What is Ayurveda?

The literal meaning of Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words ayuh meaning "life or longevity" and Veda meaning "science, sacred knowledge, or wisdom" (Banyan Botanicals, glossary). Ayurveda roughly translates to the "Science of Life" or "Sacred knowledge for Longevity" or "Life Wisdom," whichever you prefer.

But this does not explain in detail what Ayurveda is. Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest and most effective medical systems for the prevention and treatment of chronic care conditions. Notice I said chronic, not acute. It's crucial to understand the difference between these two terms.

The definition of chronic care is medical care designed to prevent or treat pre-existing or long-term illnesses and diseases. The definition of acute care is medical care designed to help patients with short-term treatment for active, severe injuries, current episodes, urgent medical situations, and before, during, or after surgical procedures.

Ayurveda is:

- Complimentary to current medical practices

- Meant for chronic care treatments

- Holistic- treats the entire body & mind as a whole rather than focusing on different parts. When one area of the body is suffering, it is an indication of a more significant problem.

- Preventative- Aims to solve the root of the issues, through teaching prevention methods to patients

- Longevity- 100% all-natural with emphasis on healing, rejuvenation, and purification. Science & art of appropriate living. Focuses on long-term solutions

- An Actual Science

Ayurveda is not:

- NOT a complete replacement to current medical practices

- NOT meant for acute care trauma such as car accidents or heart attacks

- NOT a Band-aid treatment, only focused on one piece of the puzzle at a time

- NOT a set of Short-term solutions to long-term problems

- NOT only for doctors, but basics can also be taught to patients to prevent the need for care

- NOT a quick fix

- NOT narrowly focused on individual symptoms

- NOT 'alternative' medicine but considered by many as 'primary' care

Ayurveda is also a Lifestyle.

Ayurveda was designed to complement the individual and avoids the 'one-size-fits-all' treatments practices of Western Medicine. From our daily routine, our current imbalances, our seasonal changes, to our physical geographic location, Ayurveda can be altered and modified to fit everyone's unique needs.

How can this be? Because Ayurveda respects the law of individual differences, while also upholding the oneness of humanity. And it is far less expensive than western medical practices. It focuses on prevention, instead of bad-aid fixes. Ayurveda looks at the patient as an entire human, and not as just another symptom. Ayurveda treats the body, mind, and soul as one cohesive unit instead of fragments of one another.

Once we all begin to understand the basic fundamental principles of Ayurveda, we begin to apply them to everyday uses easily. Ayurveda has the potential to save all our lives long-term. Regardless of social status, race, ethnicity, religious views, or gender. Ayurveda is for All.

What are the origins of Ayurveda?

The Ayurveda we know and love today has not changed much from its original origins, over 5000 years ago. It was born from the beautiful and ancient culture of India. In Hindu tradition, Ayurveda comes from the deity, Lord Brahma, who passed it down to Lord Dhanwantari. This deity was said to gift Ayurveda to humanity through the meditative practices of ancient Sages and Rishis. These Sages and Rishis were responsible for developing and designing the three sister sciences of our world's beloved Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish. They became the Guru's of these trusted and dependable ancient sciences.

Through the oral tradition of the Gurukula system, the students transcribed the teachings from their Guru's and created the ancient scriptures of Ayurvedic (and Yogic, and Jyotish) practice. The scriptures most commonly referred to in Ayurveda is the Atharva Veda, the fourth (and some believe the fifth) Vedic text. These scriptures laid the bedrock for the "how-to practices" of the Vedic sciences. The practitioners used the process referred to as the 'scientific method' to determine what worked and what didn't work. These tried and true methods of trial and error have brought us to the contemporary Ayurveda that we see today.

What is the goal of Ayurveda?

"Ayurveda provides a guideline for physical [spiritual] and mental wellbeing by empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain a positive state of health daily" (AWC Participant Manual, SIH 2019).

Ayurveda is a holistic medical and lifestyle practice that can easily be adapted to meet the needs of the individual as well as the collective. Its primary focus is on preventative care, with all-natural treatments that are proven time and time again to increase the longevity of the patient.

"Ayurveda's ultimate goal is the same as that of Yoga [and Jyotish]: achieving Moksha- Liberation" (AWC Participant Manual, SIH, 2019).

If we want to obtain liberation, enlightenment, salvation, (whatever title you would like to use), we must begin to focus our health inwards. Ayurveda is here to help.

References:

Definition of Ayurveda found here: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/learning-ayurveda/glossary-of-ayurvedic-terms/

Definition of Chronic Care found here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_care

Definition of Acute Care found here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_care

Definition of Hinduism: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Source link for Jyotish: https://srigaruda.com/

Definition of Gurukula system: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurukula

Definition of the scientific method: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method

Ayurveda Wellness Course (AWC) source link: https://sivananda.org/programmes/ayurveda/