From: avi@dragon.imagen.com
Newsgroups: alt.meditation.transcendental
Subject: re: Ayurveda
Date: 23 Jul 92 22:37:01 GMT
Reply-To: avi@dragon.imagen.com
Organization: imagen

===============
>Howard Dyckoff writes:
>I have spent some time in India studying Ayurveda and have a few
>books on the subject.  Its not related to TM at all.  rather, the 
>TM organizations are using it for its merits for their community and
>as a means of attracting people to their movement. 
>
>According to tradition, Ayurveda is sacred knowledge and as such
>there should be no charge for its teaching.... only commitment
>to its arts.  Whjile Yoga a meditation were orignally part of 
>Ayurveda, they are traditional separated, with the emphsis falling
>on diagnosis and herbal therapies.

I haven't been to India myself, but have studied Ayurveda locally (the
theoratical side, although far from being complete, and I do not claim
to be a Dr. or an expert - just an eager student). 

I spent some time comparing the "traditional" Ayurvdea and Maharishi 
Ayurvdea, and met and talked with some "famous" Ayurvedic healers that
work here in the U.S. (as well as read their books) - both the 
traditional ones, and the Maharishi Ayurveda ones.

At least to my ignorant eyes, Maharishi Ayurveda seems not just 
more complete but in fact a SUPERSET of traditional Ayurveda.

Let me try to explain this through an example: In traditional Ayurveda when 
you have a dosha imbalance (let's say Vata) you're instructed to follow a 
certain routine: Seasme oil massage, certain foods (warm, cooked) to follow 
and others to avoid. Seasonal changes, etc. Ayurveda might even penetrate 
deeper to effect your astral sheath using mantras and asanas, but this is 
where Ayurveda will stop and other related sciences sucn as Yoga and Jyotish 
(Hindu Astrology) will start.

The Ayurvedic healer might also prescribe certain herbs and herbal formulas and
decoctions, and will recommend purifying procedures (such as Pancha Karma) and
others. There is also color therapy, and aroma therapy, etc.

In Maharishi Ayurveda, all of the above is still relevant but is NOT the whole
story. First - TM itself is Ayurvedically recommended (in conjunction with
your treatment) and I have already talked with ayurvedic healers who are 
NON-TM-meditators and are NOT related to the TM movement, who give discounts
to patients who are TM-ers because they claim they're much easier to treat 
(i.e. heal faster and react better to herbs, etc.) because of TM. 
This is my personal observation, not a scientific study but it comes from 
"traditional" (not Maharishi) ayurveda.

As well, Maharishi Ayurvdea will have at least 20 different approaches to treat
the patient in more ways than one in such diverse techniques as Primordial Sound
and the Bliss Technique, the Gandharva Music, etc. and this is on top of the 
more conventional Ayurvedic therapy approach of herbs, routines, lifestyle,
pancha karma, etc.

For a more complete detailing of those 20 different approaches, please refer
to the book "ILA MA - a Celebration of Vedic Knowledge" (sorry, don't know 
the author's name) available through the TM movement MIU press or through any 
local TM center or try the 21st Century Bookstore mail order line (800) 593-2665
(not sure if they carry it)

As far as Ayurveda being a sacred knowledge and should not be charged for,
ALL ayurvedic doctors that I have seen, (and I have seen quite a few),
traditional or not, some from India, some American, have charged me money
to see them. As a matter of fact - why would you even expect to see a Dr. 
and NOT have to pay ? and how is the Ayurvedic Dr. supposed to make a living ? 
(unless he or she chooses not to charge which is their right but certainly 
not the norm here in the U.S.)