Definition of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is an ancient system of healing that has its roots in the Vedic knowledge of ancient India. It is thought by many scholars to be the oldest healing system in existence. The knowledge contained in Ayurveda deals with the nature, scope, and purpose of life. This system of healing embraces the metaphysical and physical, health and disease, happiness and sorrow, and pain and pleasure. It defines life as the expression of cosmic consciousness (sometimes called God, the Divine, Universal Awareness, or the Creator) manifest as the entire sphere of creation. In Vedic knowledge, the purpose of life is to know or realize the Creator (cosmic consciousness) and to express this divinity in one's daily life.

Ayur means life, and veda means knowledge. Systematized knowledge becomes a science, and so Ayurveda is considered the science of life. According to this system, individual life is a microcosm of the cosmos—an indivisible, unique phenomenon. Ayurveda evolved from practical, philosophical, and spiritual illumination, rooted in the understanding of creation.

The ancient seers, or rishis, were highly evolved, spiritual human beings who came to understand creation through deep meditation and other spiritual practices. In their search for an understanding of the creation of all things, Ayurveda was evolved. It helps each person understand one's unique body, mind, and the nature of daily operating consciousness. According to Ayurveda, this basic knowledge of body, mind, and consciousness is the foundation of health and happiness.

History and Development
Ayurveda dates back more than 5000 years. Of the seven ancient philosophies that it incorporates, the Sankhya model of creation and evolution is a system for use in daily life. The ancient sages who evolved this philosophy perceived how energy and the laws of nature manifest in all living, nonliving, gross, and subtle things, and they developed these precepts into a system of thought.

There are many ancient texts on Ayurveda, all originally written in Sanskrit. Although these works exist in English translation, their format may not be familiar or easily translatable into Western concepts. These texts are written in the form of sutras, which express the essence of the information in poetic form only. In the Ayurvedic tradition, it is essential for each student to have a mentor who can expand the student's understanding of Ayurveda and, in essence, provide the keys that unlock the layers of meaning contained within these ancient writings.