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Fashion | Music | Spirituality | Textiles
SpiritualityDiscover India's Spiritual HeritageMuch of India’s individuality comes from the interconnectedness of its many disciplines. From the arts, music, and dance to the cuisine, medicinal practices, and religion, each are viewed as a part of the whole that is one’s life; parts to be put in perfect balance with one another, always striving for the attainment of perfection and enlightenment. Among these spiritual disciplines, the philosophy of Hinduism, the physical and mental practices of yoga, and the balancing of a healthy lifestyle through Ayurvedic methods hold significant fascination for westerners. HinduismThe main religion of India, Hinduism, is as mysterious and complex as the many different cultures, languages, and beliefs shaping the Indian subcontinent. India has over the centuries holistically blended their religions, arts, and every day life. Hinduism is comprised of four main denominations: Saivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smartism. While each hold divergent beliefs in many areas, they share common roots with concepts such as: karma, dharma, reincarnation, one divinity, many deities, the disciplines of yoga, and usage of the Veda as a common scriptural basis. The Veda is a group of beautifully lyrical verses composed as invocations and prayers originating over thousands of years. For more information on Hinduism: www.himalayanacademy.com
Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion by Stephen P. Huyler;
Yale University Press, 1999
YogaAn integral part of Hindu philosophy and practice, yoga, meaning union, is based on the belief that the body and mind are connected—one cannot attain enlightenment without the other and both must be properly trained to develop this harmony and balance. A yogi’s life and training involve much more than practice of the exercises, or asanas, and breathing techniques westerners associate with yoga. The path they follow to enlightenment is called Ashtanga Yoga, meaning “eight limbs.” The eight branches, learned and practiced simultaneously, are:
By embracing these many facets of life, striving for humble, sincere, perfection in each, yogis follow the path to enlightenment. For more information on yoga, we suggest the following:
Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika by B. K. S. Iyengar; Schocken Books, 1995
www.sedona-web.com/yoga/patanjali.htm
AyurvedaAyurveda is the oldest practiced system of medical treatment in the world. Its recorded origins go back thousands of years. It is a holistic system of medicine aiming to provide individually styled guidance regarding food and lifestyle. Ayurveda’s philosophy encompasses not only healing the infirm, but guiding each person to an optimum healthy balance and lifestyle based on their individual characteristics. The Ayurvedic practioner is guided by observation, inquiry, examination, and the knowledge gained from the ancient texts. Based on personal differences, the recommendations for each person to recreate balance in the body are often quite different. Ayurvedic tradition believes there are strong energy forces influencing all nature including humans. Creating a balance between those forces, using traditional herbal medicines, dietary adjustments, and influencing the connection between mind and body are all part of the healing process. According to Charaka, an ancient Ayurvedic practioner, "Ayurveda is the knowledge that indicates the appropriate and inappropriate, happy or sorrowful conditions of living, what is auspicious or inauspicious for longevity, as well as the measure of science itself." Restoring the BalanceThe basic belief of Ayurveda holds that the entire universe, as well as the body is made up of five basic elements. These elements are Prithvi (Earth), Ap (Water), Thejus (Fire), Vayu (Air), and Akasha (Ether, Space). There are three life forces in the body called doshas, each with a different combination or tendency. The emphasis of the Ayurvedic method of healing is on restoring balance between the doshas, and therefore health, to the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedic practitioners spend a great deal of time with their patients, interviewing them for history and lifestyle choices, making note of temperament and other clues to the imbalance. Once the source has been determined, a course of treatment is recommended based on the doshas involved and the individual’s other physical, mental, and lifestyle traits. It is a very holistic approach to healing, used by millions of people for several thousand years. For more information, start with these Web sites and books:
The Handbook of Ayurveda: India's Medical Wisdom
Explained by Shantha Godagama; Journey Editions, 1998
www.rajahkajah.com/ayur3.html
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