ayurveda and mysticism

[Guest guest]

i noticed that a poll was already created on the subject of mysticism

and ayurveda, but i think we might need to explore this issue further

 

if we look just at ayurveda, and for the time being separate out more

overtly spiritual practices such as yoga and jyotish, what evidence

is there to suggest that ayurveda is mystical in its outlook?

 

for one thing, we should define what we mean by mysticism, and

according to the miriam webster dictionary, mysticism is defined as:

 

" 1: the experience of mystical union or direct communion with

ultimate reality reported by mystics

2: the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or

ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (as

intuition or insight)

3 a: vague speculation : a belief without sound basis b: a theory

postulating the possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of

ineffable knowledge or power "

 

the first definition needn't concern us, since ayurveda isn't aimed

per se at any kind of spiritual insight, although it is often allied

with this endeavour

 

the second definition, that knowledge can be obtained through

subjective experience, is very much a component of ayurveda

 

it is seen in the ashtavidya pariksha, in nadi parkisha and other

techniques that rely upon " anumana " , or inference, giving insight

into something that cannot be directly observed; one could also say

that intuition plays a very important role in medicine, not just

ayurveda, and to that extent, perhaps all medicine has a mystical

basis - there are also several other examples where subjective

knowledge comes into play, such as in the diagnosis and treatment of

spiritual diseases such as the bhutas and grahas, which is a

certainly an anga (limb) of ayurveda as defined by the acharyas

 

the last definition, that mysticism is a belief without a sound basis

is perhaps where dr. muzumdar is coming from, in rejecting the idea

that ayurveda is mystical - for him, and other practitioners that

strive hard to learn and practice the methodology of ayurveda,

calling ayurveda mystical is an affront to the hard work, dedication

and technical skill they have acquired

 

the real problem however lies with the term " mysticism " , and is we

probe a little deeper, the notion that subjective knowledge is

somehow invalid, and thus the separation of mysticism and logic, or

subjectivism from objectivism

 

for those with an interest in philosophy, i present a short exegesis

on this problem in the following email

any and all comments are welcome

 

Caldecott, Dip. Cl.H, RH(AHG)

Ayurvedic practitioner, Medical Herbalist

web: http//:www.toddcaldecott.com