Ayurveda is a heritage stream of medicine based on nature. This originated in India and survives as a unique branch of medicine, practised and followed by millions around the world. Its origins go back to Atharva & Rig Veda and got systematised between 6th century BC to 7th century AD also called the Samhita period.

I have believed in this science of medicine and have benefited over the last decade. Both my spouse and me attend an ayurveda centre regularly for detoxification & rejuvenation. This year we are at Poomully Mana, a heritage ayurveda retreat in Kerala.

While many have a belief that Ayurveda is all about massages only, this may be a misnomer. It is a holistic science. Ayurveda literally means the “knowledge of life” as “Ayur is life and “Veda” means “Knowledge”. The belief in Ayurveda is one of universal inter-connectedness, body constitution and life forces.

Ayurveda starts with an internal purification process with a special diet, herbal medicines and massage therapy. So they first prepare the body to get to a stable state and then cleanse the body.This could be supplemented with yoga and meditation.

We spent 11 days this time and it has been a holistic detoxification process. The first eight days they prepare the body to stabilise through special medicated oil massage therapy along with herbal medicines and diet control. Then they detoxify the body with enema and clear off all toxins. You become lighter and fitter by the end of this process. The doctors monitor your progress all through the day and all through your stay.

The serene environment with kingfishers, wood peckers and peacocks around you and the gentle breeze from the trees cleanses your mind and soul too. The chirping of the birds wake you up naturally and the selfless service of the staff make you grounded and humble.

It is important for us to come here with an open mind and surrender ourselves to the caring doctors and staff. As far as possible we should not carry our day to day work pressures here and continue to create more stress in our minds, while we undergo this treatment. I know many of us are playing important roles in organisations or own businesses. However, I believe our health is more important than whatever work we do. We need to remember that health and happiness money cannot buy.

In my view, if we believe in nature, we could believe in Ayurveda. It is the purification process of the body, mind and soul. In order to get the maximum out of such treatments, one should leave our work ecosphere and come here with an open mind and trust the benefits of Ayurveda.

Our ability to disconnect from our daily rituals of work will make this stay worthy of its investment. We need to take control of ourselves and not blame anyone else for not benefiting fully and wholly from this science of nature.

It may be worthwhile to cleanse our mind, body and soul at least once in a year for all the toxins we feed our body right through the year.

Let the journey begin.

S Ramesh Shankar

22nd Feb 2023