Field effect of consciousness and holistic health in Ayurveda

Title : Field effect of consciousness and holistic health in Ayurveda

Abstract:

Ancient text of Ayurveda – the science of wholeness of life, Charak Samhita, characterises the wholeness of life as a continuum of consciousness, that every expression of life is always connected to the source of life, and that life is always conscious of itself, and that life upholds its own physiology. Consciousness, when directed outwards, connects the objective world of knowledge and experience with the individual or the self, that is, the knower or the experiencer. Thus, consciousness connects the outer, expressed physical world; the inner mental world of thoughts, intellect, ego, and finer, quieter levels of feeling; and ultimately, the source of human intelligence or pure awareness. Ancient Indian texts of Vedic sciences, such as Ayurveda and Yoga, describe this state as a field of pure consciousness. It is defined as the Self (Atma), which underlies all our perceiving, knowing, experiencing, and interacting. It is experienced as the field of pure consciousness or Samadhi. This is described as a fourth natural state of consciousness and is as natural as the three commonly known states: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. The state of Samadhi, or pure consciousness, is a tangible and experienceable phenomenon. Transcendental Meditation is an easy, natural, and effortless practice that leads the mind to this state of Yoga – a state of perfect wholeness, balance and harmony. During Transcendental Meditation, EEG brain waves show strong frontal and global alpha coherence between the left and right hemispheres and front-to-back regions. This is interpreted as the brain entering a highly integrated, coherent state of calm wakefulness and relaxed internal awareness. High coherence suggests better communication and integration between brain regions. This is associated with improved cognitive functioning, emotional stability, creativity, and overall health. Ayurveda posits a concept of collective health and social harmony by fostering coherence in collective consciousness. Many conceptions of the field effects of consciousness have been proposed. The most well-developed of these is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s, which holds that every individual in society, whether stressed or coherent, contributes to collective consciousness. Collective consciousness, in turn, impacts the life of every individual, guiding the trends of life in the nation. Twenty-three peer-reviewed studies and approximately 50 demonstrations have found that when a relatively small proportion of a population practices Transcendental Meditation and its advanced programs in a group setting, there is a decrease in negative trends such as crime, violence, hospital admissions, and fatalities. In a recent study in the USA, it was found that during the 2007-2011 demonstration period, there were significant and meaningful nationwide reductions in indicators of national stress, such as murders, rapes, aggravated assaults, robberies, drug-induced deaths, etc.

Biography:

Dr Momaya is a director of Maharishi European Research University, a Dutch foundation providing training and services in education, Ayurveda health care, and social well-being. He is a director at the International Maharishi Ayurveda Foundation in the Netherlands. This global organization serves as a platform to integrate and bring all aspects of Ayurveda into the mainstream. Furthermore, he is also a director at Maharishi AyurVeda Europe B.V., a Dutch company manufacturing and distributing herbal health food supplements. He spent many years working under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the great scientist of consciousness and the founder of the Transcendental Meditation programme. He received extensive education and training under Maharishi’s guidance in all aspects of Vedic Science.