Textbook of Ayurveda. A history and philosophy of Ayurveda 1

V. 1. A history and philosophy of Ayurveda In his "Ayurvedic Studies Program", Vasant Lad teaches Ayurveda as a science of moment-to-moment living. Each lecture that he gives flows from his own heart in a river of healing wisdom. This textbook conveys the philosophical and fundamental principles of Ayurveda in a dynamic and inspirational way, providing a detailed foundation upon which to pursue deeper knowledge. Dedication Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgements About the Author Editor's Note Chapter One - Shad Darshan Introduction Sankhya Purusha and Prakruti Mahad (Creative Intelligence) Ahamkara Sattva Rajas Tamas Nyaya and Vaisheshika The Four Pramana—Sources of Valid Knowledge The Elements Soul (Atman) Mind (Manas) Time (Kala) Direction (Dig) Mimamsa Yoga Vedanta Buddhism Chapter Two - Universal Attributes and Doshic Theory The Five Elements and Their Attributes The Five Elements and Tanmatras The Basic Attributes of Tridosha— Pitta Kapha Attributes (Gunas) and Their Effects on Doshas Prakruti: Your Unique Body Type Characteristics of the Vata Individual Characteristics of the Pitta Individual Characteristics of the Kapha Individual Chapter Three - The Doshas and Their Subtypes The Doshas and Their Subtypes Vata and Its Subtypes Prana Vayu Udana Vayu Samana Vayu Apana Vayu Vyana Vayu Pitta and Its Subtypes Pachaka Pitta Ranjaka Pitta Sadhaka Pitta Alochaka Pitta Bhrajaka Pitta Kapha and Its Subtypes Kledaka Kapha Avalambaka Kapha Bodhaka Kapha Tarpaka Kapha Shleshaka Kapha Summary Chapter Four - Agni, The Digestive Fire Agni, the Digestive Fire Agni and the Five Elements The Role of Agni in Digestion Normal Functions of Agni The Doshas and Agni The Four Varieties of Agni The 40 Main Types of Agni The Subtypes of Agni Chapter Five - Dhatus Part I Rasa Rakta and Mamsa Dhatus Introduction Nutrition and Structure of the Dhatus Dhatu Byproducts Disorders of the Dhatus Rasa Dhatu: the Plasma Tissue Byproducts of Rasa Dhatu Disorders of Rasa Dhatu Fever Decreased and Increased Rasa Qhatu Rakta Dhatu: the Blood Tissue Red Blood Cells Byproducts of Rakta Dhatu Disorders of Rakta Dhatu The Health of the Blood Vessels Mamsa Dhatu: the Muscle Tissue Types of Muscles and Their Functions Byproducts of Mamsa Dhatu Disorders of Mamsa Dhatu The Role of Mamsa Dhatu in Emotional Well Being Meditation and Mamsa Dhatu Chapter Six - Dhatus Part II Meda Asthi Majja Shukra and Artava Dhatus Review Meda Dhatu: the Fat Tissue Byproducts of Meda Dhatu Disorders of Meda Dhatu Awareness and Meda Asthi Dhatu: the Bone Tissue Byproducts of Asthi Dhatu Disorders of Asthi Dhatu Majja Dhatu: the Nerve Tissue and Bone Marrow Majja and the Prenatal Development Stage The Functions of Majja Dhatu Byproducts of Majja Dhatu Dreams Disorders of Majja Dhatu Shukra and Artava Dhatus: Male and Female Reproductive Tissues Byproducts of Shukra and Artava Dhatus Shukra Dhatu Artava Dhatu Disorders of Shukra/Artava Dhatus Conclusion Chapter Seven - Srotamsi The Bodily Channels and Systems Introduction Sroto Dushti The Channels to Receive: Food PranaWater The Channels to Nourish and Maintain the Body: The Dhatu Srotamsi Anna Vaha Srotas:The Channel of Food Prana Vaha Srotas:The Respiratory Channel Ambu Vaha Srotas:The Channel for Water The Channels to Nourish and Maintain the Body: The Dhatu Srotamsi Rasa Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Plasma Rakta Vaha Srotas:The Channel for Blood Mamsa Vaha Srotas:The Channel for Muscle Meda Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Fat Asthi Vaha Srotas:The Channel for Bone Majja Vaha Srotas:The Channel for the Nerves and Bone Marrow Shukra/Artava Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Reproductive Tissue Rajah Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Menstruation Stanya Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Lactation Channels of Elimination: Feces Urine Sweat Purisha Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Feces Purisha Vaha Srotas Mutra Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Urine Sveda Vaha Srotas: The Channel for Sweat Mano Vaha Srotas: The Channel of the Mind States of Mind Manifestations of the Mind Chakras, Koshas and the Mind Perception, Awareness and the Mind Individual Mind and Universal Mind Mind in the Lower Three Chakras Heart Chakra: Bridge to Higher Consciousness The Mind and the Higher Three Chakras States of Awareness The Universality of Mind Disorders of Mano Vaha Srotas Witnessing Awareness Conclusion Chapter Eight - Ojas, Tejas, Prana Ojas Disorders of Ojas Causes of Disorders of Ojas Tejas Inferior and Superior Ojas Qualities of Tejas Manifestations of Tejas Tejas and Karma Tejas and Kundalini Prana Soma The Functional Integrity of Prana Tejas and Ojas Awareness Chapter Nine - Digestion and Nutrition Rasa (Taste) How Taste Relates to the Elements Relation of Rasa to Tongue and Organs Pharmacological and Psychological Actions of the Six Tastes Sweet Sour Salty Pungent Bitter Astringent Cravings Virya (Potent Energy) Tongue: Related Tastes 8t Organs Vipaka (Post-Digestive Effect) Prabhava (Unique Specific Action) Actions of Rasa Virya Vipaka and Prabhava Digestion The Stages of Digestion How to Eat a Balanced Diet Nutritional Disorders Food Combining The Three Laws of Nutrition Nutrition Begins at Conception Cellular Metabolism (Pilu Paka) Pilu Paka and Pithara Paka Desire Thoughts Feeling and Emotions Conclusion Chapter Ten - Conclusion The Ayurvedic Definition of Health The Doshas The Interactions of the Doshas Factors That Affect Our Health Choosing a Balanced Lifestyle Relationships Emotions and Meditation Behavioral Medicine Appendix Glossary Index This book brings forth the practices of Ayurveda from the ancient texts and presents them in a systematic organization that is readily accessible to a Western audience. Vasant Lad provides comprehensive information on therapeutic modalities including diet and lifestyle recommendations, palliative and cleansing therapies, subtle healing methods including individual rejuvenation protocols, yoga and pranayama practices, and herbal substances as well as management techniques according to dosha, dhatu, srotamsi, and the subtle essences. Each section clearly explains the principles of the healing techniques, often with the steps outlined for the reader, in addition to the herbal substances and their practical application. It is an essential reference for the Ayurvedic practitioner. One of Dr. Lad's favorite sutras from Charaka says that a true physician knows the body, mind, thoughts, feelings, and consciousness of the patient. Unless you enter the heart of your patient with the light of awareness, knowledge, compassion, and insight, you will not be able to diagnose their problem and treat the person accordingly. Dr. Lad's students from all over the world learn Ayurveda, step by patient step, grounding their knowledge in the principles of a system that pre-dates Western medical concepts by thousands of years. Next, they learn the sophisticated methods of evaluation that Ayurveda provides. Mastering these techniques takes practice and dedication. The previous steps, well practiced, have prepared the student to enter into the next stage, where they can stand beside the client and guide them on their journey of healing. "Vasant Lad presents this ages-old science in a framework that is clearly accessible to the modern student while remaining true to its ancient roots, clarifying the mysteries of Ayurveda from the classical Sanskrit texts. This text builds upon the information in Volume One, imparting the essential elements of clinical assessment. Vasant Lad describes the many categories and stages of disorders and disease from the ancient texts of Ayurveda. He then shows you how to detect and evaluate the conditions of the client. Offering a thorough training in client assessment, the reader will come away with a new level of expertise in service to and knowledge of one s patient. Knowing precisely where the client is in the disease process enables the clinician to determine the most effective level of care necessary for them. Filled with illustrations, tables, charts, clinical forms and practical examples, this book will lead the student through the methods of assessment using the historical applications of Ayurveda as well as more modern terms and techniques."-- Publisher's description In his Ayurvedic Studies Program, Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Physician, teaches Ayurveda as a science of moment-to-moment living. Each lecture that he gives flows from his own heart in a river of healing wisdom that is inspired by and pertinent to the students who are present at the time of the lecture. This textbook is a presentation of Dr. Lad's years of teaching in that classroom setting. It conveys the philosophical and fundamental principles of his first year Ayurvedic Studies Program at the Ayurvedic Institute in a dynamic and inspirational way. This book will give the student a detailed foundation upon which to pursue deeper knowledge, including that of the future volumes in this series. Dr Lad teaches a systematic method for identifying the causes of illness and the stages in which a disease unfolds. This paradigm of cause and effect (etiology and pathogenesis) is the key to understanding how disease can be prevented through awareness of the subtle energetic disturbances that precede structural or functional damage. Sharing from a wealth of clinical experience, Dr Lad presents principles and methods of assessment using a combination of the most helpful Ayurvedic and modern techniques. (source: Nielsen Book Data "Vasant Lad provides comprehensive information on the therapeutic modalities of Ayurveda including diet and lifestyle recommendations, palliative and cleansing therapies, subtle healing methods including individual rejuvenation protocols, yoga and pranayama practices, and herbal substances as well as management techniques according to dosha, dhatu, srotamsi, and the subtle essences."--Publisher description Teaches a systematic method for identifying the causes of illness and the stages in which a disease unfolds. This book presents principles and methods of assessment using a combination of the helpful Ayurvedic and modern techniques.