Science of life
The boom of Ayurveda enthusiasm, which is translated from Sanskrit means “the science of life”, has reached Russia. Essentially different from the usual for Europeans, the ancient Indian methods of treatment and rehabilitation have been recognized even by such a strict and picky organization as WHO. However, for most people, this is nothing more than exotic medicine implicated in the search for prakriti, or the true nature of man and its three constituent dosha energies – vata, pitta, and kapha.
For centuries, Ayurveda has been consigned to oblivion. She gained a second life thanks to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who became the founder of modern Vedic teaching. The rise of its popularity is due to Ayurveda legendary musicians from the Beatles. Accidentally appearing at the performance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi about “Spiritual Revival” in London Hilton, they were so imbued with his ideas that they immediately asked for permission to come to him for a private 10-day course, which took place in Bangor, in Wales, and after that they followed the guru to india in rishikesh.
There was nothing to dream of more advertising. The popularity of the Maharishi teachings has increased so much that by 1965 the number of Ayurveda adherents worldwide amounted to about a million people. And in 1985, it was recognized by WHO as an effective alternative medicine system, and Ayurvedic doctors were officially allowed to open their own clinics. “It took the advent of a scientific era so that the world could fully appreciate the significance of Ayurveda as a complete and perfect health care system,” concluded the founder of the modern direction of Ayurveda Maharishi. Although, most likely, Ayurveda would not have gained such fame in the West if not for the willingness of the admirers of the magnificent four to blindly follow the example of their idols.
Five steps to health
Ancient Indian books of wisdom Vedas relate to all aspects of human existence. One of the earliest – Atharvaveda (Veda spells and spells), which is supposedly about 5 thousand years old, was devoted to health. The principles of therapeutic effects, based on creating a harmonious relationship between nature and man, and became the foundation of modern Ayurveda. Despite the fact that it was adapted for European consumers in a certain way, it is not easy to understand how it “works”. And this is not surprising, because pragmatic people of the West are more accustomed to academic medicine, which is aimed at developing new methods and technologies.
And although the goal of therapeutic measures in both directions is one, the approach to getting rid of the disease is different. Thus, according to the sacred teachings, man is not a creature standing on the highest stage of the development of living organisms, but only a small particle of the Universe, consisting of five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. And any violations in their interaction are just a disease. True, following Ayurvedic terminology, it would be more correct to say not “illness”, but “lack of health” or “its deficiency”, for which restoration it is enough to eliminate the imbalance. This complex system does not involve self-treatment and, of course, requires control from an experienced guru doctor. By the way, to become a professional, or, as they call themselves, vaidyas, you need to get the appropriate education in special universities.
However, for complete healing, the patient has to go through 5 levels of “repair”, which will complete the combination of the integrity of the physical and spiritual in a person. So, the first level of treatment is aimed at eliminating bodily disease. This is achieved by a special diet, the use of herbs, various types of massage and special exercises. But this, according to Ayurveda experts, is just an ambulance event: improving health and alleviating suffering is no more than a temporary result, as it affects only coarse (bodily) matter without touching the more subtle – mind and spirit.
The second stage is aimed at the formation of good habits and is the prevention of mental and bodily diseases. These include various breathing exercises, adherence to the daily regimen, yoga exercises, cleansing of the body, which is carried out with the use of light herbs and oils, and in this case is assigned to everyone. A more radical method, involving emetic therapy and enemas (Panchakarma procedure), is not shown to everyone and is not mandatory for all patients.
Having dealt with coarse matter, you can move to the third step of cultivation, where it is necessary to find harmony in relationships with people around you. To achieve this, it is necessary to get rid of shortcomings while working on your own character.
The fourth stage of treatment is the development of consciousness, which is promoted by an ascetic lifestyle, reading auspicious Vedic hymns, prayers and mantras. At this level, a person needs a spiritual guide who will help establish himself in the correctness of the chosen path. By the way, exactly at this place the Beatles’ convictions faltered. Something prevented their mentor from reaching their consciousness.
