The Ayurvedic Concept of Health

Ayurveda defines health as being complete well-being, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.Thus health is defined positively and holistically rather than negatively and restrictively as the absence of a particular disease or illness. Charaka, sometimes referred to as the 'father' of Ayurveda defined health as the balance of doshas, dhatus, agni and malas (qualities, tissues, digestive power and wastes respectively)''with that blissful and lucid state of body, mind and soul''

Physical health is determined by constitution, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, food, air, water, sleep and exercise, all of which affect the body, for good or ill. Physical health can be improved by putting good habits into place, rather than focussing on giving up negative habits. Moderation is also the key. For example a very restrictive diet is not healthy, nor is too much exercise.

Mental health is also determined by what we allow into our minds and what we exclude, just as physical health is determined by what we allow into our bodies and what we exclude. It is important to avoid or counter negative thoughts and assumptions which create anxiety, fear or anger in the mind. Ayurveda says that 'anger is the root of sin' and that a peaceful or empty mind is best True mental health would be the ability to perceive the truth, that is the reality of life, rather than our images of it. We should be realistic and objective about our abilities and this ability comes from a calm mind.

Social health is determined by our society and our place in it as well as the people in our lives and our relationships with them, ie everything that surrounds us. While 'sattva' ('mental stamina') is important, 'sanskara' (the ethics and norms of the family and society) are also crucial to our social health or ill-health. For example, in countries where war and/or poverty and oppression are present, the social health of the individual is harmed. On an individual level, self-harming behaviours, such as addictions and eating disorders may be the result of unhappy parent-child or husband-wife relationships. In turn these problems impact the relationships further, sometimes causing complete rupture and further difficulties. Feelings of uselessness and lack of purpose affect the whole society and the next generation.

Spiritual health could be defined as the capacity to see the truth all the time, not intermittently. This includes the willingness to take responsibility for our actions and their consequences, including our thoughts, speech, learning and physical actions. This entails building our characters (our souls) moment by moment, habit by habit, through studying ourselves and committing ourselves to the truth. What we practice and focus on becomes our character. Krishna, for example, focussed on right actions for their own sake. Buddha practiced non-attachment so thoroughly that he lost his fear of death, not only in the abstract but even when his life was actually in danger. Focussing on what life has given us and continues to give us every day, rather than on what we lack, fills us with gratitude. Practising gratitude until it becomes a habit and part of our character will make it easier for us to find the silver lining in even difficult times.

Ayurveda sees all these factors as intrinsic to optimum health, each playing its part in our overall well-being and happiness.