Abstract:

Ayurveda, a Foundation for Integrative Medicine
Dr. med. Walter Mölk, Austria

Integrative medicine is characterized by a holistic approach to the patient, including all aspects of lifestyle, and the use of different types of both conventional and alternative therapies. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has pointed out that the successful integration of all these therapies can only be on the basis of the silent level of our own consciousness, Atma (the Self) or the Unified Field in the language of modern physics.

In order to achieve effective prevention and healing without side-effects it is necessary to consider all influences that affect health. The three basic ayurvedic treatment types such as Daiva Vyaprashaya (spiritual therapy), Yukti Vyaprashaya (rational therapy) and Sattwavajaya (psychological therapy) can cover all these influences. The question is how they can be applied in a medical practice?

This goal is achieved in Maharishi Ayurveda by a multimodality approach covering the whole range of Natural Law from the abstract, unmanifest field of creation to all the expressed levels of human life. The treatment modalities have an age-old tradition and many of them have been researched and the results published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. This approach also includes diagnostic methods and treatments of modern medicine, and systems of natural medicine with a long tradition and/or scientific studies proving their effectiveness.

Maharishi Ayurveda is a prevention oriented system which also considers and integrates influences which are usually not taken into account by conventional medicine, including development of consciousness in the individual and in the society (level of coherence in collective consciousness), the near environment (architectural design and city planning) and the distant environment (cosmic influences from our solar system and the stars). The goal of all these approaches is, besides addressing specific health concerns, to enliven the inner intelligence of the body and create an ideal atmosphere for personal development and growth in a peaceful and affluent society.

The patient is not so much interested in any particular system but wants to get cured without side-effects. Therefore it is not so important which system we use as a physician as long as we are able to achieve the above mentioned goals.

The most fundamental level of Ayurvedic treatment is the state of Yoga or union, in which individual and cosmic intelligence are integrated. It is a dynamic state of perfect health where the person is established in himself, ‘Swa-sthya’, in the self-referral state of consciousness, ‘…Swarupe avasthanam’ (Yoga Sutra 1.3). Regular experience of this lively state of inner silence through the practice of Transcendental Meditation is the basis not only for individual health, but also for collective health, and therefore represents a good foundation for any kind of integrative medicine.