Many of the Ayurvedic guidelines originated in a different time and culture. Nevertheless, the essence of most of these guidelines is often still valid, and also of great value – certainly when correctly interpreted and rightly adapted to this time and culture. They can then contribute to both smaller and greater happiness and well-being, even on the deeper levels of our soul.
This contributing to both basic and deeper levels of life – of every human and living being – is verily one of the main objectives of Ayurveda. In order to enthuse people to realise these various levels of happiness, there is this sutra which encourages everyone to ‘seriously study’ or at least ‘engage with’ Ayurveda.
Vaghbata Sutrasthan Chapter 3
Ayuh kamayamanena dharmartha sukha sadhanam
Ayurvedopadsheshu vidheyah param adarah“Those who pursue a long and happy life, which is the path to attaining dharma, artha and sukha, should focus entirely on studying or at least respecting the (life) guidelines as found in the Ayurveda teachings.”
(free translation)
Ayurveda is – apart from encompassing a superb medicinal system – above all also a way of life or lifestyle. This ‘way of life’ can be ‘practised’, i.e. be ‘put into practice’, by anyone – adapted to the needs and essence of each and every individual. Hence, Ayurveda is a ‘self-study’ of life in the broadest sense of the word. While at the same time also being a study of the ‘Self’, in the more elevated sense.
What a wealth can we find in this science we call Ayurveda! And what a joy to both dive into it as a ‘serious student’ as well as just to simply share its basics with your fellow human and other living beings – be it your (future) patients, your (future) clients, your family, your friends, your pets, the nature and environment or society you live in, and even with this planet Earth we all live on.
Coen van der Kroon
