The Soul of India is on full display during Holi. A vibrant energy which Indians believe represents their culture is felt in the air. The inclusive nature of the celebrations is on full display when crowds of strangers wearing all white t-shirts throw fistfuls of organic powder into the air and each other. At a time when the media portrays a divisive world, Holi serves a reminder that inclusion is the norm. The celebration of Holy by non-Hindus is the ultimate affirmation that some traditions are timeless.

Image courtesy: Web Neel