Day 2 - Ayurvedic Journey
“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.”
Practice deep listening.
Instead of rushing to answer or react, try simply listening in your next conversation. You may even simply reflect what you heard. For example, “You are upset and frustrated.” Just hold space and allow for compassion.
IS AYURVEDA A RELIGION?
1. No. Ayurveda literally means “the science of life” in Sanskrit. The two roots: ayus and vid, meaning “life” and “knowledge.” Veda refers to a knowledge of our world and how everything works within it. Ayurveda is an alternative medical system with therapies including general medicine, herbal medicine, diet, pediatrics, surgery, toxicology, rejuvenation practices, aphrodisiacs, meditation, yoga, massage, and psychology. Ayurveda is the therapeutic branch of Yoga and Yoga is the spiritual aspect of Ayurveda. Neither Ayurveda nor Yoga are considered religions.
2. Maybe. Religion is defined as (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, ethics, and organizations that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental and spiritual elements. Ayurveda includes all of these elements. The classical Ayurvedic texts account the transmission of its knowledge from the deities (god or gods) to the sages (wise ones) and human physicians. However, Ayurveda is considered simultaneously a science, medicine, and a spiritual approach.
3. Ayurvedic is inherently spiritual. Ayurveda includes a focus on spiritual development as an imperative part of the journey to wholeness and health of body, mind, and soul. The origin of Ayurveda is from the sacred texts of the Vedas (“Knowledge”), which is about the relationship of humans with the forces of nature, divinity, and existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level. The purpose of Ayurveda is based on the idea that we are all souls growing and evolving toward enlightenment and/or reunification with God.
Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda, Buddhism, and Jainism and, arguably, Christianity (see HERE & HERE) are all connected to, evolved from or synthesized from the Vedas.
Ayurveda uses yogic methods like asanas (physical postures and what we consider yoga today) and pranayama (breathwork) to treat disease. Ayurvedic treatments for the mind include yogic practices for spiritual growth, like mantra (statement or slogan repeated frequently) and meditation (prayer).
5. Ayurveda transcends religion. It’s sacred, universal knowledge that exists in the sacred space of the heart of everyone. The healing process is a path to our original, divine selves. Healer, Shaman and Author - Mikki Baloy says in her book Hallowed Underground, ‘healing and spirituality are one and the same. Our divinity is hidden beneath layers of pain, patterns, and misunderstanding.’ Ayurveda is the path of wisdom; seeking a life of knowledge. I love these inspirations from Proverbs.
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 ESV
For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 2:10 ESV
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might. Proverbs 24:5 ESV
The Ancient Texts of Ayurveda:
There are three ancient texts that explain Ayurveda:
Charaka Samhita - PDF version HERE
Sushruta Samhita - PDF version HERE
The Astanga Hrdyam - PDF version HERE
The Astanga Hrdyam - one of the three ancient texts of Ayurveda describes in (1.3) the Advent of Ayurveda:
“Lord Brahma recollected the science of Ayurveda and delivered it… who taught it… who imparted it to King Indra, who passed it down to…, who taught it to… other sages… They composed their own separate treatises, which were spread around the world.”
Brahman was initiated in all knowledge, from within his heart, by the Supreme Lord, at the beginning of creation (Brahma Samhita, another ancient Ayurveda text, Ch 5.22-28).
who can practice ayurveda?
1. Anyone can practice Ayurveda. Ayurveda has universal applicability. Anyone who is prone to dis-ease, which is all of us, can practice Ayurveda. When we consider dis-ease, we are even referring to things such as stress, digestive issues and poor sleep.
Therefore anyone can practice the daily and seasonal routines, diet, exercises, and pranayama breathing.
Whether patient, doctor, coach, advisor - all participate in the practice of Ayurveda; creating a beautiful synergy. The purpose of Ayurveda and its medicine is to ensure that we can avoid serious illness by understanding better how we become sick and by avoiding unhealthy practices. Therefore, practitioner and patient work together to understand source or root of dis-ease. Different from our Western culture, where doctor will prescribe to treat symptoms, Ayurveda goes deeper for more sustainable healing.
2. Ayurvedic physicians (“vaidya”, “one who knows” or doctor of medicine) have a BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery, which is a full-time 5 year and six month training to be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. When they specialize, they receive a 3-year degree MD/MS, Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda.
The nuance of who can practice Ayurveda in the United States is described by Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA) Inc, HERE. It is illegal in the U.S. to diagnose, treat or cure disease unless you have a license to practice medicine in your state. There are ten states with “Health Freedom Laws” that allow non-licensed Ayurvedic healers to practice.
3. Ayurveda Wellness Coaches, Advisors, Marma Therapists and Ayurveda Educators - There are accredited programs that provide training for Ayurveda Wellness Coaches, Ayurvedic Health Advisors, Marma Therapists, Educators and Holistic practitioners. They are great resources to you on your Ayurveda journey; providing a wide range of guidance and support.
4. Both doctor and patient should come together with good intention and unified goal. Imagine how powerful it is to be more unified with your doctor or practitioner when looking to optimize your health. Having someone who really cares about you, your constitution and your longevity makes a huge impact in how you heal.
In Ayurvedic texts, there are various scriptures referencing specifically how a patient and a doctor should come prepared for treatment. Note the wording is translated from ancient texts written 5,000 + years ago.
EXPLORE THIS PASSAGE ABOUT PATIENT AND DOCTOR HERE
5. A practitioner can improve outcome when they practice with pure intention and in unity with God. The Ayurveda text says that the highest practitioner and doctor of Ayurveda (vaidya) is sattvic, pure, peaceful, heavenly, a spiritual being, universal love, grounded in the causal and ideal level of cosmic consciousness. When pure sattva prevails in our consciousness, we transcend time and space and discover our eternal Self. The soul is pure and unites with God.
Christian scriptures also highlight the importance of a pure heart and achieving unity with God
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
The ancient text says that this vaidya is a sage, self-realized, with a waking, liberated, enlightened state of consciousness. OM.
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BELLY BREATH OUTDOORS
Day 2 of Belly Breath - HERE
Today, take your Belly Breath practice outside. Consider being barefoot; feeling the earth under your feet. Take a moment to really feel your feet on the earth. Connect. Place your hands on your belly and start your practice. Add another two minutes to your practice of belly breath. Write in your journal what came up for you. Explore sensations.
PROMPT: Add more time to your breathwork each day. As we come into awareness of our breath, we can quite our mind and allow for healing in our bodies.
Why quiet time is healthy for body and mind
Lower your blood pressure.
Decrease your heart rate.
Steady your breathing.
Reduce muscle tension.
Increase focus and cognition. There are cultural differences when it comes to welcoming silence. In America, FOMO (fear of missing out) runs deep, so we need to focus more on scheduling time each day for this practice.