The first discipline that comes to mind which is capable of identifying people’s psyche, as to the constituents of man and the reasons for his biological behavior is not “Ayurveda”, perhaps it is Psychology. But for the record, Ancient sages and yogis who predominantly practiced Ayurveda understood that the true path to bliss is the journey inward. “Would it be a stretch to wonder that mental health was significant even centuries before modern science recruited psychology to address mental health?” The Ayurvedic approach to healing mental problems did not start with the mind, but instead used the connection between the mind and body, to heal mental disturbances physically. These techniques along with simple modifications to day to day life completely changed ones outlook and how they interacted in the world around them, and more importantly leading to a place of self-acceptance and understanding.
Ayurveda traditionally covers health and disease for body, and mind, which reflect one another. It is inherently as much a psychological therapy as a physical treatment. Its emphasis on reducing the doshas and improving sattva guna provides it with a foundation on both levels. Ayurveda’s relationship with Yoga enhances its psychological approach. Ayurveda’s behavioural and lifestyle regimens, which include meditation, sustain psychological wellbeing overall. In the above emerging backdrop, “Ayurveda” has perhaps an important role to play.
One of the basic tenets of Ayurveda is that man is a microcosm of the very world that he inhabits. This implies explicitly that whatever man is made up of, the world too is made up of those same elements, but of different combinations and degrees: Akasa(space), Vayu(air), Tejas(fire), Ap(water) and Prithv(earth). These five elements combine with each other to form the three life forces- Vata, Pitta and Kapha (also called as the Tri-doshas in unison) which is the cornerstone of ones prakriti (personality type). The three Doshas are considered to be universal principles that function in all aspects of material creation, including the mineral, plant, animal, the time of day, the seasons of the year, even the planets and galaxies. In this way, the human physiology is inexorably connected to the whole of existence in this universe which evolved out of the ‘un-manifested’ (Avyakta). Mahan (intellect) then evolves from Avyakta, and Ahamkara (ego) follows. Ego has three different qualities (Gunas): Sattva (pure, balanced), Rajas (dynamic, agitated), and Tamas (inertia, heavy, dark). The gunas are not good or bad. They can be in a supportive state or they can be in an excess or a deficient state.
In Ayurveda, there are different treatment protocols. One approach is to, rather than worrying about rajas and tamas, focus on boosting sattva. The other approach to working with the gunas is to counter excess tamas with a little bit of rajas or to reduce excess rajas with a little bit of tamas. However, because of trauma, injury, or day-to-day stress, it’s all also too easy to cause imbalance in the doshas. In Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old sister science of yoga, the word for feeling separate from one’s self, from others, from the universe’s unlimited source of love is called prajnaparadha, or “mistake of the intellect,” which is also deemed a root cause of disease. We often lose touch with our inner worlds, where we find true contentment; we trade in our bliss for superficial pursuits instead. As a result, we compensate by lacing the body and mind with ego and hence physique, wit, or career end up defining us; material consumption and instant gratification (such Instagram likes) are the only activities that spark a pulse of feeling at all.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, while 1 in 13 people suffer from anxiety. On the whole, an overzealous desire for more contributes to maya, the “illusion” of reality. To overcome this desire, one needs to seek the real path to bliss, the journey inward; a deep exploration and purification of each layer, which ultimately allows you to access your true self and outshine the illusion. Simply acknowledging and becoming aware of mental imbalances is a huge step towards healing them. It may be a long journey, and certainly requires patience and persistence. Whatever you are working with, try not to put yourself under pressure, as this stress can lead to deeper more damaging thoughts and even counteract the healing you are working towards.
To start with, balance your physical body with food, lifestyle modifications, and yoga practice; you can begin to propel life force throughout your physical body and into your mental body as well to create a heightened state of consciousness. This combination of nature and nurture determines physical, physiological and psychological constitution of dosha. Each dosha follows the characteristics of its corresponding elements, and has disease tendencies to match. One will have a combination of qualities but some will be more dominant, and so once you know which category you fall into you can use different techniques based on your individual needs to work through problems and imbalances and that is what Ayurveda works with. By the ways of this ancient wisdom you are connected to this universe, you are secure, purposeful, and joyful. From the significant stuff, like starting a new relationship, to seemingly frivolous acts like ordering a product on Ayurkruti (https://ayurkruti.com/), you are conscious of, and clear on, what you add to your proverbial (and literal) cart—and why.
