The Vedic Tradition

Ayurveda is the medical science of the Vedic civilization. The Vedic tradition is the oldest living spiritual culture on this planet. The Sanskrit root word ved means 'to know,' therefore in the broadest sense, any true knowledge is Veda. But more specifically, Veda refers to Absolute Truth: that truth about the fundamental nature of existence which, once known, never changes. This knowledge was recorded in its present form about 5,000 years ago by great sages in India. This literature, full of all wisdom, is collectively called the Vedas.

Such eternal universal truth ultimately must be spiritual in nature. But the extensive Vedic literature also contains a wealth of ageless wisdom on how to live a spiritual life in the material world. Part of this knowledge refers to health and longevity. Ayur means longevity, therefore Ayurveda means "the Absolute Truth about health and longevity."

The fundamental truth of all spiritual philosophy is that God is the Complete Whole (om purnam), the source of unlimited material energies and spiritual potencies, and the creator and sustainer of all creation. The soul is an emanation of spiritual energy from the Complete Whole, of similar spiritual quality but of infinitesimal quantity. We can be happy only when we align our existence and activities with the Universal Laws of the Complete Whole. To work in this consciousness is called karma-yoga, or engaging our activities in the service of the Supreme Cause.

Attaining enlightenment or self-realization is a process that requires both knowledge and purity. We receive Vedic knowledge through the disciplic succession of spiritual Master Teachers descending from the Supreme Lord, who is the source of all knowledge. Purity is attained by applying this knowledge in practice, by spiritual meditation and sacrifice, and by working in the spirit of renunciation.

The most powerful spiritual practice is to chant the Holy Names of the Lord in a spirit of devotion. This bhakti-yoga practice is especially recommended for Kali-yuga, the present historical period, when atheism and materialism become very prominent in the world. For a wealth of information about the esoteric spiritual teachings of the Vedas, please see our main site EsotericTeaching.org.