A Brief Introduction to the Theory of Ayurveda

 

AYUR = LIFE

VEDA = SCIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / PHILOSOPHY

 

Ayurveda is a complete life science. It is the oldest holistic science known to man - a precise method for exercising intuitive wisdom, regarding integral balance of mind, body and soul. The ultimate goal of Ayurveda is Moksha or Liberation.

 

MIND - YOGA - balance of temperaments : SATVA / RAJAS / TAMAS 

BODY - DOSHAS - balance of energies : VATA / PITTA / KAPHA

SOUL - Union with essence of Divine Love, through practice of DHYANA (Meditation), AARTI (Prayer), BHAKTI (Devotion), SHRADDHA (Faith), SHILA (Discipline), POOJA (Holy Rituals) & YUGYA (Hemispheric Purification), and SEVA (Selfless Service)

 

HISTORY of AYURVEDA

 

Ayurveda derives from the Vedic Scriptures, which are the oldest recorded form of divine wisdom transmitted to man, as guidelines for living in love, harmony, balance and peace. There are 4 Books of Vedas: SAMAVEDA, RIGVEDA, YUJURVEDA and ATHERVAVEDA. The Athervaveda concerns the wisdom of nature, herbology, and how to balance oneself with nature. Ayurveda emerged from this, so some also refer to it as the '5th Veda.'

 

DHANWANTRI, an immortal being and master of herbal medicinal wisdom, is considered the God of Ayurveda, and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the creator of this universe. In Buddhism, Dhanwantri is known as the

Medicine Buddha, or Bhaisajyaguru, which means the 'master of healing.'

 

~ OM DHANWATRYA NAMHA ~

 

A simple mantra invocation of Lord Dhanwantri, that is spoken with gratitude before any activity related with Ayurvedic medicine preparation and healing work. (NAMHA comes from the same root as NAMASKAR or NAMASTE, which is NAMA: ‘Prayer..’)

 

 

MAIN PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA FROM SANSKRIT

 

SWASTHYSA SWASTHYA RAKSHANAM

 

If there is a state of health, it can be maintained through practice of healthy lifestyle and following wisdom principles of Ayurveda including diet and herbal treatments.

 

ATURSYA VIKYA PRASAMAN CHA

 

If there is a state of sickness, first find the cause of the dis-ease, remove it from the root, and eliminate it completely from the system, by helping the system regain its natural state of balance.

 

 

BASIS OF AYURVEDA THEORY : PANCHA MAHA BHUTA

The 5 Great Elements or Energies, that are present in our universe

 

SKY / SPACE / ETHER

AIR

FIRE

WATER

EARTH

 

These five, along with the SOUL, comprise the existence of LIFE.

 

We need to balance ourselves with Nature, in order to experience a state of health.

When we are out of balance, we experience illness.

 

 

So how do we seek and maintain balance with Nature?

 

Through intuitive sensing and objective analysis of one's inborn nature, or constitution,

and through observation of the surrounding environment and state of Mother Nature,

one can determine in which ways  one's internal system is out of balance.

 

Then we an follow the guidelines of Ayurveda - our instinctive wisdom -

to make adjustments to daily lifestyle habits and diet

that will allow us to experience a sense of harmony, strength and joy,

while we also develop greater resilience within the constant changes of life.

 

 

How do I determine my constitution?

 

(check back soon - to be continued...)