Ayurveda - the science of life

Ayurveda or ayurvedic ist not limited to be a healing system or a simple way to cure diseases. First of all it is a way of life.

The Sanskrit Word "Ayu" contains all aspects of life from birth to death. The word "Veda" means knowledge and learning.

Hence Ayurveda means knowledge and learning from life. It is a way of life that includes ayurveda medicine, ayurvedic herbs, ayurvedic healing, ayurvedic retreats and ayurvedic holidays with wholesome ayurveda Massage, yoga and meditation in an ayurveda hotel or center.

The Vedas are regarded as the oldest written record of knowledge. The Vedas were given to mankind through the Rishis or seers of wisdom. Finally it was brought to a comprehensive system to  the west by Maharishi Mahesh.

Indian Philosophy and Yoga - the theory of creation

The Sankhya (indian philosophy) and Yoga system provide the basic philosophy for Ayurveda. The Sankhya theory of creation does not stop at the level of five elements - like other systems. Though there are

• five categories of knowledge at the level of the sense organs.
• three at the level of mind.
• and only one at the level of the intellect.

The theory of Prakriti and Purusha

Every sensation can be analysed into three types - pleasurable - neutral - or painful.

These tree types are also called the three Gunas - Sattva, - Rajas - and Tamas. The balanced form of the gunas is called Prakriti or primal Nature.

The way of knowing occurs only in the intellect. But how do we know about pleasure, - or pain? Sankhya in Ayurveda names this principle Purusha or consciousness.

• Prakriti shows difference -
• Purusha shows unity.

When they are combined, creation starts - and when they get divided, creation comes to an end.

• Our Souls reflect the Purusha (unity)
• Our material body, mind and intellect derive from Prakriti (difference)

The focus of Sankhya, the philosophy of Ayurveda, is to give liberation to the Purusha. This liberation is called moksha. The permanent seperated state of our soul should be the everlasting joy.

The philosophy of Ayurveda describes the goal of treatment as state of liberation. Ayurveda does not advise to ignore the body though our body is not endless. Ayurveda teaches us the need to care for the body, strengthen its stability and vitality.

Ayurveda considers tthe Purusha (soul) associated with Prakriti (body) as  the individual purpose of promoting health.

Starting from these two principles Ayurveda philosophy knows 23 basic principles of existence.

Praktriti as a combination of the tree gunas, is always floating. Ayurveda explains this as the reason for creation - and destruction, - occurring in the body.

Ayurveda recommends to increase Sattva by regulation with Yoga. The increase of Sattva gives an alert memory and intellect. An increase of Raja and Tama causes dullness in the mind. To increase Sattva and decrease Raja and Tama, Yoga gives a system of behaviour, called Yama - and Niyama.