We live in an age of
turmoil, tension and transition. The old is collapsing and the new is struggling
to be born, we find ourselves adrift on a turbulent ocean with no established
landmarks between the vanished past and an indeterminate future. Ayurveda can be
a good source of healing and inspiration.
The image of Ayurveda has
been distorted by glossy pictures of seaside resorts, oil being poured over a
forehead, beautiful hands massaging a back, healthy looking vegetarian dishes
and colourful Indian herbal spices. All of the above are to be found as posters
and brochures as Ayurvedic supplements in health shops and on the
internet.
Is that Ayurveda though?
Is that all that this oldest living healing science means?
These images present a very
limited view of Ayurveda as a short detox holiday. Very few people realize just
how incomplete this picture is. Ayurveda is a highly specialized and scientific
form of ancient medicine. It is about various aspects such as healing, energy,
kindness, compassion, cooking, music, beauty and colours. In India a VAIDYA
(Ayurvedic doctor) must complete a six-year university degree. All Ayurvedic
graduates are trained in both Ayurvedic and medical hospitals. A 3-year
post-graduate MD degree is offered to the most successful graduates.
Is
Ayurveda a religious philosophy? No, definitely not! Ayurveda is a product of
experiences of Vedic civilisations that occurred thousands of years ago.
Ayurveda was created for human well being and Vedic philosophy and is not based
on any specific text or on the teachings of any particular person or any
specific point in time. There is a pluralism which is built into the very
structure of Vedic thought, because it is based on the collective wisdom of
seers and sages referred to as 'Rishis'. The great utterances of the Rishis have
come down to us over many thousands of years and remain a source of great
inspiration. An Ayurvedic doctor
...Eyebright is a name Greek Deriving of the word Euphrosyne which mean gladness, It is said that it appeared in Greece and was brought to Arabs in their Golden era thereafter Spread in many places in the world like Western Asia and North America...
Eyebright herb benefits