The Disease process in Ayurveda
Each of us possesses a basic nature or constitution, Prakriti, in whose state of balance or equilibrium is health. Disease arises from a differentiation or degeneration from that basic state of health, Vikriti.
Ayurveda aims at restoring our basic nature (Prakriti) and allowing us to live in harmony with it. To do this, we must first understand what it is. For that determination of constitution, physical and mental, is necessary, which is the foundation of Ayurveda.
In Ayurveda, therefore, the state of health is natural. We should all be naturally and spontaneously healthy and happy if we merely live in harmony with our own nature. But we are so caught in a conditioned pattern of ego responses that we confuse our desire nature, which really comes to us from the outside as various conditioned or artificial wants, with our original nature. We indulge ourselves and dissipate ourselves, rather than seek to know and understand ourselves.
Even treatments and medicines tend to be outside of our nature and may be a further imposition on it. For this reason Ayurveda tries to harmonize us with our nature as a primary treatment and uses outside modalities only in a supplementary way.
Ayurveda always aims at restoring balance, at the return to Nature as a means of returning to the Spirit. Its approach and methodology is primarily sattvic. It works through love, faith, peace, and non‑violence. Sattvic healing is through nature and the life force, like the use of herbs, diet and yoga.
Principles of Ayurvedic Treatment
Like Attracts Like
Factors of similar nature to health, like rest, good food or meditation will increase health. Those of variant nature like overwork, bad diet or worry, will detract from it. We must promote as many of the positive factors and reduce as many of the negative factors in order to arrive at the optimum. Without having done this we cannot expect our condition to improve. This concept further develops into the idea that conditions are corrected by their opposite:
The Opposite Brings Balance
A condition of excess heat in the body can only be corrected through the application of cold. Hence in Ayurveda we employ opposite qualities to balance conditions. First we ascertain the qualities that are in excess, like cold, dryness and disturbance in a Vata (air) disorder. Then we apply substances or actions that are opposite, like the use of a gentle warm oil massage in this case, to correct it.
This same principle holds true on a psychological level also. Hatred never comes to an end through hatred but only through love, its opposite. Hence in examining mental disturbances we must also seek balance, not try to find justification for any imbalanced state.
Recognition of Like Cures Like
This is used in Homeopathy, and like it, Ayurveda employs it only on a subtle level. For example, a small amount of a toxin (like immunization or homeopathic treatment) can be used to stimulate the body to cleanse itself of a larger amount of the same toxin. This principle does not work on the level of foods or herbs or any substance that is taken in quantity, however.
The principle of causation in Ayurveda
Ayurveda through the Samkhya system is firmly based upon the principle of causation. As is the cause, so will be the effect. This doctrine, that from a real cause can only occur a real effect of like nature.
The Law of Karma
This doctrine of cause and effect is the basis of the law of Karma, the basic law of action in the universe. Whatever we do must produce an effect of like nature. This principle of causation is important in Ayurveda. Whatever is our condition there is a reason for it. A disease cannot arise without a cause of like nature. If one has a Kapha (phlegm) disease like the common cold, a Kapha cause must exist in such things as exposure to cold or damp, eating of damp or mucus forming foods, excessive sleeping and other Kapha-increasing actions. Everything has a reason and if we discover that reason we can correct the chain of circumstances that brings us pain or disease. It means that we possess the power to correct it by remedial measures of opposite nature. As we have made all that we are, we can also unmake it. It gives freedom through which we can arrive at self‑mastery.
Ayurveda is not a passive form of treatment. It does not give the patient a treatment or remedy and send them away. It insists that the patient themselves must take an active part in the treatment, for it is only the individual that can change their own chain of cause and effect.
Taking Control of Your Life
We must first take responsibility for who we are and learn to act in a way that ensures we achieve what we are really striving for.
Karma as Cause and Effect
The law of Karma indicates that there is an inviolable relationship of cause and effect in regard to all actions in the universe. As is the cause, so is the effect: as you sow, so shall you reap. This seems very simple at first, yet that is only the beginning of how karma works.
The ultimate result of the law of karma is that our present actions in our current life reflect actions done in past lives that we do not remember. This causes us to come into certain experiences in life that we feel are not the result of anything that we ourselves have actually done or are responsible for. For this reason, karma and its effects can be hard to discern. The chain of karma connects us not only to our own past lives but also to the karmas of all living beings.
Karma is not a matter of reward and punishment for good or bad deeds. It is simply a movement in natural forces. If you put your hand into a fire, you will get burned. It is not a matter of morality.
Karma, Destiny & Free-will
The law of karma means that we are free to create our own destiny in life. Karma means action and refers to the results of our previous deeds. It does not mean destiny or indicate that our lives are predetermined.
Karma and Time:
We create our destiny in the field of time, which means that who we are today is a result of what we did yesterday, extending into previous lives that we have forgotten. The shadow of past life karmas hangs over us and must be understood before it can be removed.
Karma and Dharma.
We create our destiny in the field of universal law. For example, we are free to put our hand into a fire or not, but we are not free to put our hand into a fire and not get burned. This means that if we violate universal laws that we will suffer. Unfortunately, the results of certain actions manifest only after time and so our immediate reaction may be incorrect. When we come down with an illness, for example, it may be the result of wrong actions over a long period of time, like taking too many sweets leading to diabetes.
Collective nature of Karma.
We are co-creators of karma. We as individuals live in a certain era and cultural field that affects our actions. For example, someone with certain career potential in our society today may have a different career than if they were born a thousand years ago. Similarly, we can be affected by collective karmas extending to major social changes, innovations, or conflicts.
Assuming Karmic Responsibility in Life
Only when we assume responsibility for ourselves in life can we effectively change who we are and alter how we live in a harmonious manner. This requires recognizing that we are responsible for who we are and what our karma is. in blaming others, we give away our own power and deprive ourselves of the motivation necessary to improve our lives. We are not victims and cannot blame others for our condition in life, even though the actions of other people do affect us. The attitude of being a victim weakens us, inhibits positive change, and gets us caught in the past.
Once we accept our karmic responsibility in life, we are able to forgive others and let go of the past. We can make positive changes in the present moment. We recognize that we are responsible for the world in which we live. Accepting our responsibility for our karma allows us to take control of our lives and make meaningful and lasting changes. It provides great relief and opens up a new horizon of transformation. When it occurs we can more easily observe and understand our karma and not simply get caught in its reactions.
We can ask ourselves key questions relating to our karmic responsibility:
Who am I blaming for my condition and state of well-being in life?
How can I achieve greater responsibility for myself in life, materially, emotionally, and spiritually?
How can I best help others?
A pledge of Karmic Responsibility:
I hereby (recite name) do formally accept karmic responsibility for my life: for who I am and where I am going, at both outer and inner levels of body, mind and consciousness, in the external world and in my own inner being.
I recognise that what I become in life is primarily the product of my own values, attitudes, and actions and that I cannot blame anyone else for my condition or development. The external world can influence me, but the ultimate power of decision and taking on of consequences for what I do belongs primarily to myself. I will not let the world overcome me.
This karmic responsibility is not simply to me as a human ego but to my reincarnating soul and carries the effects of my actions as a soul from past to future lives. I accept that result.
I will strive to uphold my soul’s purpose to grow in consciousness and aid in the unfoldment of consciousness for the world as a whole.
I respect my duties to others but I will not make them responsible for what I do or what I experience.
I accept the consequences of my actions and will strive to make my contributions positive and helpful for all.
May I uphold my role in the cosmic order of Consciousness!
Hari OM Tat Sat!