Sadvritta: Ethics and morals in Ayurveda

Even in the otherwise rather tranquil town of Bad Homburg, there is only one topic on the streets this morning: the horrific attack in Nice, in which many people lost their precious lives. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternity - Liberty, equality, fraternity was the motto of the French Revolution of 1789, which is commemorated every year on 14 July as a bank holiday in France. This slogan is being put to the toughest test again today.

This day makes me very sad. The suffering is immeasurable for everyone: for the Victim, who wanted to celebrate together in joy; for their Relatives, who have lost their loved ones in a few seconds; for the one or the Perpetrator, who acted in complete mental confusion and ignorance; for Foreigners and Muslims, who are increasingly placed under general suspicion with every act of terrorism; for our western Companies, which are increasingly threatening to divide.

As one of the representatives of Ayurvedic medicine and lifestyle in the West, I see it as my task to share Ayurvedic values and behavioural recommendations with you. In future, therefore, in addition to basic Ayurvedic concepts, I will increasingly comment on personal stories and world events in an Ayurvedic way in my blog and present concrete suggestions for change.

SADVRITTA means „right behaviour“ according to ethical and moral values. In Ayurveda, it is important to gain knowledge of the laws of nature and then to live happily in harmony with them - for the benefit of all. The practical application of Sadvritta in everyday life promotes tolerance, understanding and helpfulness. The greatest WIN-WIN model of all time...

On my walk to our centre today, I saw a mother and her daughter sitting in a French café - the daughter was busy on her smartphone and reporting on the current events in Nice. The mother spoke in parallel to her with a highly dismissive facial expression and I could repeatedly hear xenophobic words such as „deport“ and „deport“. An attitude that doesn't solve any problems causally and only deepens rifts.

Sadvritta is part of the Ayurvedic health teachings „Svasthavritta“ and describes socio-moral aspects of a healthy life. Sadvritta enables us to view our health and the reality of our lives from a wider perspective, as part of a larger whole to which we are connected. This enables us to effectively prevent unnecessary stress and mental and psychosomatic illnesses.

2000 years ago, Ayurveda formulated its concept of man as follows:

„All activities of beings serve to attain happiness and avoid suffering. However, due to the difference between recognising and not recognising, the activities are divided into paths and detours.”

People are not inherently evil and terrorise those who think differently. Under certain circumstances, such as poverty, a lack of education and appreciation, experiences of violence and human disappointment, dark parts can mature in everyone and lead to actions that cause suffering.

Ayurveda calls on us to treat all people with respect, tolerance and a willingness to help, regardless of their origin, skin colour or world view. This is not always easy, but there is no alternative, especially in these times. The power of love and compassion will always be stronger than that of anger and retaliation.

Under the term ACHARA RASAYANA Ayurveda describes specific rules for noble behaviour and actions that create harmony and happiness.

I would like to quote a passage from our Ayurvedic „bible“, the Charaka Samhita:

„You shouldn't approach things impatiently or brashly;
one should be concerned about the adequate maintenance of dependent persons;
You should share your joy with others;
you should not have an unpleasant character, behaviour or illness;
You should neither be dependent on others nor distrust everyone;
You shouldn't be too pedantic all the time;
You should not develop the habit of postponing everything or rushing into something without researching it;
You should not become a slave to your senses or give free rein to your unsteady mind;
You should not overload your intellect, senses or spirit;
You shouldn't try to do too many things at once;
You shouldn't do things out of anger or joy;
You shouldn't suffer grief all the time;
one should not become conceited because of success, nor despair because of failure;
You should always remember your own nature;
You should always be aware of the interdependence of cause and effect and act accordingly;
one should not be overly prejudiced by one's own actions;
You should never give up courage and forget insults.“

May Ayurveda spread and live its timeless and location-independent values through practitioners all over the world, especially in these times characterised by hatred and mistrust.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time and attention in reading these lines. and apply their contents.

With best wishes for your health and personal development,