That indestructible part of ourselves which is neither the body nor our mind nor the fluctuating emotions or the faculty given to affectations and afflictions, that which is eternal and unique to each individual, yet deeply connected with the Universe, that is the spirit. The ancient Vedic discipline of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda corresponds to the workings of the mind and body through the prism of spirituality, laying out a blueprint for developing relationships that are intuitive, heartful, and deeply spiritual.

In a shift away from the shallow materialism, vengeful competitiveness, and tricky morality of the modern times, the lifestyle of yoga and Ayurveda is coming back in favour for a more sustainable and a more spiritually fulfilling life.

What is spiritual consciousness?

Spiritual Consciousness is the recognition and acceptance of a supreme force which resides beyond our individual intelligence and with whom we share an elemental relationship. Broaching this subject of vast self-realization is a discussion that must be kept separate from that on religions.

While there exists a number of organized religious doctrines and belief systems to explain away the Supreme One, Spirituality is by and large and overwhelming experience of oneness. It doesn’t matter whether you have subscribed to the religious framework of the Allah, Tao, or the Brahman. When you can connect with all of earth-life in a transpersonal way, situate yourself in the grand scheme of things meaningfully, and use your innate awareness of the spirit to align your body, mind, and emotions in order, you have found your spiritual destination.

How does Ayurveda corroborate the ideals of a spiritual life?

Every aspect found in the Ayurveda courses India encourages direct knowing of the self as the spirit or soul. The practitioner or student is guided in the understanding of the doshas: the biological energies found in one’s body-mind, which are, in turn, derivatives of the five elements of the Universe. The dosha properties determine one’s nature and the regulating factors of one’s formation of the character.

Ayurveda rests on the concept of the Atman or the soul which is not distinct from the eternal Brahman or The One spirit of the Universe. The body, the mind, the emotional faculties, and intelligence are the outer layers of the atman and the key to holistic wellbeing is therefore not a disease symptom removal but the healing of the soul.

Some fundamentals of Ayurvedic life

1. Listen to your body

Corresponding with the elemental Vedic spirituality of Hinduism, Ayurveda stresses upon the body’s innate capacity to heal and restore balance. The body is extremely perceptive and equipped with its own self-healing mechanism.

You can head to the body when the balance is being outdone through your lifestyle, food habits, chemical medication, overwork, anxiety, or a lack of contact with nature. Be mindful of your surroundings and turn your attention inwards to the body’s reaction to a different environment.

2. Wake up in the brahmamuhurta

A fundamental rule of harmonizing the body and mind spiritually is to wake up one and a half hours before dawn. This hour is denoted as the perfect time for observing spiritual practices like prayers and meditation. Dinacharya, the ideal daily routine follows from this hour onwards, in alignment with nature’s cycle and thus establishing the spiritual relationship of oneness between the practising individual and the natural Universe.

3. Follow herbal remedies 

You will be introduced to about 5000 recognized herbs on taking any of the Ayurveda courses India, having versatile effects on the wellness of the body and mind. The adoption of herbal remedies in Ayurveda over the precedence of chemical drugs again establishes a continuity between nature and mind-body wellness. Also, ingredients of nature have very marginal side effects in comparison to invasive medicine and chemical drugs.

4. Be a mindful eater

Ayurveda promotes mindful eating as part of the consciousness process to remain holistically healthy. Plan out your everyday diet according to balance in food values and harmony with your Prakriti. Grow and collect your own herbs and spices and cook. Eat only when you are hungry and in balanced proportions throughout the day. Ayurveda courses in India incorporate training on all these factors to transform you from a passive eater into a conscious one and thus impacting your wellness positively.

5. Undergo detox from time to time

Take Ayurvedic panchakarma detox from time to time to rebalance the corruptions happening within the body and restore lasting health and long life.

6. Do yoga

The sister science of yoga to the Ayurvedic discipline is complimentary. It is at once a viable mind-body exercise process and a spiritual discipline of making a journey into the knowledge of the Self.

Thus, Ayurveda does not only optimize the functioning of the body-mind but also takes the practitioner deeper into the journey of knowing the Self, thereby strengthening their spiritual relationships.

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Author: Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh has been a practitioner of yoga and Ayurveda for the last 12 years. He is managing director of Rishikul Ayurshala, an authentic Ayurveda training institute. The Institue offers Ayurveda courses in Kerala India and Ayurveda cooking classes in Kerala, India. The institute’s goal is to provide the simplest healing solutions and treatments for multifarious health problems. Apart from the institute management, Manmohan Singh loves to spend time writing, doing photography and travelling.

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