What is Āyurveda For Purpose, Health, Wealth, and Awareness?

श्री

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद) and Vedic sciences are one of the oldest sciences in the world for experiencing life with purpose, health, wealth and awareness.  These four goals of life or puruṣārtha (पुरुषार्थ) are known in Saṃskṛtam (संस्कृतम्) language as: dharma (धर्म), ārtha (अर्थ), kāma (काम) and mokṣa (मोक्ष), respectively. Āyurveda, in Sanskrit, means science of life. Āyurveda is popularly known for its success in healing diseases or imbalances; however, it is truly the science on how to live life wholly. Āyurveda is the mother science of all other healing systems.  Āyurveda focuses on finding and destroying the root cause of the illness while at the same time treating the symptoms.  It is founded on ancient wisdom from a land known as Bhārat (भारत), today’s India, with over 7,000 years of proven history and efficacy. Āyurveda treats body, mind, and spirit.

Āyurveda is a highly individualized system of self-inquiry and self-healing.  Āyurveda states that each person is born with a unique body and mind constitution (Prakruti). Inherent in this constitution is the “owner’s manual” and understanding it is the most powerful solution for maintaining balanced health and wellness.  When there is an imbalance or disease, it is called Vikruti.  According to Ayurveda, disorders are primarily the result of imbalances and impurities that accumulate in the body over time. Āyurveda excels in diagnosing imbalances at an early stage—even before symptoms arise, eliminating those imbalances from the body, and providing knowledge on how to live a healthy & balanced lifestyle that supports one’s unique body and mind constitution.  Moveover, Āyurveda firmly states that each individual must find their true “Self”, which is beyond body & mind.  Doing so, will enable the individual to make daily decisions from its true Self and live a healthy & balanced lifestyle free from harmful habits, routines and/or additions.

The Āyurveda process begins with an individual consultation, either via online video, telephone call, or in person, usually lasting 30 to 90 minutes. During this session we will listen to your concerns and goals, check your radial pulse on both wrists, use other Āyurveda assessment techniques, and ask you specific questions.  Thereafter, we will inform you of:

  • your Prakruti and Vikruti
  • assessment results
  • suggest a timeline for achieving your objectives
  • and provide you with a specific list of recommendations
  • we may suggest regular ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle counseling sessions
  • we will support to you and monitor progress throughout the recommended period
  • the consultation may include follow-up visits, online video or telephone calls

Recommendations may include:

  • diet & lifestyle advice,
  • nutrition counseling,
  • yoga & yoga therapy,
  • pranayama and meditation;
  • and only when truly necessary the following may be recommended:
    • herbal formulas,
    • panchakarma (detoxification programs/therapies),
    • marma (accu-pressure),
    • and massage with herbal oils, among many other body/mind therapies and protocols. 

Panchakarma services may either be performed domestically or coordinated in India with partner organizations depending on your geographic location.

Definition of Health and Wellness

The following Sanskrit verse from the ancient sage Sushruta gives the Āyurvedic definition of health:  Samadosha, samagnischa samadhatumala kriyaha prasanna atmenindriya manaha swasthya ityabhidheeyate.

Translation: … it follows that the doshas (body elements) must be in equilibrium, the digestive fire must be in a balanced state and the dhatus (bodily tissues) and malas (excretory organs) must work in a normal way. The sensory and motor organs and mind, atma, must be also in a pleasant state. Such a person is called a healthy person or Swastha.