Three Main Causes of Disease in Ayurveda: What You Can Do About It
The Three Main Causes of Disease in Ayurveda
Ancient wisdom has always had a way of packaging profound truths into bite-sized insights, and Ayurveda is no exception. The ancient scholars had a knack for numbers, systematic approaches and outlines for just about everything. You know Ayurveda is the “science of life” so of course they had to cover creation inside and out, top to bottom. The three main causes of disease and what you can do about it are simplified and outlined in each of the major texts (Sushrut Samhita, Charak Samhita and the Ashtanga Hridayam). As simple as they are they form the bedrock for our work as Ayurvedic Health Advisors and Practitioners allowing us to support clients to prevent them.
The Three Main Causes of Disease
1. Time
2. Failure of the Intellect
3. Misuse of the 5 Senses
Let’s unpack each one! Time (kala) with its relentless forward march, is inescapable. But what if we could cushion its effects on our body? While we cannot stop time, we can slow the reactions our body has to time through healthy practices and slowing down. Ayurveda is often celebrated for its age-defying treatments, offering a roadmap to both rejuvenation and an extended lifespan. Yet, the secret doesn’t solely lie in superfoods, potent herbs, or even immersive retreats and cleanses. Though these can help, it is much more about how daily rituals have long term impact on your own time cycle in this lifetime.
We’ve all experienced moments of knowingly making less-than-ideal decisions. Ayurveda terms this as ‘failure of the intellect.’ It emphasizes that by mastering our minds, we can foster better choices, thereby positively influencing our health.
This idea dovetails with the concept of ‘Misuse of the Five Senses.’ When our discernment falters, we may inadvertently allow things into our lives through our senses that aren’t in our best interest. Let’s explore how Ayurveda illuminates the path to mindful living through understanding these concepts.
Three Main Cases of Disease & What You Can Do About It
Eager to sidestep the three main causes of disease? We’ve got some Ayurvedic strategies up our sleeve! In our intensive 500-Hour Professional Ayurveda Program, we share with students the detailed intricacies of the Five Sense Channels. By understanding the unique dynamics of how specific qualities can offset balance for different individuals, during various seasons or life stages, we equip our students with knowledge to foster harmony through cultivating the opposite. But the journey doesn’t stop there. As students transition to mentorship, together we explore the transformative power of Five Sense Therapy, paving the way for enhanced well-being and longevity for their clients.
If you are curious about what this may look like we encourage you to take a pass at our online Quiz. While we focus on digestion, you will learn swiftly the interconnection between the other four senses and the role each one plays in determining health or disease and working to slow the hands of time and we give you customized recommendations based on your results.
Time Sensitive? Try Slowing Down
Time might seem like a relentless force, but what if we could navigate its effects more gracefully? While we can’t add extra hours to our day or often reduce our to-do lists, we can influence how our bodies respond to time’s wear and tear, potentially slowing aging and decreasing susceptibility to disease. Ancient practices like meditation and pranayama have been the trusted allies of yogis and Ayurvedic practitioners for ages. Ever heard the adage about each person having a finite number of breaths in their lifetime? If that’s true then calming the system down, breathing slower and gentler and being mindful of how we use our energy might be the ticket. Our top practice recommendations are personalized daily meditation and full yogic breathing.
Tuning In: Guiding Your Intellect in the Right Direction
Remember Jiminy Cricket’s wise advice in Pinocchio, urging us to “always let your conscience be your guide”? While it’s a familiar refrain, discerning right from wrong isn’t always black and white. This becomes especially nuanced when striving to understand our body’s subtle signals and crafting a pathway to optimal health. Navigating these subtleties can be a bit of a maze, but there are some foundational pointers we can spotlight:
- Who are you listening to? In an era saturated with information, discerning fact from fiction can feel like navigating a maze. With countless voices online, ranging from credible experts to casual sharers and even fabricators, how do we know who to trust? Our compass? The revered texts of Ayurveda. This millennia-old system, rich with wisdom, serves as our touchstone. And we love it! We prioritize these ancient teachings over fleeting social media trends. Every insight we share is rooted not in personal whims but in the timeless wisdom handed down by scholars. Our teachings are anchored in classic texts, ensuring authenticity in every lesson. So, whenever in doubt about the source of our information—or anyone else’s for that matter—ask. Verify your sources.
- Trust your gut. As you start working with Five Sense Therapy, quieting the noise and excess of experiences, the body and consciousness can start speaking more clearly. You’ll find a deeper connection to your intuition by tuning into your gut—both metaphorically and literally. Eat when you’re hungry. Take a break when you’re not. Notice if you really need that extra dash of salt or cookie after dinner. Go beyond cerebral thoughts, and connect with the underlying currents of your being. You might just discover insights that surprise and guide you.
Lean in to the Five Senses
There is a full blog post on 5 Sense Therapy you can jump to later, but in the meantime here is an abbreviated run down to get you started.
Taste– The best place to start is eating what is fresh, local, and in season. These foods will naturally emo y the flavors best suited for your immediate environment and time of year. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can offer guidance on the tastes that align with your unique constitution. For a quick peek into the quality of your digestive system and tailored eating tips, check out our engaging online quiz.
Touch- Self oil massage for the win in Ayurveda! But it doesn’t stop there. Consider the fabrics you wear and the materials you interact with daily. From the clothes gracing your skin to the textiles you surround yourself with, being mindful of what you come into contact with can make a world of difference.
Scent- Scent holds a special place in our hearts. From the soothing wafts of incense to the vibrant aroma of fresh flowers, herbs, and essential oils, we infuse our living spaces with fragrances that delight. These aromatic additions not only uplift our mood but also envelop us in a cocoon of comfort, well-being and just make you feel nice!
Sound- In the symphony of life, sound plays a pivotal role. Ayurveda encourages us to immerse ourselves in the melodies of nature, the soothing rhythms of calming music, or even the profound stillness of silence. Our ears often absorb more than we realize, sometimes taking in jarring noises or persistent background hums that don’t necessarily serve our well-being. By curating the sounds around us, we can foster a more harmonious and balanced environment.
Sight- In today’s digital era, our eyes are constantly bombarded. Extended screen time can strain both our physical vision and our mental clarity. Ayurveda offers a mindful approach to this: balance. Take breaks from screens, soak in nature’s vistas, or simply closing your eyes to rejuvenate can make a significant difference.
What ties all these sense therapies together?
It’s the conscious choice of what we absorb and allow into our body and mind on a daily basis. When you truly grasp the gravity of this, it will change your life. While some of these ideas might seem straightforward, if you take these simple suggestions and run with them you may notice more calm, clarity, energy, comfort and joy in your day to day. That’s the beauty of Ayurveda. It can be quite simple. Once you begin on the path things seem to fall into place with greater ease and the Three Main Causes of Disease become easier to prevent than they may initally appear. It may surprise you!
Kickstart your journey by taking a moment to slow down, tune in, and embrace self-care practices through the Five Senses. And when you’re primed for the next phase of your Ayurvedic exploration, we’re here to guide you further. We look forward to seeing you there!
