Maharishi Ayurveda Newsletter Archive |
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What Exactly is a Behavioral Rasayana?To answer this question, let us first understand what a rasayana is. The word "rasayana" means "that which supports rasa. Rasa or plasma is the first of the seven tissues, namely:
Rasa, quite obviously, is the foundation of the human physiology: therefore, anything that supports rasa nourishes the other tissues and the immune system. Maharishi Ayurveda bestows the status of a rasayana on super-healing foods and supplements such as ashwagandha, ghee, and above all, Amrit. Made from 44 rare healing herbs and fruits, Amrit is a nutritional supplement that boosts immunity and overall health. But that is as far as physical rasayanas are concerned. Rasayanas of the Mind A behavioral rasayana is that which deals with the mind's influence on the body in a very concrete, observable way. For instance, when you are happy, your body releases certain feel-good chemicals that promote health. On the other hand, when you are stressed or unhappy, the body releases neurochemicals that put a strain on and harm the body's vital organs. Many centuries ago, ayurvedic physicians made this connection between the mind's state of health and its effect on the body's well-being. That is why, they laid down a comprehensive list of behaviors that a person must cultivate in order to achieve perfect health or "swaasthya. In fact, ayurvedic sages were so convinced of the mind-body relationship that they emphasized matters such as a doctor's bedside manner as key components in the process of healing. In his insightful book, "Contemporary Ayurveda," Dr. Hari Sharma lists some of the healing and toxic behaviors according to classical ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita. Behaviors and attitudes to maximize:
Behaviors and attitudes to be avoided:
Another important rasayana, says Dr. Sharma, is "knowing the measure of time and place with propriety. In other words, a healthy and regular daily routine is an important behavioral rasayana. Modern science calls it chronobiology-following the natural rhythms of nature. The Value of Routine Following a regular routine is one of the founding principles in ayurvedic healing. Taking simple steps such as re-scheduling your meal and bed times can make a huge difference to your health, says Maharishi Ayurveda. The age-old advice of "early to bed and early to rise" can truly be your key to happiness. However, "early to bed" in these stressful times has become less easy to achieve than it sounds. If you are among the 70 million Americans struggling to get a good night's sleep, here are some tips that will help you out: Sleep Easy Tonight Begin with three easy changes in your lifestyle:
See a Vaidya An ayurvedic physician will study your pulse and determine which specific imbalances are causing your sleep disorders. Based on his conclusions, the vaidya can recommend herb blends to help restore overall balance, and with it, your ability to sleep well. Maharishi Ayurveda has in its treasury of herbal healers some wonderful sleep-formulations. The Blissful Sleep herbal tablets promote deep and restful sleep. The ingredients in these tablets are time-tested healers. Indian Valerian and Musk Root are highly respected in Ayurveda as natural sleep aids. Winter Cherry helps balance the mind and emotions. The first night that you get the sleep of your dreams, you will have taken a giant step toward feeling healthier and happier. Then, blessed with physical and mental well-being, you will find it easy--and natural--to follow the behavioral rasayanas in your life
These articles provide a great resource from The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians on the knowledge, practices, products, and applications of Maharishi Ayurveda. Disclaimer |
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