The Yoga of Recovery: Ayurvedic Healing
Beyond Addiction and Self-destructive Behaviors

By Durga

Durga is the founder of "Yoga of Recovery" and Director of Ayurveda Program at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California.

To understand how the Vedic sciences can help us overcome addictive and self-destructive behaviors let's look at various aspects of this disease and suggest ways in which each Vedic science can specifically help.

Dr David Frawley, in his book Ayurvedic Healing defines addictions as "a form of mental disorder. Occurs from too much tamas or inertia in the mind. Often caused by excess rajas or mental disturbance, which is compensated for by providing an artificial calm."

Tamas and Rajas are Sanskrit words and there are many English words that approximate their meaning. For instance Tamas can be described as darkness, ignorance, denial, delusion, etc. Rajas can be thought of as selfish action, self-seeking, and turbulence. One of the Vedic sciences is Vedic Astrology- Jyotish, or the science of light. The knowledge of it can offer help to those who have suffered with addictions, the symptoms of which are denial and darkness. Knowledge of your birth chart helps us understand our psychology, potential and purpose. Consider the fact that research shows a strong genetic link regarding addictions, for example, children of alcoholics have a 50% chance of becoming alcoholic themselves. Western science looks at our genetic code, our DNA, which is largely static. Vedic science considers our karmas, our genetic program as well as our external life situations, both of which contribute to our addictive tendencies. The chart shows our karmic code in its dynamic aspects, shining some light on life as we progress through all its stages and cycles of unfoldment.

Ayurveda is the science of life, the comprehensive healing branch or medical side of the system of yoga, dealing integrally with body, mind and spirit. It offers us practical tools for changing our own health, described by the Sanskrit word "Svastha" which means 'to be established in the self'. Ayurveda views each individual as a unique expression of the five elements, refined into 3 essential doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha - biological humors).

Knowledge of your Ayurvedic constitution can be of great benefit in recognizing your addictive behaviors and the needs and vulnerabilities that underlie them. It allows you to clearly see the areas in which you may become vulnerable when you are under stress and helps you determine what kinds of activities and changes in your lifestyle can best help restore balance in mind and body.

Ayurveda offers simple methods to maintain health and prevent disease through the use of such tools as proper daily and seasonal routines. Its emphasis is on establishing lifestyle routines that revitalize the body's systems and boost the immune system. This gives us a strong foundation in health to face the challenges and stresses of daily life without resorting/relapsing into old addictive behaviors.

"All addictions are part of a psychological pattern of dependency – to address, efforts must be made to contact the true Self that is independent and transcends environmental influences. For this the Yoga of Knowledge is indicated."   —David Frawley, Ayurvedic Healing

Yoga is a scientific approach to self-realization, which is union with the true Self. Yoga offers us tools for the development of consciousness. It affords us a thorough understanding of the different aspects of the mind (the emotions, intellect, sub-conscious, and ego). With this understanding of the mind, and the systematic practice of other Yogic disciplines, like meditation, chanting, and selfless service, comes the ability to raise the consciousness and therefore also rise above the grips of addiction.

The integration of these sciences of Light, Life and Self-Realization (Jyotish, Ayurveda and Yoga) offers us a sure path from self-destruction to Self-realization - one day at a time.

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