Ayurveda
Ayur|Veda
An ancient medical system, originating from India and for thousands of years passed on as an oral tradition, Ayurveda was first recorded on paper roughly 5.000 years ago in the form of sutras. It is a specific and poetic way to capture its timeless and universal wisdom, applicable in any corner of the world, for any human being.
We still need:
- air to breath;
- water to drink and food to eat;
- to sleep at night and to awaken in the morning; and
- blood running through our veins to stay alive.
Everything is born from their interaction. Everything is sustained from their interaction. And eventually everything decays because of their interaction. Ayurveda uses the qualities of each to identify not only the homeostasis but also the pathology, the diagnosis and treatment of a person. Furthermore, seasons, climates, stages of life, both physical and mental constitutions, dietary and lifestyle habits can all be analyzed and understood with this framework. And they will also influence each other. For example, if it’s a hot summer day and you had a stressful day at work, you’ll make yourself a (cooling) favour to stay away from that spicy meal you planned for dinner. Given this elemental interplay, Ayurveda views the anatomy and biology of a person as a network of systems, a bundle of interactions co-creating physical and mental harmony. And when one of these connections is blocked or disrupted due to a wide range of possible causes – from how you sleep and what you eat to where you live and how you relate to your neighbor – the harmony is disturbed, and it may lead to dis/ease.
We still have thoughts on our minds, love and aches in our hearts. Insightful people, born in a period of time on earth where distraction was way less, had the opportunity and exquisite ability to observe, understand and perceive the laws of nature. By sitting still in a meditative inquisition. They also experienced how those laws are reflected in, inter-connected and inter-dependent with the physiology, psychology and spirit of human beings. In short, how we are (part of) nature. In its very essence as a medical science, Ayurveda is built on the concept of Pancha Maha Bhuta i.e. the 5 great elements – ether, air, fire, water and earth that make up life on earth.
Everything is born from their interaction. Everything is sustained from their interaction. And eventually everything decays because of their interaction. Ayurveda uses the qualities of each to identify not only the homeostasis but also the pathology, the diagnosis and treatment of a person. Furthermore, seasons, climates, stages of life, both physical and mental constitutions, dietary and lifestyle habits can all be analyzed and understood with this framework. And they will also influence each other. For example, if it’s a hot summer day and you had a stressful day at work, you’ll make yourself a (cooling) favour to stay away from that spicy meal you planned for dinner. Given this elemental interplay, Ayurveda views the anatomy and biology of a person as a network of systems, a bundle of interactions co-creating physical and mental harmony. And when one of these connections is blocked or disrupted due to a wide range of possible causes – from how you sleep and what you eat to where you live and how you relate to your neighbor – the harmony is disturbed, and it may lead to dis/ease.
We still have thoughts on our minds, love and aches in our hearts. Insightful people, born in a period of time on earth where distraction was way less, had the opportunity and exquisite ability to observe, understand and perceive the laws of nature. By sitting still in a meditative inquisition. They also experienced how those laws are reflected in, inter-connected and inter-dependent with the physiology, psychology and spirit of human beings. In short, how we are (part of) nature. In its very essence as a medical science, Ayurveda is built on the concept of Pancha Maha Bhuta i.e. the 5 great elements – ether, air, fire, water and earth that make up life on earth.
Most importantly, in my personal experience, Ayurveda stands for a frank but loving wise grandparent who does not judge but does its best to explore and explain what the causes are for one’s state of (well)being. It helps us understand where we are, where we come from and what is the most supportive way forward. It pertinently educates us on and inspires us with how to navigate the complexities and layers of life. So that we get to live a strong and good life even though it isn’t always an easy one.
