Ayurveda आयुर्वेद and yoga योग


Ayurveda आयुर्वेद and yoga योग can be called sister sciences of ‘self-healing and self-Realization’. Both evolved from a Vedic वैदिक background in ancient India, based on the same philosophy, sharing many practices. Ayurveda आयुर्वेद , the ‘yogic योगिक form of healing’, is aimed at bringing us back into harmony with our true self or atman आत्मा . The great Ayurvedic आयुर्वेदिक teacher Chaarka चरक defines Ayurveda आयुर्वेद as the harmony of body, Prana प्राण , mind and soul. Patanjali पात्तांजलि defines as controlling the mind in order to realize the purusha पुरूष .

According to Ayurveda आयुर्वेद , only when we are connected to our true self or atman आत्मा can we are truly healthy in body, mind and soul. This is in contrast with modern medicine, which addresses health and disease mainly on a physical level. Ayurvdea’s आयुर्वेद goal is holistic well being: 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 energy expression and us 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 Pran प्राण 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 three 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 आयुर्वेदिक diet using Ayurvedic आयुर्वेदिक Harbs, follow yogic systems of exercise and meditation, we can create a comprehensive life-style for optimal well being. 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, lading 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 organize roots of life. Unless we recognize 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 आयुर्वेद can provide us the wisdom to overcome all these difficulties.