Simon is an Ayurveda student and someone who is extremely passionate about the whole system of Ayurveda. He is one of the most enthusiastic person we've met during our Rediscovering Ayurveda series and his inquisitiveness towards everything that is related Ayurveda has left is in awe and admiration.
Inspired by his interest in Ayurveda we at Amrutam decided to interview Simon and know his story and how he started practising Ayurveda as a way of living.
Let’s read his story in his own words. #rediscoveringayurveda
How did you start your journey as Ayurveda Practitioner? (Tell us your story)
Āyurveda and I must have met for the first time about a decade ago when a stranger handed me a book about the "medicine of nature“. Back then I was already diving into meditation and "healthy living". Soon I began to share my insights into philosophical, spiritual and nutritional questions by blogging and giving talks at high schools and university.
Simon (left) with Dr. Vasant Lad
Increasingly mentioning Āyurveda even though I was rather a fan of the raw food lifestyle and generally put much effort looking into scientific studies. I gave one last talk in 2017 after I shut the blog down earlier already as I needed a break, but Āyurveda never lets me go. Long story short: the second I was wondering where my life would lead I was given the opportunity to study Ayurvedic Medicine.
What inspired you to take the path of Ayurveda and Healthy Lifestyle? What keeps you motivated to do what you do?
In the late 70s the WHO announced “Health for all by 2000“. Since then, a lot of research was done to develop new therapies. Even to find remedies for the so called uncurable diseases. This is beautiful. Still what has been missed out very sadly is putting as much effort into prevention. Which I understand is not easy to advertise as modern science is likely to change statements every three to five years. Research is always related to its context. In contrast Āyurveda is a 5000 years old “-logy“ of life in any aspect from birth ‘til death.
Accompanied by ill health whilst growing up I always wished for a traditional healer. Moreover what is missing in one's early years is education in life itself.
"My very ambition is to address prevention by means of Āyurveda as it is making sense of the human system in a way every ordinary person can integrate into daily life".
We need to understand: Health does not describe a state of statistical equilibrium but creates and confirms itself constantly. It is a dynamic process. The whole theory of tridoṣa is so important. Because Āyurveda doesn’t treat signs and symptoms, but helps to create balance in the biological factors (VPK).
What are your favorite healthy habits you practice regularly, taken from the philosophy of Ayurveda?
How do you think Ayurveda and Yoga relate to one another?
It is said that that knowledge is the root of life. And wherever there is life, this knowledge exists. But it will only reveal itself in yoga. This is why Āyurveda and Yoga go together. Combined they may lead to physical, psychological and spiritual health which is necessary to achieve the four pillars of life (Puruṣārtha): dharma, artha, kāma and mōkṣa.
How do you think awareness regarding both Ayurveda and Yoga can be increased?
"As it is beneficial to mankind in respect of both the worlds (i.e. this life and the life beyond), Āyurveda is the most sacred and honoured by those proficient in the Vedas."— CS Sū. 1.43
This Knowledge may disappear for a while to reappear in people's consciousness sometime later. It can not be rediscovered, but is rather verbalized in new ways. It is important not only to spread the word but to “walk the gtalk“ so that our kids, family and friends may naturally follow. Even strangers will then be inspired. But we need to demystify all this spiritual jargon which is going on and dive into actual experience, get proper education, learn from each other and build networks to run workshops and host events. I see the most potential in offering Āyurveda and Yoga classes at school.
What is your message for all Ayurveda, Spiritual, Yoga and Healthy living enthusiasts?
I believe we can heal the world if we manage to heal ourselves. So the following words actually are a reminder to myself: do not be enslaved by anything. Take out the trash. Loose your mind. Reinvigorate yourself. Acquire the wisdom of doing. Disturb your comfort. Meditate in every action. Practice smiling every day. Trust the process. The guru is in you.
Which Amrutam product would you love to try?
Looking for the right oil to apply while everyday self-abhyanga I’d love to try Kayakey body oil. Furthermore Brainkey gold malt would be a great support to student life, for it shall enhance memory and improve mental concentration.
REDISCOVERING AYURVEDA
Rediscovering Ayurveda is Amrutam’s series of blogs which includes various men and women and their ideas about Ayurveda. Even though, India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, with passing time it has lost its original importance as a school of life among Indians and many a time have been limited to be referred as a school of medicine. Ayurveda is surely much more than that.
So, we at Amrutam decided to go out and find what Ayurveda means to people in the present day.
This is the fourteenth article in Amrutam’s series of articles called Rediscovering Ayurveda, which aims to understand the idea or perception that modern-day men and women carry about Ayurveda.
