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| What is Ayurveda |
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| Ayurveda in the 21st Century |
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 We are undergoing a fundamental shift in the way healthcare is provided. What we are experiencing today represents a move towards holism. The old medical establishment viewed the human being as a machine, with separate systems, organs, and tissues; it separated mind and body into distinct categories.
Modern thinking acknowledges the mutual interdependence of the physical body, mind, emotions, and the environment in creating health and disease. It has removed the absolute authority from the doctor and has re-fashioned a model of shared responsibility; primarily by the patient, but also by the physician to a lesser extent, in order to maintain good health.
At the centre of this shift is Ayurveda as it is a healing system which promotes health using natural, non-toxic substances and which recognises the important role of the mind and emotions.
Ayurveda compared with modern medicine
 Modern Western allopathic medicine is based on a medical model which is basically mechanical, materialistic, inorganic and inert. It considers only the physical body and treats the mind as a physical entity. It emphasises the use of inorganic substances (drugs), mechanical testing, invasive treatments like surgery and a passive approach by the patient.
It has difficulty recognising disease which it can't measure mechanically and it focuses on suppression of symptoms - usually by some form of treatment which destroys healthy tissue and organic functioning and poisons the body while it kills the "external invaders". This makes it potentially very dangerous and in many cases its treatment may actually create new disease. In addition, the focus is often on treating the disease and not the person. Treatment is seldom applied with any changes to the lifestyle or awareness of the patient.
While it is the most sophisticated and complex form of medicine in terms of equipment, testing and information, it is also the crudest in terms of treatment - it approaches fixing the body in the same way as fixing a machine. However, it is an extremely useful form of medicine for treating emergency situations such as accidents and heart attack victims. Advances such as antibiotics and immunisation have also saved many lives. But we need to be aware that allopathic medicine does not have a long history of success. Many of its medicines are very new and haven't had time to prove themselves as safe or enduring. Antibiotics are widely overused and used inappropriately. This is damaging our level of health. In addition the use by date of antibiotics is just around the corner. Bacteria are adapting to, and becoming resistant to, antibiotics faster than we can develop new ones.
This actually says a lot about the life process. Bacteria are living entities guided by the life-force of the universe. They are outsmarting the material mind which seeks to use simple mental analysis to conquer disease. A good example would be the onset of MRSA and other bacteria in hospitals.
Ayurveda should, however not be thought of as a total replacement for allopathic medicine. Each form of medicine has its own strengths. Ayurveda is about improving health and preventing illness through increased self awareness. It is not about treating car accident victims.
Ayurveda, in contrast with conventional medicine, is organic, naturalistic and energetic. Its treatment focuses on harmonising the life-force and strengthening the body through natural substances such as herbs and diet, and action by the individual such as lifestyle changes and exercise. It often considers the role of psychological conditions in the illness process. Illness is frequently seen as an expression of the body eliminating excess toxins which have been created by poor diet and lifestyle.
Ayurveda sees all life and nature constantly evolving toward a higher level of consciousness. All substances have an impact at this higher level of consciousness as well as the more gross body level. Ayurveda seeks to connect us with this intelligence inherent in nature.
It categorises substances and activities according to their capacity to achieve this higher level of consciousness. It recommends we avoid substances which stimulate us or dull us. Stimulants and dulling substances distort consciousness and lead to a lack of sensitivity and self awareness. For example, the cup of coffee we have to drink to get us going in the morning may take us to work and get us to do the job but then who is it that is going to work and running our lives - us or the coffee?
Why is Ayurveda so relevant in the West today?
 You tossed and turned all night. The alarm didn’t go off. You’re late for work and the train has been delayed. There’s a deadline to meet, but your computer is acting up. Three cups of coffee later, your head still throbs. Your back hurts. Your eyes sting each time you blink.
Sounds familiar? The answer to our hectic lifestyle in the modern world is not simply to pop an aspirin in order to block the pain temporarily, but to seek a viable long term solution. It would not be realistic to suggest that we all give up our stressful careers in order to live better and longer. But it is justified to say that with a little thought and attention, we can manage our health much better within our existing lifestyles. This can be achieved by taking measures as small and quick as consistently taking herbal supplements as well as following recommended dietary intakes as per our constitution. We just need to make a small investment in ourselves. |
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| In a Nutshell |
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| The Doshas |
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| Ayurvedic lifestyle and routines |
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Opening hours : Monday – Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm | Saturday 9.00am – 6.00pm | Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm.
32 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DX, England. Email: info@ayurveda-retreat.co.uk |
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