Ayurveda is the oldest surviving complete medical system in the world. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots - ‘ayus' (life) and ‘ved' (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, its origins go back nearly 5000 years. To when it was expounded and practiced by the same spiritual rishis, who laid the foundations of the Vedic civilisation in India, by organising the fundamentals of life into proper systems.

The main source of knowledge in this field therefore remain the Vedas, the divine books of knowledge they propounded, and more specifically the fourth of the series, namely Atharvaveda that dates back to around 1000 BC. Of the few other treatises on Ayurveda that have survived from around the same time, the most famous are Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita which concentrate on internal medicine and surgery respectively. The Astanga Hridayam is a more concise compilation of earlier texts that was created about a thousand years ago. These between them forming a greater part of the knowledge base on Ayurveda as it is practiced today.

The art of Ayurveda had spread around in the 6th century BC to Tibet, China, Mongolia, Korea and Sri Lanka, carried over by the Buddhist monks travelling to those lands. Although not much of it survives in original form, its effects can be seen in the various new age concepts that have originated from there.

No philosophy has had greater influence on Ayurveda than Sankhaya’s philosophy of creation and manifestation. Which professes that behind all creation there is a state of pure existence or awareness, which is beyond time and space, has no beginning or end, and no qualities. Within pure existence, there arises a desire to experience itself, which results in disequilibrium and causes the manifestation of the primordial physical energy. And the two unite to make the "dance of creation" come alive.

Imponderable, indescribable and extremely subtle, this primordial energy – which and all that flows from it existing only in pure existence – is the creative force of all action, a source of form that has qualities. Matter and energy are so closely related that when energy takes form, we tend to think of it in terms of matter only. And much modified, it ultimately leads to the manifestation of our familiar mental and physical worlds.

It also gives rise to cosmic consciousness, which is the universal order that prevades all life. Individual intelligence, as distinct from the everyday intellectual mind, is derived from and is part of this consciousness. It is the inner wisdom, the part of individuality that remains unswayed by the demands of daily life, or by Ahamkara, the sense of `I-ness’.

A Sanskrit word with no exact translation, Ahamkara, is a concept not quite understood by everyone as it is often misleadingly equated to `ego’. Embracing much more than just that, it is in essence that part of ‘me’ which knows which parts of the universal creation are ‘me’. Since ‘I’ am not separate from the universal consciousness, but ‘I’ has an identity that differentiates and defines the boundaries of `me’. All creations therefore have Ahamkara, not just human beings.

There arises from Ahamkara a two-fold creation. The first is Satwa, the subjective world, which is able to perceive and manipulate matter. It comprises the subtle body (the mind), the capacity of the five sense organs to hear, feel, see, taste and smell, and for the five organs of action to speak, grasp, move, procreate and excrete. The mind and the subtle organs providing the bridge between the body, the Ahamkara and the inner wisdom, which three together is considered the essential nature of humans.

The second is Tamas, the objective world of the five elements of sound, touch, vision, taste and smell – the five subtle elements that give rise to the dense elements of ether or space, air, fire, water and the earth – from which all matter of the physical world is derived. And it is Rajas, the force or the energy of movement, which brings together parts of these two worlds.

It is worth noting that even at the stage of the dense elements the philosophy of creation –which according to Sankaya is now and in the present, without any past and any future – is still dealing with aspects of existence beyond our simple physical realms. The point of contention being that we are the first and foremost spirit experiencing existence. To use Ayurveda in daily life, one has neither to accept nor even understand this philosophy. But it does provide a deeper insight into how Ayurveda works towards betterment of your health.

Ayurveda therefore is not simply a health care system but a form of lifestyle adopted to maintain perfect balance and harmony within the human existence, from the most abstract transcendental values to the most concrete physiological expressions. Based on the premise that life represents an intelligent co-ordination of the Atma (Soul), Mana (Mind), Indriya (Senses) and Sharira (Body). That revolves around the five dense elements that go into the making of the constitution of each individual, called Prakriti. Which in turn is determined by the vital balance of the three physical energies - Vata, Pitta, Kapha and the three mental energies - Satwa, Rajas,

Ayurveda thus offers a unique blend of science and philosophy that balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components necessary for holistic health.

(See also: Ayurveda , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

dowsing (divining, questing, water witching): means of gaining insight into the diagnosis and treatment of physical and emotional health problems (see radiesthesia.).

Dowsing encompasses forms of remote diagnosis: one involving a recent photograph of the subject, another a stand-in (proxy) for the subject. Elementary dowsing tools include the forked branch (divining rod) and the pendulum. Dowsing's principle is that human thoughts transcend human bodies, species, and spacetime as usually conceived.

(See also: Dowsing , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

There are four principal kinds of dharma, as follows. They are known collectively as - chaturdharma: "four religious laws."

1. rita: "Universal law." The inherent order of the cosmos. The laws of being and nature that contain and govern all forms, functions and processes, from galaxy clusters to the power of mental thought and perception.
2. varna dharma: (Sanskrit) "Law of one's kind." Social duty. Varna can mean "race, tribe, appearance, character, color, social standing, etc." Varna dharma defines the individual's obligations and responsibilities within the nation, society, community, class, occupational subgroup and family. An important part of this dharma is religious and moral law. See: jati, varna dharma.
3. ashrama dharma: "Duties of life's stages." Human or developmental dharma. The natural process of maturing from childhood to old age through fulfillment of the duties of each of the four stages of life- brahmachari (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (elder advisor) and sannyasa (religious solitaire)- in pursuit of the four human goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation). See: ashrama dharma.
4. svadharma: "Personal path, pattern or obligation." One's perfect individual pattern through life, according to one's own particular physical, mental and emotional nature. Svadharma is determined by the sum of past karmas and the cumulative effect of the other three dharmas. It is the individualized application of dharma, dependent on personal karma, reflected on one's race, community, physical characteristics, health, intelligence, skills and aptitudes, desires and tendencies, religion, sampradaya, family and guru.

(See also: Chaturdharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

FASTING: Those who fast for health cite many benefits of fasting: rest for internal organs; improved digestion and circulation; greater mental and spiritual clarity and energy; elimination of drug cravings; improved sleep; weight loss. Adherents say that fasting can relieve symptoms of emotional depression and anxiety and foster a feeling of well-being.

Advocates of fasting during illness believe that this restraint aids healing; eating, they believe, taps energy for digestion that could be better used for recovery. In addition, some claim that fasting may release a hormone that stimulates the body's immune system in its fight against disease.

(See also: Fasting , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ENERGY FIELD WORK: Practitioners look for weaknesses in the energy field in and around the clients body and seek to restore its proper circulation and balance.

Energy channeled through the practitioner is directed to strengthen the bodyÕs natural defenses and help the clientÕs physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual state.

(See also: Energy field work , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

SHEN THERAPY

SHEN is the acronym for Specific Human Energy Nexus and was developed by American scientist Richard Pavek. A scientifically researched form of energy healing, SHEN aims to release emotions trapped in the body, leading to freedom from pain and tension.

SHEN teaches that most emotions are held in the torso, at four main sites: the heart, the solar plexus, the kath (below the navel), and the root (the perineum). The practitioner places hands in paired positions on the fully-clothed client who’s lying on the table.

The practitioner ascertains the locations of somatically held emotions and determines an appropriate physio-emotional release plan. A naturally occurring energy flows from the practitioner’s hands through the emotional centers of the client’s body in a precise way to discharge debilitating emotions.

(See also: SHEN THERAPY , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

bioenergetics

1. (Bioenergetic Analysis, bioenergetic method): Offshoot of Reichian Therapy developed by psychiatrist Alexander Lowen (b. 1910), author of Language of the Body (1958). Its theory posits bioenergy (life energy), and its principle is that all bodily cells record emotional or energetic reactions.

Practionars hold that such cellular memories are adaptable to healing and consciousness-raising, and that patients can release them by crying, screaming, and kicking. Practitioners may be called bioenergeticists.

2. Science practiced by former boxing instructor Yefim Shubentsov, called The Russian and The Mad Russian. It is a treatment for phobias, addiction, bulimia, overeating, pain, migraines, and hearing deficiency. According to its theory, such problems are remediable through effects on the patient's force fields.

(See also: Bioenergetics , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Astral Body

The soul. That part of the individual which dwells on the astral plane. The densest part of the individual to survive death. That vehicle through which one astral travels. The emotional body.

(See also: Astral Body , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

MEDICINE, HOLISTIC/WHOLISTIC: Wholistic medicine is a broadly descriptive term for a healing philosophy that views a patient as a whole person, not as just a disease or a collection of symptoms. In the course of treatment, wholistic medical practitioners may address emotional and spiritual dimensions as well as the nutritional, environmental and lifestyle factors that may contribute to an illness. Many wholistic practitioners combine conventional forms of treatment with natural or alternative treatments.

(See also: Medicine, holistic/wholistic , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

AROMATHERAPY

Uses essential oils extracted from nature’s herbs and flowers. The aroma is inhaled, or applied to the skin, and each of the oils (or combination thereof) addresses a specific disorder. It appears that the body is able to utilize the healing properties of the oils through the olfactory system of the body, and so initiate the healing process. Aromatherapy practitioners would also have an understanding of the psychological and emotional factors of illness.

(See also: AROMATHERAPY , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE: Ayurvedic medicine stresses a holistic approach to health.

It defines disease as the result of climatic extremes, bacterial attack, nutritional deviance, and stress, as well as other forms of emotional imbalance. Optimal health is achieved by cultivating mental and physical habits that are conductive to physical and spiritual well-being, and treatment often includes hatha yoga, diet, and the development of positive attitude.

(See also: Ayurvedic medicine , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: Bach flower remedies are a set of 38 different herbal remedies (plus one combination remedy) made from the specially prepared, "potentized" essence of the petals and heads of flowers.

Each essence is made from a particular type of flower and preserved in unflavored brandy to prevent spoilage. Bach flower remedies are non-toxic, non-addictive, and utilize the mood-altering properties of the plants to harmonize and balance emotional sensitivities. The remedies act as catalysts to alleviate the underlying causes of stress.

(See also: Bach flower remedies , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Holistic

Dealing with the patient as a whole human being-physical, mental, emotional, spiritual- as distinct from conventional medicine's view that physical ailments are separate and unrelated to non-physical aspects such as emotional state and belief system.

(See also: Holistic , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

A Christian theological definition of Guilt according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

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Guilt

See also: Guilt , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

Dance and movement therapies:

therapeutic technique which uses expressive movement as a tool for personal expression, psychological and/or emotional healing.

(See also: Dance Therapy , Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

A dictionary of Parapsychology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic.

dharma: (Sanskrit) "Righteousness." From dhri, "to sustain; carry, hold."

Hence dharma is "that which contains or upholds the cosmos." Dharma, religion, is a complex and all-inclusive term with many meanings, including: divine law, law of being, way of righteousness, religion, ethics, duty, responsibility, virtue, justice, goodness and truth. Essentially, dharma is the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature or destiny. Relating to the soul, it is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path.

(See also: Dharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

alternative

Unconventional approach, treatment, remedy, medicine, or practice designed to promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, happiness and well-being

(See also: Alternative , Body Mind and Soul)

3-day energy fast: Subject of The 3-Day Energy Fast: Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind, and Claim Your Spirit (1997), by Pamela Serure. the 3-day energy fast is an integrated body, mind and spirit program to effect life detox. It includes exercises that are oriented in part to cleaning out physical, emotional, and spiritual toxins and to balancing the body and spirit.

(See also: 3-day energy fast , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Animal Kingdom

The third natural kingdom of evolution. In the animal kingdom the monads have principally physical and emotional consciousness.

Between incarnations they are enclosed in common envelopes of mental matter, so-called group-souls. The higher up the scale of evolution an animal is, the fewer are the monads that go to its group.

(See also: Animal Kingdom , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Akashic Records

Edgar Cayce's concept which states that somewhere there is a universal hall of data about past lives, magic, healing, and spirituality. It does not exist on the physical plane but rather on a more psychic level.

Some believe it can be accessed on the astral plane, others feel it can only be accessed through a visualization journey in the mind.

The akashic records can be reached with emotional clairvoyance. They do not contain the past of the planet, but what people in all times have believed about this past. The real akasha, the akasha of the planetary hierarchy, is on a higher level

(See also: Akashic Records , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)