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About Ayurveda
Ayurveda ("the science of life"), the traditional medicine of India, is not a science artificially imposed upon living beings. Its basis is not in dead or organic chemical substances, or in a mechanistic and materialistic view of the human body. Ayurveda is based upon a deep communion with the spirit of life itself and a profound understanding of the movement of the life- force and its different manifestations within our entire psychological system. As such, it presents a helpful alternative to the technical and mechanical model of modern medicine, the limitation of which are gradually becoming evident through time. It is a truly holistic medicine whose wealth we have just begun to explore in the Western world.
Ayurveda is not merely a kind of antiquated folk medicine. It is a science in its own right. Yet it is a science based upon the observation of living being and their actual reaction to their environment. In this way, it classifies not only individuals but also foods, herbs, emotions, climates, and lifestyles in an energetic language that reflects the entire living world around us.
Ayurveda possesses perhaps the longest clinical experience of any system of medicine, with a history of Ayurvedic hospitals and colleges going back for over three thousand years. It has a science of anatomy and physiology that follows a ritualistic model based upon the biological humours. It has an extensive herbal and mineral industry, including what is probably the greatest variety of herbal and pharmaceutical preparation in the world. These include herbal wines, jellies, confections, resins, balsams, pills, and an extensive system of mineral preparation. It has special clinical methods, including the use of steam therapy, oil massage, and Pancha Karma purification and rejuvenation. Perhaps most importantly, it also has a whole science of self-care, including an entire methodology of right living for optimum health and the promotion of greater awareness and creativity. All of this follows a constitutional model that considers the unique nature of the individual of the primary factor in health, not disease as an entity in itself.
While western medicine has focused upon pathogens and how to control disease from the outside, Ayurveda concentrates on the individual and how to control disease through balancing the life-force within the individual, As the limitation of antibiotics are becoming evident, such regimes for strengthening our own internal or immune system may be crucial for our health as a species through the coming century.
Veda means "knowledge", and ayus is defined as "life". Ayurveda is usually defined as the "science" or "knowledge" of life. However, "life" has a broad meaning in the Ayurvedic context. Human life is considered to have four dimensions - physical, mental, sensorial, and spiritual. Living a healthy and balanced life must therefore take into account more than just the physical body.
According to Ayurveda, to be "healthy" is not only the absence of disease. It is the state of balanced functioning of all aspects of the human body, including the mind and soul. These are equally important pillars of health. In this regard, Ayurveda can be considered to be the original "mind-body" medical system.
The Ayurvedic definition of "life" means that the scope of this science is extensive. There are eight classic, comprehensive branches of Ayurveda were developed due to this complexity:
Internal medicine
General surgery
Head and neck (ear, eye, nose, throat)
Pediatrics
Toxicology
Fertility & conception
Rejuvenation
Psychiatry
The timeless tenets of Ayurveda are based on the natural world. As such, they are considered universal and eternal. That is, Ayurveda is not considered to be relevant only to a particular time, place or people. Ayurveda is considered to offer guidance on how to live a healthy, balanced and harmonious life to all people, through all ages.
Yoga without Ayurveda
Anyone dedicated to the path of Yoga will benefit from a basic understanding of Ayurveda. In fact, the practice of yoga asana without Ayurveda is like standing on one leg. This approach works, yet how much more effective it is to walk on two legs as the Vedic seers did so many thousands of years ago. For more information about the relationship between Ayurveda and Yoga, see www.atreya.com.
The Tri-dosha (3 energetic principles)
According to Ayurveda, there are 3 fundamental bio-energetic principles (the 'tri-dosha') which govern all of life - namely, the ongoing, dynamic growth which exists within balance and change. Ayurveda also recognises that we each have a unique constitution (prakriti) that can be characterised in terms of these tri-dosha. These doshas - named Vata, Pitta and Kapha - can be summarised as follows:
- Vata - the principle of movement or propulsion
- Pitta - the principle of transformation
- Kapha - the principle of cohesion or inertia
The doshas give rise to the following qualities in nature:
- Vata - cold, dry, rough, quick, hard, light, variable/erratic
- Pitta - hot, moist, slightly oily, smooth, quick, soft, light
- Kapha - cold, wet, smooth, slow, soft, heavy, consistent
Optimal health is enjoyed when the current state of our doshas is in line with our prakriti, that is, our birth constitution. Dis-ease begins when one or more of the doshas deviates significantly from this equilibrium. Ayurveda states that it is improper or unwholesome experiences that tip the doshas out of balance. 'Unwholesome' in this context means both the obvious things - extremes like exposure to toxic foods, harsh weather, violent behaviour etc - as well as more subtle things, namely anything that has the qualities needed to significantly increase a dosha within your unique make-up. Put another way, everything has the potential to cause doshic imbalance within you, yet it is your own unique nature that determines to what extent things will upset you or not. In order to stay healthy and happy we must balance the doshas daily. To do this, we need to learn the qualities of our own nature and the qualities of mother nature, i.e. all that we experience (foods, thoughts, weather, people etc.). Then, by respecting the fundamental truth that opposites balance, and like increases like, we can cultivate that which is wholesome and reduce / counteract that which is not.
For more information on Ayurveda
see www.practical-ayurveda.net
or read this article by Alex: Introduction to Ayurveda.
Alex Duncan
Gardoussel Retreat, Gardoussel
30940 St Andre de Valborgne
France
email:
tel: +33 (0) 4 66 60 16 78