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traditions
Ayurvedic healing
psychospiritual approaches
definition
The East Indian philosophy of Ayurveda is one of the oldest healing systems known, and is perhaps the origin for all subsequent systems. Based on the theory of 'tridosha', or the three humors (fire, mucous, and wind), Ayurveda assigns a particular set of characteristics to each person according to his or her discomfort and constitutional makeup. After discovering one's elemental imbalances, the practitioner applies various natural agents in order to restore equilibrium, thereby ameliorating the cause of disease.
Ayurveda arises from a cosmology. The three humors represent the basic energetic qualities of the universe and consequently govern the microcosm of man. It is, therefore, a complete system of healing. Traditionally, Ayurveda is connected to the spiritual wisdom of the Vedas, the oldest sacred scriptures of India. Thus the Ayurvedic practitioner serves the dual role of priest and healer.
Ayurveda is more than just a healing system. It is the science and art of appropriate living. Its purpose is to allow a person to understand his constitutional make-up and to choose diet, living conditions, and regimes suited to his or her particular constitutional needs. Like every branch of yoga, Ayurveda is based on the harmonization of the three universal tendencies, the mind, and the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether). The elements and the universal tendencies are comprehensive terms covering all the physical structures and physiological functions in the living body.
Every structure and every function in the physical body has a counterpart in the subtle body, and most diseases originate in the subtle body. According to Ayurveda and Hatha Yoga, no healing therapy is complete unless it takes into consideration the health of the subtle body.
(Bliss, Baba Hari Das and Dharma Sara Satsang, p. 53)
see:
attitudinal healing
compassion and healing
healing belief systems
healing power of humor
healing power of meditation
healing power of prayer
holographic consciousness
human energy fields
Kahuna healing
mind beyond body
Native American healing
psychic healing
quantum healing
search for god
state-dependent learning
Sufi healing
Tai Qi as a healing art
the shadow and physical symptoms
transference and countertransference
yogic view of the human body
footnotes