We use cookies to optimise our website functionality and give you the best experience possible. Please, accept our Terms and Conditions. ACCEPT
I began studying Chinese medicine because of my curiosity and desire to widen my knowledge.
I thought I would then be able to compare two traditional systems that had been very close to each other for some 700 years. Today I know that what I was hoping to compare is in fact incomparable. The best evidence of how deeply Ayurveda influenced Chinese medicine was recorded in the notes of a Chinese traveller, Pahian who studied in India approximately between the 4th and 6th centuries.
Chinese physicians studied at the universities of Takshashila and Nalanda, places that were considered to be the world centres of knowledge at that time. Buddhist monks and tradesmen carried this knowledge of Ayurveda into Tibet and through to China. Tracing down the connections between both the medical systems from the historical roots of traditional Chinese medicine as they are presented today, has become almost impossible because a grand majority of Buddhist temples and resources were destructed during the communist regime. An earlier system of medicine did exist in China which most contemporary books refer to as the original source of Chinese medicine. The pulse diagnosis of both the Chinese system and Ayurveda during the time of the peak of the Buddha’s teachings was very similar. Over time this method has become completely different in both systems. More importantly, back then Chinese medicine still worked with the spiritual aspect of human existence. Currently, it is almost impossible to find any information regarding the influence Buddhism had on Chinese medicine. No modern textbook mentions it.
In 1986, I finished a MA program at the San Francisco College of Acupuncture. There were thirty five of us in the class and a small group was preparing for practice in China. I had been attending a three year course of Chinese. For me the Chinese language seemed unpenetratable, but to this day, I have positive memories of our teacher who tried to make us sing Chinese opera arias. I looked forward to my trip to China. I hoped that I would be able to finally discover the dimension of Chinese medicine that had remained untouched during the time of my study. My enthusiasm increased after listening to a BBC program titled ‘A Hundred Lives’ feature an old doctor in a remote village somewhere in the midlands of China who was remarkably successful in treating mental disorders. With the people who sought his help, he worked at the soul level. His way of communicating to his patients was very similar to that of the experienced Ayurvedic doctors I came across in India. The next day I made haste for school and inquired to all our Chinese teachers whether they had ever heard anything about this doctor. They hadn’t. The only thing left for me was to hope that I would one day find this elderly village doctor.
The tragic events at Tiananmen Square put an early end to our plans for the trip to China. With my heart aching I watched how the school took a luke warm attitude towards the alarming news that was coming from China.
The first two years at the school of Chinese medicine resembled the study of Western medicine and most of the lecturers took place at the state university. Among a mass of unapproachable and strict lecturers I recall a bright figure of a Korean teacher, Doctor Kim, who taught us the basics of acupuncture and always knew how to raise our spirits during difficult times. He had the sensitivity of a good teacher and was of great inspiration to me. I remember him trying to encourage me to return to Ayurveda after my Chinese studies, “Ayurveda is a great tradition,” he told me. “Don’t worry, you will make it,” he added. Many times after I inwardly repeated his words when I needed to cheer myself up.
The clinical phase of study meant a distinct turn. I met many experienced teachers who put their whole being into teaching. The most prominent of them was Dr Yeh, a renowned San Francisco cardiologist with a background in Chinese and Western medicine. Later I had the opportunity to observe how, in his cardialogical practice, he used the best of traditional medicine. His lessons were a true demonstration of the integration of Western and Eastern medicine. He was an example of a teacher who was both eloquent and passionate. He literally poured information on us and gave us far more than we could have absorbed. We later became friends and four years ago I invited him for his first visit to India, where he spoke at an international conference on holistic medicine.
I have great respect for Chinese medicine and am convinced of its effectiveness. However, I must assert that the absence of the spiritual aspect is its weak point. Only when China begins to value human life, respect spiritual values and apply them with courage, will Chinese medicine once again become a holistic medicine. It is difficult for me to imagine that this could be possible without Tibet regaining freedom. I do not feel I should practice Chinese medicine until such a thing happens.
I have never claimed that Ayurveda has a perfect recipe for everything. On the other hand, what Ayurveda does know is how to make the human soul happy. It knows how to assist an individual in realizing the beauty of his or her soul. Only from this beauty does wisdom arise. It is this wisdom that helps us make the correct decisions in such a way so we can relieve others from their pain and suffering. To help the soul of a person is the true mission of medicine. The soul of a person suffers when it is neglected. People suffer until they open their soul to the process of healing. Every medical system must come to this realization in order to truly serve mankind. This must happen in Europe, America as well as China.
—
Read next chapter: ESSAYS ON AYURVEDA 11 >>
Titled as “Roving Ambassador of Ayurveda”, belongs to the first generation of Ayurvedic practitioners and teachers who have pioneered the way for Ayurveda's recognition as a mainstream system of medicine.
Born and raised in Paris, she has always been looking at the horizon. The city that nourished her, it was her trampoline for courageous free flight around this planet. It’s inspiring to keep up with her.
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT
Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.
ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala
Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.
The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.
MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE
Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.
MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj
In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.
Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?
Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!
SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.
Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.
KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE
There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.
