Ayurveda
The ancient culture and beliefs of India were the original bastions of Ayurvedic science. Original Ayurveda, often regarded as the sister science to Yoga, was revealed by sages, skillfully practiced by traditional doctors (vaidyas), and respectfully believed and followed by humanity.
Ayurvedic principles are still so tightly woven into the fabric of modern Indian day-to-day life, that it is hard to know where culture and tradition end and Ayurveda begins. Although Ayurveda originated and flourished in India, it is in no way exclusively an Indian system of medicine. Ayurveda has always maintained a global outlook. This is evident from the fact that Ayurveda does not limit its wisdom to a specific region, culture, or religion. The foundational concepts of Ayurveda are universal, its fundamental principles are adaptable and applicable to all living and sentient beings. Thus, through a learned physician, the benefits of Ayurveda can be enjoyed by each one of us. Ayurveda upholds the motto “wellness to the entire world: lokāḥ samasthāḥ sukhino bhavantu”.
In Ayurveda there is no one size fits all solution to a problem- the fundamental principles and treatments are structured based on nature and its interaction with each individual. Rather than addressing individual symptoms or body parts, Ayurveda looks to root out the cause of disease and heal the person in totality. Ayurveda works by adhering to the basic laws of nature, identifying normal and abnormal rhythms, and closely observing the effects of nature on the body, mind, and soul. Ayurveda never takes credit for improving health or curing an illness, in this system, it is a person’s innate energy and instinct to stay healthy and live a full life, that leads to healing, Ayurveda's role is to support and strengthen this innate healing power within each of us. The first goal of Ayurveda is to safeguard this healing power through a branch called svasthavṛtta (preventive medicine) This branch of Ayurveda elaborates on how holistic health can be maintained and offers a roadmap for prevention and healthy longevity. According to Ayurveda, there are three main causes of disease in the body:
1. Prajnaparadh- Misuse of intellect. Making poor choices
2. Asatmendriartha Sam Yoga- Misuse of our senses/sense organs
3. Parinama-Failing to adjust our diet and lifestyle to seasonal variations
When we fall out of balance due to any of these innate or external causes we suffer- if we fail to correct our course, we fall sick. At this juncture, Ayurveda gives priority to pacifying or eliminating the disease-causing factors and restoring health, balance, and harmony through Ayurvedic medicines and treatments.
Ayurveda is fast gaining popularity as the modern world becomes increasingly threatened by lifestyle diseases and the complications of current medical practices. With the aid of the internet and a global economy, Ayurveda is gaining visibility and recognition that has never before occurred in its history.
Today, students of Ayurveda study modern medical and diagnostic methods which enable them to convey the methodologies of Ayurveda in the language of modern science. This is opening up new avenues in healthcare where a holistic and complementary approach can be used to incorporate the concepts of Ayurveda into the healthcare needs of different nations and cultures.
Interestingly, like in the days of lore, Ayurveda is gradually becoming a household name across the world.