ayurveda: what is it?
The Science of Life
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that translates to “the science (or knowledge) of life”. Around 5,000+ years ago, Ayurveda was born from the great sages. Some say that this is the oldest healing system in the world. At some point, this ancient medicine was written down through sacred texts called the Vedas. Ayurvedic medicine is still preserved today and has gained popularity in recent years in the Western world for its spiritual connection to the body and orientation to root-cause diagnosis.
Ayurveda is the ancient wisdom that teaches us how to live in communion with nature. This meaning: adapting appropriately to each season and rhythm and cycle of life, knowing our bodies and how they communicate with us, knowing how to use the habitat that surrounds you to your wellbeing and advantage, and knowing how to digest what we come into contact with: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Even though we may feel like Nature is outside of us, it isn’t so. We are nature. We are cautious to feed animals “human” foods because we know they could become sick. We are the same way- the only difference is that we have become so accustomed to feeding ourselves poorly that we don’t even recognize the illness until it is too advanced. We carry nature within us. Just as the trees know to shed their leaves each year and the birds know when to migrate, so does your body know exactly what to do. We see Nature in the constant beating of our heart and regulation of our homeostasis. Our bodies follow their instinct to keep us alive. And so, we must live in this state of harmony with Nature. Without this harmony and basic instinct, we find imbalance and illness. Ayurveda says we don’t need to get to that point. We can recognize imbalances early, treat them, and constantly work to prevent illness and maintain our vitality.
My Path with Ayurveda
In modern life, we are faced with new challenges that our ancestors did not have. Information overload, modern conveniences, lack of generational wisdom passed down, the list goes on. Are we doomed? I like to think not. Everything in life has a solution, and we are living in very interesting and new times to find those solutions. Ayurveda has been one of those solutions for me. I live in the modern world like everybody else, but I know my body and soul are more ancient than I can even fathom. I know that the wisdom of the ancestors and of Creation is never too old and it is never lost. In fact, it is precisely the medicine we need for these disconnected times and just waiting for us to invite it in. And by the way, I am not someone that never eats processed food, never watches TV, or never forgets who I am. I enjoy all of the human pleasures just as much as anyone else, and I make mistakes constantly. What helps me stay balanced is having Ayurveda as a guide post, a pillar, and an ally on my path to keep me grounded, energetic, strong, and surrendered to life with an open heart. And what I love most is being able to share this ancient knowledge of Creation with all of you, just as those who taught me have shared with me.
“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.” -Ramana Maharshi
