Description
The Ayurvedic Method of Transformation
by Atreya Smith
Author's note: This is one chapter from my book, "The Psychology of Transformation in Yoga", that explains the use of the Samkhya system in daily life to change our psychology and its relation to the Indian sciences. It is not meant to be an exclusive discussion on the formation of disease, but rather to disease as we manifest it through the mind and senses, i.e. the Samkhya vision of thought manifestation. Ayurveda also uses other systems of Vedic thought besides Samkhya. Additionally there are other factors that cause disease.
Ayurveda, like Vedic Astrology and Yoga, is firmly based on the Samkhya system. Without a good understanding of Samkhya the Ayurvedic doctor or practioner becomes mechanical in his or her approach to healing. As modern medicine is already addressing healing in this manner there is little need for natural systems like Ayurveda unless they are practiced in a non-mechanical holistic form.
