Ayurvedic Wisdom for Optimal Mental Health
- Ishaa Dhamne
- Mar 20, 2021
- 3 min read
As someone who has struggled with mental health issues for my whole life, I know how necessary it is to prioritize our own wellness before all else. Although the advancement of medical solutions to mental illness is most definitely a positive step, most people are looking for something more. Almost like therapy, ancient Hindu wisdom teaches us to reframe our thought processes and redirect our energy. The main difference between therapy and Ayurveda, in my experience, is that Ayurveda is a spiritual lifestyle. It represents a shift in not only your mentality, but every single aspect of your existence. I will be outlining a few Ayurvedic principles that can hopefully help you on your journey to mental wellness.
Honoring Yourself
A key principle of Ayurveda & Hindu texts in general is to connect with your own self. Ayurveda acknowledges the truth that each and every one of us is different in our own way. This balance is between mind, body, and soul. Meditation is an essential practice through which we can find that inner peace, the inner silence that allows us to just be. Mauli Rituals, an Ayurvedic brand based in the United Kingdom, puts the essence of meditation so eloquently: “Meditation is about stillness and inner reflection, not blocking out feelings and emotions, but being aware of them and learning to observe them without judgement.” Meditation creates a space where we can honor our feelings, silently observing them go by like clouds in the sky. Instead of wondering why we feel this way, we simply observe how we feel and realize that it is fleeting. We respect ourselves enough to honor our feelings. Ayurveda challenges us to not only recognize ourselves, but to accept, nourish, and honor ourselves as well.
Self-Control
Everything in moderation. Ayurveda places emphasis on living a balanced life, meaning that we must listen to our bodies when they tell us we are hungry or full, our minds when they say we are curious or exhausted, and our souls when they are in need of rest or nourishment. Because we live in a world that is focused on indulgence and materialism, the art of self-control is particularly valuable. With social media always trying to convince us that we need to buy certain things, look a certain way or act in a certain manner, we need to learn how to bring our focus back to ourselves. A quote from one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Acharya Shunya, speaks on the importance of self-control on her blog. She writes, “slowly develop self-control, use different situations to practice presence of mind, mindfully shun negative emotions, like jealousy and fear, work upon underlying anxieties, and as a conscious choice, adopt in every fearful situation, fearlessness.” While most of the things that go on around us in this world are out of our control, the one thing that we can control is our own mindset.
Compassion
Going back to the concept of balance, Ayurvedic principles invite us to turn our anger into compassion. While it is difficult to empathize with someone after a fight or a conflict, Ayurvedic wisdom serves as a gentle guide into the deepest parts of ourselves. Ahimsa, or non-violence, is one of the most well-known concepts that Ayurveda has blessed us with. Ahimsa does not stop at refraining from physical violence; it extends beyond that. It means that we treat people with grace, with compassion, with love, with understanding. It means that we step back before reacting and show the same respect to another living being that we would like to receive. Eventually, with the realization and honoring of the Self, we become more balanced, compassionate, and happier overall- just as we were always meant to be.
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