Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine widely practiced in India. The word “Ayurveda” is Sanskrit meaning “science of life”. “Ayu” means “life” or “everyday life” and “veda” means “knowledge”. Ayurveda was first recorded in the Vedas, the oldest surviving scriptures. This system of healing has been practiced in the daily life of India for over 5000 years.
According to Ayurveda, man is a microcosm, the Universe. His individual existence is inseparable from the general cosmic manifestation. In a holistic sense, Ayurveda’s views of health and “disease” take into account the inherent human connection between individual and cosmic spirit, individual and cosmic consciousness, energy and matter.
In the teachings of Ayurveda, a person has four biological and spiritual aspirations: religious, financial prosperity, reproduction and freedom. Good health is necessary to fulfill these requests. Ayurveda helps the healthy to maintain health, and the sick to restore it. It is believed that the practice of Ayurveda is to promote well-being, health and creative growth.
The practical knowledge of self-healing can be learned by anyone through the study of the truths of Ayurveda. It is possible to significantly increase the lifespan and get rid of suffering by properly balancing all the energies in the body.
If we imagine that health is order, and disease is a disorder of order, then in the human body there is a constant interaction between order and disorder. The wise man learns how to be fully aware of the disorder in his body and how to begin to restore order. He understands that order is inherent in disorder and that a return to health is also possible.
In Ayurveda, the concept of health is based on the understanding of disease. In the word “discomfort”, “dis” means “deprivation”, “comfort” means “convenience”. Therefore, before discussing discomfort, we must understand the meaning of comfort, or health. Health is maintained when: the digestive fire (agni) is in balance, the properties of the body (vata, pitta, kapha) are balanced, the three waste products (urine, feces and perspiration) are produced at a normal level and in balance, the senses function normally, and body, mind and consciousness work harmoniously as one whole. When the balance in any of these systems is disturbed, the disease process begins. Since the balance of the above elements and functions is responsible for natural resistance and immunity, even contagious diseases cannot affect a person who is in good health. Thus, the instability of the body and mind are responsible for physical and psychological pain and suffering.