We use cookies to optimise our website functionality and give you the best experience possible. Please, accept our Terms and Conditions. ACCEPT
EGO, HUMBLENESS AND A STUDENT OF MEDICINE
Twenty years ago, my spiritual teacher, Guru Nitya, handed me a letter and said: “I am sending you to my friend to learn Ayurveda. I do not know if there is a better place for you to learn.”
The following week I set out. After many hours on the train I arrived at the clinic of Sudhir Vaidya and his brother. I waited for about half an hour and was then invited in the room where both Vaidyas were sitting. At first glance they did not look like brothers. In fact they differed as the sun is different from the moon. Sudhir´s brother was heavy built, strong looking, wore a snow white shirt, his hair was smoothly combed back from his forehead and he wore dark frame glasses on his round, clean shaven face. A real physician at first sight. Next to him Sudhir sat cross-legged. He had a thin ascetic body, half naked with only a dhoti around his waist. From an unshaven face, two piercing eyes stared at me. His wild appearance did not correlate with my image of what a doctor should look like. A cigarette in his hand only underlined this discrepancy.
GURU NITYA CHAITANYA YATI
Nitya Chaitanya Yati (2 November 1924 - 14 May 1999) was an Indian philosopher, psychologist, author and poet, best known for his commentaries on Advaita Vedanta as well as his literary criticisms. He was a disciple of Nataraja Guru, the successor to Narayana Guru. Yati published over 140 books in English and Malayalam including a commentary on Darsana Mala of Narayana Guru, titled, Psychology of Darsana Mala. Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award for literary criticism in 1977.
“So what brought you here?” asked Sudhir and covered himself in a cloud of smoke. I proudly took out the Guru’s letter and handed it to Sudhir´s brother. I thought it would speak for itself and everything would be settled at once. The older Vaidya scanned through it and without a word passed it on to his brother. Sudhir just threw a quick glance at the letter and ushered:
“Ah, Guru Nitya…” instead of reading the letter, to my displeasure, he started to play with it in his hand turning it upside down as if he couldn’t even read. This aggravated me, such disrespect to my teacher! Both brothers asked me a number of questions and at the end, Sudhir said carelessly:
“We don’t teach anything special here, but you can stay if you want to.”
I had made up my mind - I was insulted and certain that I had nothing to learn at this place. Shortly after, I gave my farewell and left their house. I was full of disappointment. I could not understand how my Guru could have such a high opinion of them.
©
JINDRA BOHM
It took me almost twenty years to understand that their behaviour had nothing to do with their respect to Guru Nitya. It was simple - more than the recommendation, they were interested in finding out who was coming to learn from them. A number of years passed before my next meeting with Sudhir Vaidya. A strange destiny brought us together this time. A Czech couple brought their daughter Veronika to me for treatment. She had been paralyzed after a serious car accident. I had always liked Veronika for her good heart; in spite of her misfortune she never lost her smile. Her parents had personified the example of never ending love that allows miracles to happen. Veronika was thirteen when I recommended Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala and after ten days in a massage centre that did not bring the desired results; I knew that I had to seek help from Sudhir Vaidya. That same day, several people, independently of each other, told me that the only one who would be able to make a difference in Veronika’s state of health was Sudhir Vaidya. It was one of the many strange coincidences that often happen in India – as if I was meant to finish what I should have already done a long time ago.
It took me quite a long to locate Sudhir Vaidya in a small hospital at the edge of the jungle, one of the three hospitals where he worked as a chief physician. I did not wait long, and there he was – almost the same as when I first met him. In his early seventies, he had the same straight posture common to Yogis, the same simple dhoti and a light shawl around his neck. This time his stride was slower and more humble, although he had the same piercing eyes and a cigarette in his hand. I did not think he would recognize me after all these years. I bowed down to touch his feet and he said “It took a long time, before you returned!” There was a slight tinge of irony in his voice. “Stand up!” he ordered me.
I couldn’t believe my ears. Slowly standing up, I wondered how to respond. When I finally looked into his face I was overwhelmed. I suddenly saw something I had not noticed many years ago. His eyes were full of compassion and kindness. He gave me a warm hug and both he and I were overcome with happiness.
“Last week you were in my dreams every night, I knew you were coming,” He said. He didn’t ask anything. It was as though no time had passed since we last met. The only important thing was that I was there.
I explained to him briefly about Veronika, and when he heard of the preceding treatments he cried. “Why are you delaying?! Bring her in without any delay tomorrow!” And thus began my true study with him. Nearly thirty years after my Guru sent me to him. How long must our ego take to mature, before we can become true students of our teachers?
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.
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.
