I have just returned from the Global Ayush Summit in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. AYUSH in India stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. In Europe, we have CAM, which stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Ayurveda currently ranks 4th or 5th globally, but it is on the rise. At this summit, I received the Ayush Ratna Award for my contributions to the field of international Ayurvedic medicine.
Today, as a thought leader in this industry, I would like to emphasize that while we often evaluate different medical systems, we must also reform our own habits, lifestyle, mindset, and nutrition for any kind of medicine to work effectively.
In this fast-paced world, everything is just a click away. But is health something we can achieve solely through pills or external therapies, or is a deeper internal change required to get better results? This is a question I’ve reflected on over the years in my practice.
I’m writing this article to inspire each of you to deeply reflect on what I’ve discovered over the years, supported by Ayurvedic principles, presented in a way that is easy to understand in the modern world. These are the five principles I have applied to every client I’ve worked with:
1) Dinacharya not discipline
Over the years, I’ve seen patients trying to discipline themselves—attempting to eat healthily, exercise, go to the gym, and follow strict diets. This often leads to failure as they force themselves into new behaviors. While discipline can be beneficial up to a point, Ayurveda always emphasizes following a dinacharya—a daily routine that incorporates work, self-care, fun, and relaxation.
Difference Between Dinacharya and Discipline
- Dinacharya is your natural routine, which doesn’t drain your energy, while strict discipline requires a lot of effort.
- Dinacharya incorporates work, self-care, fun, and relaxation, while discipline can be rigid and imbalanced.
- Dinacharya keeps us healthy, while discipline can sometimes push us beyond our capabilities.
Dinacharya is mentioned in the Sutrasthana section of the classical Ayurvedic texts, known as the Samhitas. It is derived from the combination of two Sanskrit words: “dina,” meaning day by day, and “chara,” meaning to move or follow. The chapter on daily routines begins with the statement: “Athato dinacharya namah adhyaya vyakhyasamah iti ha smahuratreyadayo maharshayah.”
A good dinacharya that balances your life can be created, and in my course “Transformation with Ayurveda,” you can learn how to design one for yourself.
2) All things in life are progressive both good and bad
All signs in Ayurveda are progressive in nature and carefully calculated. In advanced stages of disease, the doshas often mix and manifest as complex systemic imbalances that require proper monitoring. Each life is precious, and the first objective of any science, including Ayurveda, is to ensure that the right steps are taken to restore a person’s health.
Example: A pitta imbalance may start with something as mild as acidity, but if left unchecked, it can progress to inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal system. Similarly, a vata imbalance —caused by not learning how to relax, aging, or constant overstimulation—may begin with a little nervousness, lack of focus, or feeling scattered. If ignored, it can lead to physical symptoms like tremors, which may eventually evolve into a disease like Parkinson’s.
Ayurveda identifies thousands of such etiological factors, known as hetu (causes), purvarupa (early signs of disease), rupa (symptoms), and samprapti (pathogenesis). Over the years, I have emphasized to all my clients the importance of listening to their bodies and understanding their boundaries—knowing when to quit a job, end a relationship, or step away from a social circle. The body speaks the ultimate truth, and if we don’t listen to it, we cannot control it through sheer willpower.
3) Letting Go is One of the Best Lessons We Can Learn
From seasonal detoxes to panchakarma, Ayurveda teaches us the importance of letting go—of the past and of what no longer serves us—so that we can heal, especially our bodies. Every emotional impact has a physical effect, and by healing the body, we can also heal the mind. When someone feels sick, disturbed, or lost, it’s often a sign that it’s time to process and release what we’ve been holding on to.
In my 21 years of practice, I have never seen anyone who didn’t benefit from detoxification and the act of letting go. Holding on to bitter emotions, unhealthy relationships, or past trauma can create disease in the body.
4) Replace Judgment with Awareness
Judgment is part of human nature. We constantly judge others and question whether certain foods or habits are good for us. I remember when high-protein diets with no vegetables were all the rage, only for people to later discover the risks for those with kidney issues. Similarly, there have been endless debates about milk, egg whites vs. yolks, and cardio vs. weight training.
What Ayurveda teaches us about food is that no food is inherently good or bad; it all depends on how it’s used. In the same way, Ayurvedic psychology explains that mental states are temporary —movement is the mind’s nature. Instead of judging ourselves or others, we should observe these states and be aware of why we are behaving in a certain way.
For example, a vata psychological type may feel easily hurt and carry emotional pain, making it difficult for them to connect with others. A pitta type tends to hold onto anger and disappointment, driven by a need to prove their worth, which can lead to overextending themselves and damaging their health and relationships in the pursuit of success. A kapha type often takes on family problems that aren’t theirs to carry. The lighter we feel, the more we can detach from the past, learn from mistakes, and avoid beating ourselves up.
Never underestimate the energy of negative emotions, stress, and pressure—they can profoundly affect your life.
Ayurveda also discusses the proper use of meat, the importance of healthy sexuality, the three body types (doshas), and the three states of mind, all of which show life’s diversity. Judgment, as a survival skill, can help us in dangerous situations—for example, in the wild, if we hear a sound and don’t judge it as a potential threat, it could be fatal. However, it’s important to remember that judgment is a survival tool, not a tool for happy living, and should be used wisely.
5) Purpose (Dharma) is the Core of Living
We each have our own individual purpose, or svadharma, that reflects our unique capacities and aspirations in life. Yet this doesn’t divide us from others; rather, it connects us, as each person holds similar potential that we must honor.
– Vedacharya David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri)
We are all born on this planet to contribute, and when we find a purpose, we develop resilience. Consider a soldier going into battle—his purpose is to protect his country, and despite the struggles, he remains dedicated to this mission. In Ayurveda, it is written that money without knowledge can lead a person astray.
In my own purpose, I aim to educate the world about the beauty of Ayurveda and how it can contribute not only to health but also to a more confident, happier you. This brings me joy— seeing happier families, smiling faces, more fulfilled women, and better parents. I try to live by these principles. Of course, I am not perfect, but I remain aware! The beauty of dharma is that it not only enables us to serve others, but it also helps us unlock our true potential and brings infinite happiness as we align with our life’s work.