The Art of Ayurveda
Many readers have probably heard of the ‘Shayari Holic’ lifestyle, the name given to an ancient Indian sect which believes in reincarnation. The founder of this sect, Swami Dhyan Giten, had himself considered a’Reincarnator’ according to the Hindu scripture Katha Upanishad. The Swami created a unique system of values that guided his followers, including dietary rules, codes of conduct and ritualistic worship. This site explains it all.
It is estimated that there are up to five million followers of Swami Dhyan Giten in India today. The Swami’s teachings focus on building a ‘light’ temple or’sundial’ at each location where the spirit moves. This act is supposed to attract positive energy and bring about transformation. This ‘order of the world’ is based on meditation, chant, visualization and a strict vegetarian diet.
The word Shari means to lead, to direct or to lead in a particular direction. In Sanskrit the word Shari means, ‘to rule’. Shari means to be holy, to follow a path of goodness. The word Shari means, ‘to practice’, to make good use of the planet. It means, ‘obeying rules’, ‘obeying the law’, ‘obeying the custom’, ‘obeying the discipline’. And finally Shari literally means, ‘to practice self-realization’.
The concept of reincarnation can be explained by science as the following: ‘The present life is a samsara or the causal body; the next life a prana or the eternal, subtle body’. So the human being is eternal in both senses – in the sense that he is causal and in the sense that he is subtle. This eternal or subtle being has its own form of existence called a ‘prana’, which is the life energy field that permeates and co-ordinates all existing things, both visible and invisible.
According to the Swami Dhyan Giten, all existing things have the nature of’Shakti’. ‘Shakti’ is ‘God’ in the true sense of the term. This Shakti is the fountain of all spiritual powers or forces and they are spread everywhere and in every dimension of reality. There are many who call this Shakti ‘Moksha’. The Akashic Records present the fact that the Akashic Records were produced by the deities themselves.
The word ‘Shakti’ also implies separation, as in ‘that which separates the waters of the sea from the skies’. The Akashic Records clearly state that the Akashic world is nothing other than the consciousness of God. In fact, all the greatest religions of the world are expressions of the spiritual realities that manifest in the Akashic realms.
What all these cultures have in common is that they believe in God, and all spiritual entities or beings have been associated with God. In the Yoga Sutras the Supreme Lord is identified as Shiva. Shiva is the son of Ayurveda (The divine science) and Parva (knowledge). Shiva’s twin brother Jiva is often pictured as a serpent, because like Shiva he too is considered a part of God.
When we pray to any particular ‘Pancha’ or god we do so for the benefit of all that we see, hear and feel. When we praise the God, we ask for all the good things that he has promised us. These things include health, wealth, protection, peace, love, etc. When we worship a particular god we do so with the hope that he would protect us, guide us, lead us and help us in our personal and professional lives. worship is a way of declaring allegiance and loyalty to the spiritual powers and there is a strong connection between worship and spiritual realities.
There are various ways to perform Yoga such as Hatha Yoga. This is a very popular form of exercise which strengthens and tones the body, mind and soul. Hatha Yoga involves physical exercises, breathing techniques and meditation. It is ideal for women who want to learn and practice it safely. It is also highly beneficial for those who want to get in shape and improve their health.
A major aim of this film was to bring to the forefront the message of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a path that leads to inner knowledge, but unfortunately many people in the West are ignorant of its true nature and that is why it is very rare to find an Ayurvedic healer in mainstream medicine. This movie tried to give a much needed wake-up call to the western public with its interesting messages about Ayurveda and its benefits. Even though the movie ended on a sour note, it did have one upside – it introduced many new fans to Ayurveda. I would recommend that anyone who is unfamiliar with Ayurveda watch the full length DVD so that they can see what I am talking about.
The movie was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and written by him. The title ‘Shayari Holic’ actually came from the name of the main character Ashishta (played by Dhiren Delehirs) and his association with Ayurveda. The subject of Ayurveda is quite a complex one and is not really discussed too often in the context of films and TV programs. There are many debates going on about its nature, origins, treatments and even its practicability. But in my opinion, it is worth seeing just to see what all the fuss is about.