Disease begins when we forget our own true nature. Once we forget our true nature as spirit, we understand ourselves only as body and mind, and become wrapped up in the nature of the physical world and all of its stories and drama. This results in disturbances in the mind called “vrittis” which disturb the mental tranquility which cause emotional disturbances bubbling up and upsetting the biological energies which control the body and result in physical diseases. Forgetting our true nature as spirit is the primordial cause of disease.

WHAT ARE THE TWO PRINCIPLE GOALS OF AYURVEDA?

The highest goal of Ayurveda has never been immortality in the physical sense, but spiritual immortality in the form of enlightenment. Hence, the goal of Ayurveda has always been to keep people healthy, while they pursue their more important spiritual goals.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF HEALTH (SWASTHA) FROM AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE?

 In Sanskrit, the word for health, or perfect health, is sva-stha. This term comes from the root “swa” meaning self, and “stha” meaning established. Hence the term swastha means established self. Furthermore perfect health comes from the end result of both positive self-esteem, (self)and spiritual Self-awareness (SELF). Both are necessary for the production of good health. With both of these firmly in hand, a person can attain Self-Realization and maintain perfect health along the journey.

WHAT ARE THE THREE FUNDAMENTAL CAUSES OF DISEASE?

1. THE UNWHOLESOME CONJUNCTION OF THE SENSES WITH THE OBJECTS OF THEIR AFFECTION….understanding itself only through the mind , body, and senses life becomes the simple pursuit of pleasure. Furthermore, when people take into their body that which does not match their constitution, is considered to be misusing the senses. By understanding the role of the senses, Ayurveda  utilizes the five sensory therapies in order to bring healing. Taste therapy in the form of diet and herbs….touch therapy in the form of massage….visual therapy in the form of color….sound therapy in the form of mantras….and smell therapy in the form of aromatherapy.

2. Prajnaparadha: intellectual blasphemy, the failure of the intellect or crimes against wisdom…..when we listen deeply inside ourselves, we find that we know how to act in ways that would bring us toward health and peace of mind. Our intellect is connected to both our senses and our soul. While our senses lead us astray, our soul leads it to harmony. Understanding the role of the intellect in the causes of disease, Ayurveda utilizes Yoga to train the intellect to listen deeply and hear the whispers of the soul. When a person hears the voice of the soul, he or she becomes aware of the connection to God. This connection fills the listener with spiritual energy and empowers that person to overcome the temptations of the senses.  
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4. PARINAMA: TRANSFORMATION OR DECAY DUE TO TIME AND MOTION….while linear time is static, biological time is dynamic. The pace of biological time changes in response to motion. What is important to understand more than physical motion is how busy we are in the movement of the mind. When the mind is active, distracted in the future or the past, biological time speeds up. WHEN THE MIND IS FOCUSED AND IN THE PRESENT, BIOLOGIVAL TIME SLOWS DOWN. When the mind is perfectly still, as occurs in deep meditation, there is no passage of biological time. Ayurveda utilizes specific routines to help a person focus on the present moment. The single-pointed mind is fixed on the present and does not drift to the past or future. Time slows down, stress is reduced, the mind is at peace and the body remains healthy.

WHAT IS THE PRIMORDIAL CAUSE OF ALL DISEASE?

Disease begins when we forget our own true nature. Once we forget our true nature as spirit, we understand ourselves only as body and mind, and become wrapped up in the nature of the physical world and all of its stories and drama. This results in disturbances in the mind called “vrittis” which disturb the mental tranquility which cause emotional disturbances bubbling up and upsetting the biological energies which control the body and result in physical diseases. Forgetting our true nature as spirit is the primordial cause of disease.