Ayurveda was not ubiquitous once. In fact, its antiquity going back to the Vedas, seems to have been the world view of its time, but subsequently this knowledge base shrank to India alone until the end of the 20th century because of its unique pro-nature vision,
Ayurveda once again is gaining global relevance in the 21st century. This new upsurge of interest in Ayurveda and its rapidly increasing public use has given rise to many newer challenges.
The demand for scientific evidence base for the efficacy and safety of allopathic medications has been gaining momentum over the last couple of centuries. Simultaneously demand for newer scientific evidence for the efficacy of Ayurveda is developing in the 21st century.
The public generally, as well as pockets of the scientific fraternity, seem to be largely convinced of Ayurveda principles and approaches as a logical life science and healing modality. There has been great interest by researchers to launch research and development of Ayurveda. Simultaneously Tibetan Medicine has also been welcoming of this approach. But as most of the programs in the research field are based on conventional reductionist methodologies there is need to develop research methodology appropriate to Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicines.
Both Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine have an unique approach to healing modalities based on centuries of study, research and practice of medicine. Research shows that in any research project the goal of research should not be compromised to fit the convenience of researching methods. As such, if there is a call for evidence base Ayurvedic medicine, should not methodologies be developed for appropriate new methods specific to the Ayurvedic approach? “Technology for developing new scientific evidence for validity of a classical concept will have to be created to test the original knowledge without distorting the same to suit the application of the new methodology” (R H Singh 2010) There never is one size that fits all.
These question arise ‘Why is there an upsurge globally in Ayurvedic medicines?’ ‘What do we need to do differently to heal chronic lifestyle diseases?’
In today’s consumer world such questions are underpinned by commercial considerations The pharmaceutical industry has invested billions into their own research on drugs and they expect a return on their investment for their shareholders.
On the other hand for millennia the domain of Ayurvedic and Tibetan Medicines was managed by local doctors in their community, where they gained intimate knowledge of herbs, picked herbs themselves in the forests to make their own herbal medicines. This knowledge of medicine was passed down from master to student and involved decades of personalised learning. The body of knowledge of the logical application of the principles of therapeutics and healing with Ayurveda grew slowly over centuries.
Different forms of medicines developed around the globe for different reasons, but they all had the same aim of healing people. But healing, medicine, herbal methodologies developed quite differently from each school of medicine that developed in different parts of the world. Each developed their own body of knowledge based on completely different theories, knowledge, philosophies and influences.
In the current 21st century with it’s very fast pace of life, rapid escalation of disruptive technologies, eternal quest for a quick fix, and thirst for consumption of commodities has left us with unmanageable lifestyle diseases globally. People are suffering, the environment is suffering, the Planet is suffering.
Isn’t it time we stopped to think about the purpose of what we are trying to achieve in life? Of course no one is saying we should not reap benefits of wealth, living well, enjoying abundance but at what expense, and to whom? Isn’t it time for global leaders to consider different approaches and alternatives to living standards in the face of opposition of competing interests?
Evidence shows that the goal of consumerism has surpassed quality of our living standards. People are becoming more aware of healthy alternatives wanting to live a more conscious, healthy life. People want to heard, understood and respected no matter what the differences are in culture, opinions, interests, foods, life’s methodologies. Deep down people really want to live to a higher purpose. Health, Cure and Contemporary Ayurveda can help us do that.
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