The document discusses Ayurveda, an ancient Indian holistic health system, emphasizing its principles and methods for achieving wellness. It describes the workings of the mind, the significance of balancing the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha), and outlines the processes of disease accumulation and prevention. Key practices for wellness include meditation, mindful living, specific therapies, and the importance of returning to one's center for optimal health.

1. AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS BY AARON SCHWALLER The Science of Life

2. Disclaimer Aaron has no intention of using this material to diagnose, treat or cure illness. This material is based on an ancient philosophical system of holistic health known as Ayurveda, and is used here to theoretically clarify the origins of disease and inspire the pursuit of wellness within the individual.

3. What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda literally translates as “the science of life” A 5000(+) year old system of holistic health developed in India known as the “mother of all systems of health and medicine” A complete system of holistic health addressing all layers of the mind, body, and soul

4. History of Ayurveda Ayurveda was revealed to rishis (seers) through deep states of meditation

5. 20 Attributes of All Matter Cold/Hot Moist/Dry Heavy/Light Gross/Subtle Dense/Flowing Static/Mobile Dull/Sharp Soft/Hard Smooth/Rough Cloudy/Clear

6. The Five Elements All matter is composed of a mixture of: Ether Air Fire Water Earth

7. Elements in the Human + Essence Elements - Essence (Dosha) Prana Marut (Air & Ether) Vata Tejas Agni (Fire & Water) Pitta Ojas Soma (Water & Earth) Kapha

8. Prakriti Every human is their own expression of these three pairs of the five elements.

9. Ayurveda: The Science of Life As the Universe consistently brings contrasting experience to us, the rhythms of moving away from and back to our center (prakriti) expand our consciousness into higher states of wellness. Disease occurs when we do not return back to our center, but instead identify with our new point of perspective.

10. What is health and wellness? Feeling great in your body, mind, and soul Freedom from dis-ease in respect to these three parts

11. What is the Mind? The channel of Consciousness Consciousness precedes everything here on the physical plane Consciousness is present everywhere; from between the tiniest subatomic particle to the whole of the Universe The center of the mind in the individual is the Heart

12. Understanding the Mind Two basic parts of the human mind: • Vibhu – The Universal Mind (tied to the evolution of the soul) • Anu – The Individual Mind (tied to the current incarnation of body and mind)

13. Vibhu: The Universal Mind All Inclusive – Non-judgmental It has a powerful intention of pure expanding wellness This is a recipe for pure unconditional Love

14. Anu: The Individual Mind Manas (sensory mind) – perception, and thinking Buddhi (intellect) – cognition, retention, memory Ahamkara (ego) – individuality: includes preferences, and habit patterns

15. Deep Consciousness - Chitta Representative of the Causal Body of the individual This is a creative part of the mind which orchestrates the Universe to bring us into alignment with our souls intention for being here.

16. The Science of Living Consciousness Consciousness-> Perception (Recognition)-> Sensation-> Subtle response/reaction (like or dislike)-> Consciousness-> This chain of consciousness occurs moment to moment

17. Movement of Diseased Consciousness Consciousness-> Perception (Recognition)-> Sensation-> Intense reaction (craving or aversion) based upon past conditioning (samskaras)-> Consciousness uses what is needed-> Undigested portion of reaction becomes Mental Ama (toxic substance)

18. The Gunas of the Individual Mind Sattva- clarity, alertness, love, illumination, compassion, attentiveness and cooperation; being in alignment with the universal mind Rajas- self-centeredness, selfishness, and restlessness; agitation of the mind Tamas- dullness, darkness, depression, laziness; sub(un)consciousness of the mind

19. Healthy (Sattvic) Individual Mind A Healthy Mind understands life as a natural process of consciousness expanding and that well being is at its’ root…It is one with the Universal Mind while expressing itself as an individual. Symptoms of a truly healthy mind include: Contentment, acceptance, clear thinking even within intense experiences, creative, overall joyful inner experience, a glowing radiance can be seen around the person, etc. Life seems to unfold in a pleasant way for this person (from their perspective) and they are seldom sick.

20. Disease of the Mind Disease of the mind begins when there is an accumulation of undigested reactions (Samskaras) also known as mental ama (toxic substance). Rajas and/or Tamas is present in excess.

21. Disease Process of the Mind As reactions accumulate they turn into attachment to ones individual consciousness. This consciousness becomes Rajasic or Tamasic. Doshic imbalance begin to appear within the individual’s mind. Subtle negative emotional imbalance occurs.-> As accumulation continues to become a state of aggravation, doshic imbalances (V,P,K) become more noticeable (conscious) within the individual’s mind and the digestive tract. Stronger negative emotion can be present. ->

22. Disease Process of the Mind (Continued) Overflow moves the dosha from the digestive system to the superficial dhatus (lymph and blood)-> Relocation occurs as the imbalance moves from the superficial dhatus into the deeper tissues (muscle, fat, bone, nerve, reproductive tissue)-> Manifestation may occur as it becomes a full blown disease within the deeper tissue-> Diversification may occur as it spreads from the affected tissue to other tissues of the body

23. Summary of Dis-ease All disease begin and accumulate in the mind Disease first shows up on the body within the digestive tract, accumulates there and if it continues to accumulate; moves into the deeper tissues.

24. Seeking Wellness: Disease Prevention Returning to your Center (prakriti); addressing the root cause of dis-ease. Pacifying the imbalance of the body, and mind.

25. Addressing the Root Cause of Dis-ease Tamas-> Rajas (agitating the unconscious darkness so it may be illuminated with consciousness) Rajas-> Sattva (moving from the individual mind to the universal mind) Perfecting Sattva (seeing the wellness behind the suffering; gaining a new perspective, detaching from the idea of working towards a sattvic state of being)

26. Special Therapies Mindful Living Specific Meditation Techniques Practicing the whole system of Yoga Pancha Karma (Ayurvedic Purification Techniques) Manipulation of balanced prana to reintroduce intelligence to the body/mind (Marma Chikitsa) The art of bringing the Universal Mind (Vibhu) and the Individual Mind (Anu) into one mind. (Sattva!)

27. Meditation; Mental Detoxification Consciousness-> Perception-> Sensation-> No Reaction! -> Mental Ama rises to the surface (Tamas->Rajas)-> Consciousness-> Perception-> Sensation-> No Reaction-> Mental Ama is fully digested (Rajas->Sattva)->

28. Manas Prakriti (State of Mental Health) This is a measure of the individual’s journey as it moves through the rhythms of Tamas, Rajas and finally Sattva; the journey of illuminating the Light of the Soul. Ever changing; always in motion.

29. Pacifying the Imbalance Mantra-sound (Ether) Massage-touch (Air) Color (Fire) Taste (Water) Aromatherapy (Earth) Diet/Herbs/Medicine Gems Pancha Karma Pranayama/Yoga Counseling

30. How do I begin seeking wellness? Meditate! Learn to observe the natural breath. Listen for the voice of wisdom guiding you back to your center. Observe your body/mind, learn about yourself. Learn about the interplay of the elements in your life. Read a book about Ayurveda or Yoga! Schedule an Ayurvedic Consultation. Do something that your heart loves! Eat unprocessed whole foods for one week

31. Conclusion Remember we are part of the Universe expanding and unfolding with an intention of wellness behind it all. Be “okay” with where you are. Remember to live mindfully ultimately reaching for subtler and subtler states of wellness, and you will live a healthier life.