Ayurveda: Ayurveda and Yoga - Healing Touch  

By DAVID FRAWLEY  

Ayurveda and Yoga can be called sister sciences of 'self-healing and self-realisation'. Both evolved from a Vedic background in ancient India, based on the same philosophy, sharing many practices. Ayurveda, the 'yogic form of healing', is aimed at bringing us back into harmony with our true Self or Atman . The great Ayurvedic teacher Charaka defines Ayurveda as the harmony of body, prana , mind and soul. Patanjali defines yoga as controlling the mind in order to realise the Purusha .

According to Ayurveda, only when we are connected to our true Self or Atman can we be truly healthy in body, mind and soul. This is in contrast with modern medicine which addresses health and disease mainly on a physical level.

Ayurveda's goal is holistic well-being: Physically, psychologically and spiritually. Physical health, however important, is not enough for true happiness. That requires peace of mind and a spiritual purpose in life.

As organic beings, what comes out of us generally reflects what goes into us. Our energy and expression mirrors what we take into ourselves via nutrition. This occurs on three primary levels. The first is food that builds up the physical body or 'physical nutrition'. The second is our sensory impressions that build up the mind or 'psychological nutrition'. The third is our associations which nourish the heart and the soul or what could be called 'spiritual nutrition'.

The right diet for us would contain fresh or freshly cooked vegetarian food rich in Prana or the life-force. The right diet for the mind consists of wholesome impressions drawn from the world of nature, art or temples. Right association consists of healthy relationships with friends and family and spiritual guidance at a soul level from gurus and teachers.

If these three factors of right food, right impressions and right associations occur then we are happy and healthy; we are bound to grow spiritually. Unfortunately today, the quality of life is declining in all three - good food, good impressions and even good associations.

Food is often processed, overly spiced, with too much oil or it is even re-cooked. We are exposed to mass media scenes of sex and violence, urban traffic, noise and pollution. Our relationships are rushed, tense and demanding. We seldom make the time for spiritual associations and meetings with great souls.

What we've gained in technology, we seem to have lost in terms of real happiness. Whatever we've gained for the body, we have lost for the soul. While modern medicine has done well in reducing acute diseases, chronic diseases, depression and unhappiness are almost epidemic even in the most affluent sections of society.

Many of us consider the role of right diet and health, but we're often careless about the right diet for the mind or the right associations for the spirit. We must take as much care for psychological and spiritual well-being as for physical health if we want to be happy.

If we follow an Ayurvedic diet using Ayurvedic herbs, follow yogic systems of exercise and meditation, we can create a comprehensive life-style for optimal well-being. We can improve the society in which we live, creating a harmonious relationship with the world around us.

Without natural forms of healing and spirituality, our culture could spin out of control, leading to greater personal and civilisational disorders. New diseases like AIDS might get intensified and old diseases like malaria could come back as a consequence of moving away from the organic roots of life. Unless we recognise both nature and the spirit and build our cultures around them, our future is bound to have many problems. Such proven ancient systems as Yoga and Ayurveda can provide us the wisdom to overcome all these difficulties.

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See also: Ayurveda, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)