History

Ayurveda, the Science of Life

Ayurveda, in Sanskrit (one of the two classical Indian languages), means "the science of life".

It refers to an ancient healing system and way of life, which originated in India some five thousand years ago and that is still being practiced even to this very day.

In its most primitive form, Ayurvedic knowledge is concerned with preventing illnesses, healing the sick, and preserving life; it does all this by eliminating diseases affecting the body and restoring its internal balance.

The origins of Ayurveda were said to be founded in Kerala, India.

Its natural neighbour, Sri Lanka, gradually absorbed the art, and became the centre of Ayurvedic knowledge and practice several centuries later.

The Basic Methodologies of Ayurveda

Ayurveda works upon the following principles:

1. The detoxification and cleansing of the body;
2. The stimulation of the immune system;
3. The handling of stress;
4. The deceleration of the progress of age;
5. The rejuvenation of lost energy.

The most important aspect of Ayurveda is how it defines 'health': it is an active state of wellness; not a state of existence, but a state where one lives and feels alive.

How Ayurveda works

Ayurveda offers to its followers precise guidance on how they should live, eat, and behave, all of which appeals to the very essence of Ayurveda: the balancing of the dosha, the triumvirate of elements within the human body.

The 3 elements of the dosha each represent the 3 major systems of the human body: the respiratory system, as water (kapha); the digestive system, as fire (pita); and the reproductive system, as wind (vata).

The individual and collective states of these elements play a very important role in the health of a person, as any instabilities that arise may have dire consequences upon him or her. In fact, Ayurvedic belief has it that one only succumbs to illness when these elements within the person take to battle, by opposing or not complementing each other.

The Ayurvedic doctor has been trained to understand these elements. He will first put the patient (patient) through a procedure called pulse diagnosis. This diagnostic procedure will reveal to him any afflictions the patient is suffering from, after which he will be able to treat the patient accordingly.

The Ayurvedic doctor will then try to improve the health of his patient, by employing a variety of natural herbs, oils, and massaging techniques, all of which have been fashioned to pacify the elements and keep the 3 doshas in equilibrium.

Among other things, opposing elements will be made complementary, toxins and residues foreign to the body will be extracted, and marma points (similar to acupuncture points) will be stimulated, all with time-tested methods.

Ayurvedic Philosophy and Beliefs

To Ayurveda, the world is comprised of 5 basic matters: space, air, water, fire and earth. These are collectively referred to as the panch mahabhoot; and humans represent them innately in the form of the 3 doshas, the kapha, pita and vata.

Ideally, the panch mahabhoot is in equilibrium. Undesirable external forces, however, may cause imbalance. This disparity in the customary flow of energy in the body causes roga (disease), which leads to dukha (misery), and these entities appear in humans in the form of physical and spiritual discomfort.

Ayurveda is thus necessary, because it is able to restore whatever loss has occurred to the natural harmony of the body, by supplementing any deficiencies with matching portions of what had been lost; and because it is designed to ensure the maintenance of homeostasis, through a particular lifestyle.

This particular lifestyle takes into consideration the prakriti (bodily condition, literally, 'nature') of a person. Every person's prakriti is different; it is determined while within the mother's womb, and it is this which decides a person's fate.

Ayurveda believes that the human body is achieved after crossing 84 lakh births, and that the ultimate goal in life is to attain moksha.

To do so, eternal, internal and external delight (sukha) is sought, and Ayurvedic treatments assist with this by washing one's body and soul with bliss, through the elimination of negativities present in the body.

Recent Trends in the Practice of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest health system still in existence. Its relevance is evidenced by how diverse and widespread enough it is to be practiced in many areas of the world.

The Ayurvedic system has been experiencing a revival in Western medical arenas lately, and the trend is towards its incorporation in Western health-care systems.

Many centers have been and are being set up in different countries around the world to teach Ayurvedic knowledge, and more people are being exposed to the Ayurvedic lifestyle, technique, and concepts with each passing day.