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Ayurveda
EVALUATING FROM THE GRID OF HISTORY Ayurveda means 'life knowledge. Its origins can be trace to the 'Vedas' (Books of knowledge) that were written in India over a period of ten centuries (1500-500 BC) when Vedisim was a living force in India. These texts present not only the world's first health care system but also cosmic, moral and juridical law, while it also dabbled in the magical and speculative field of metaphysics. The occult was so closely linked to natural law in these texts that it hard to differentiate between the two - the spiritual and natural.. Presently popularity in the treatments offered in Ayurveda are gaining recognition largely due to Deepak Chopra MD who is actively promoting its effectiveness in treating disease. His goal is to have Ayurveda recognised in the mainstream medical faculties in the West.
EVALUATING THROUGH THE GRID OF FAITH Ayurveda is rooted in Hinduism the religion of India which has millions of gods. It is a pantheistic philosophy which adheres to the belief that all is god and god resides in everything. It has no stable principle of evil. In the Creation account - (Encyclopaedia Britannica Volume 22, page 929): "A cosmic giant initiates a primordial sacrifice in which he himself is the willing victim, and from whose limbs are born the structural 'elements' (emphasis ours) of the universe." These 'elements' which include even the tiniest particles of the universe - electrons and protons - are all encompassed in a gigantic energy field - prana, also called 'Pure Intelligence'. These elements vibrate at a uniform frequency in a wave like motion and each human being is said to have a deposit of this wave form within them originating from this energy field. Sickness is a result of being disconnected from this energy field. Restoration of health is gained by reconnecting back to this energy field - Pure Intelligence or Cosmic Consciousness or Prana..
EVALUATING THROUGH THE GRID OF WHOLISM - (Spirit, soul and body) Ayurveda appears as having a wholistic approach in the treatment of disease but in reality it is a far cry from what God in the Bible prescribes as 'wholistic'. In Ayurveda, Prana energy gives rise to the basic five elements: fire, water, ether, air and earth. In the human body these elements are further reordered into three elements called 'doshas'. Vatta: (Air and ether) - Associated to impulse - to mobilises the function of the nervous system. Pitta: (Fire and water) - Associated with 'energy' - using bile to direct digestion and metabolism. Kapha: (Earth and water) - Associated with mucous - body fluids to lubricate and carry nutrients. When these doshas are not in harmony or out of balance, illness is the result. Toxins build up in the body when under stress, mental or emotional problems. Treatments: Purification - through purgatives, vomiting, enemas, smoke inhalation, blood-letting. Remedies: Herbal preparations. (Plants traditionally worshipped as deities and invoked by incantation). Diet : Recommended - Vegetarian Yoga designed to transcend mind and body to unite with Pure Intelligence to regain health and vitality.
EVALUATING THROUGH THE GRID OF SCIENCE: Most of the herbal preparations used in the treatments are not scientifically tested for their content. Yoga on the other hand is medically proving to be effective. Apparently when both the chanting of mantras and breathing are brought down to six counts a minute, blood pressure is lowered, chronic pain and stress too is reduced.
EVALUATING ON THE GRID OF SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT The meditation and yoga techniques practiced in Ayurveda, are strictly forbidden in the Bible as they present an open door for deception by evil spirits masquerading as God. In the initial stages the relief is genuine. However as time goes by frustrations, anxiety and depression set in greater intensity coupled with anti-social behaviour - the reason being the obsessive quest for complete detachment to gain access and unity with 'Pure Intelligence' as demanded in the Bhagavad Gita (15:5, 11-21) "... when they have slashed their attachments these clear seeing ones enter the light of the supreme goal... When you sever these attachments an attitude of sacred dispassion comes, which is a prerequisite for spiritual vision" As believers in Christ, Christ has committed to us the 'Ministry of Reconciliation' between God and man to bring healing to our Spirit, Soul and Body ( 2 Corinthians 5:11-21) The following facts should not escape our attention: Western Medicine (allopathy) has its roots in Greek Medicine. Greek medicine has its roots in Ayurveda. Greek philosophers and physicians travelled to India to learn the wisdom of the Brahmins who were the 'keepers' of the Vedic texts. Plato in his dialogue entitled "Phaedo" described 'silent meditation' as withdrawal of the senses from the objects, and stilling the processes of the mind." Certain texts like the Aranyakas were to be studied in the forests due to their magical and sacred formulas that invaded the realm of the occult.. It is only when Western Medicine (allopathy) broke away from its roots in Greek and Ayurvedic practices to align itself to the natural laws of God that the spread and treatments of disease became largely effective.
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