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Ayurveda and cultivation of the consciousness

· 2 min read· updated 30 May 2022

Students walking quietly along Agonda Beach

According to the Ayurvedic system, a person is not composed simply of its corporate entity. It is comprised of the five great elements of ether, air, fire, water, earth. It is also composed of the three Major Gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. If you study Ayruveda in India, this knowledge is taught as part of the basic concepts.

A Living Being’s Basic Nature

As a holistic approach to healing and living, Ayurveda believes its major principles and, in fact, all its views and principles are part of the very fabric of every person’s living. This is not life experienced on special occasions, as part of rituals or under certain circumstances. This is life as every living being goes through it every single day. If you study Ayurveda, you will come to realize this is an essential teaching not to be ignored or downplayed if you wish to become a therapist or realize the full potential of this life wisdom.

Therefore, if a person is to realize his or her full potential and to expand beyond any physical, emotional/mental or spiritual levels to reach consciousness or awareness, he or she must achieve it through understanding the true nature of the body and its relationship to our inner and outer selves. He or she must also work with Ayurveda proven practices to regulate and enhance our experiences.

The Four Vedic Inspirations

Part of the wisdom and cultivation of consciousness relates to the four Vedic inspirations. These are:

  • Dharma – basically defined as duty
  • Artha – defined as material goods or possessions
  • Kama – usually considered the pleasure in living
  • Moksha – described as the ultimate freedom or salvation

These four are life goals. They combine the physical or corporeal with the non-tangible. It is important to understand their role in life in order to address any imbalance and to know what techniques will best be applicable. This is particularly applicable concerning Moksha.

Cultivating Consciousness

There are several ways to realize Moksha nada chive or at least cultivate consciousness. A wide range of various elements that comprise one’s life require examination before the approach may be clearly defined. In general, the study of Ayurveda in India will involve close examination of such things as lifestyle including diet. This may result in suggesting changes to fit in with their current state of being and their body type (vata, pitta, kapha). One suggested means is meditation with the awareness of the Path of Alignment. Another possibility is Ayurvedic massage which involves oils and specific Marma points.

If you do decide to study Ayurveda in India, it may result in your experiencing true freedom for the first time in your life. Most certainly the group setting and specialized knowledge will help you understand the intricate and holistic forces that comprise all life. By doing so, you can move towards the cultivation of your own consciousness.

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