Framing the Day 

Ayurveda tells us to finish our early-morning routine by looking at our own reflection. It is a check to make sure that we set up our physical appearance and approve of how we are presenting ourselves to the world. What others will see is about their own indriyas (senses), but we should be happy with our own appearance and how we reflect our state of health and happiness. When we are beauty-full to ourselves, we have more confidence and live with our hearts more open to the bounty of the universe. In the days before mirrors, we looked into a pond or a still water body. Ayurveda warned not to lean into a river, and not look at one’s reflection in a well. It advised that we look at ourselves in sacred, clean reflections in the morning, in a brook or in a pot of water or ghee, after bathing and before prayers.

True beauty is more than skin deep. Ayurveda emphasizes that skin is a reflection of the deeper layers of the body’s tissues and of the digestive agni. It emphasizes the importance of inner cleanliness, good nutrition and proper functioning of the digestive agni . When the body is in a state of perfect flow and function, it exudes an energy known as ojas that is alluring, attractive and unforgettable. Ayurveda also places emphasis on reflecting inner calm and goodness as part of outer beauty. The forty-three muscles of the face can often tell people what is really going on inside.

Scientists, especially Dr Paul Ekman, have found that there are seven emotions that present very clear facial signals: surprise, happiness, disgust, contempt, sadness, fear and anger. Research shows that when a person arranges his/her face into a certain expression, he/she will actually feel the corresponding emotion. Emotions work from the outside inward and also from the inside outward. When we make certain facial movements, they seem to turn on the corresponding physical sensations for particular emotions. Therefore, perfect calm and happiness that is reflected on a symmetric face actually corresponds to peace inside. Perceptive people sense these micro-expressions in others, and that is why good businessmen will insist on meeting in person for important discussions and signing of important documents.

Instinctively, we judge people based on their facial expressions. When a face is kept neatly, it reflects good inner health. A symmetric face is also considered a reflection of balance and a scientific element of identifying beauty. Perfectly aligned faces are rare, but they reflect that something right happened, some perfection has remained. Another reflection of beauty is the observable hygiene of the sense organs. When the five senses are clean and functioning optimally, the face is open, harmoniously ready to receive and thus attractive. Though we know that excretions are a normal part of eyes, ears, nose and mouth, somehow we do not want to see substances leaking out from the orifices. When we check our reflection in the mirror, we make sure that all of these normal substances have been cleaned away, lest they give a subtle signal about cleanliness we did not intend to deliver.