This book has been planned in four parts:
(i) Ayurvedic psychology or yogic mind-body medicine;
(ii) The energetics of consciousness;
(iii) Ayurvedic therapies for the mind;
(iv) Spiritual applications of Ayurvedic psychology: the paths of yoga.
What all these four parts discuss is ‘personality’. But ‘personality’ is a multivalent, subtle, and exotic term whose meaning has eluded some of the finest psychologists of the past. Dr.Frawley’s is an interesting, thought-provoking, and highly readable account of what the Indian system of Ayurveda has to say about ‘personality’.
That Ayurveda classifies constitutional types as vata, pitta and kapha is well known; but what this means is not often clear to the modern reader. A statement like ‘Vata governs movement and is responsible for the discharge of all impurities both voluntary and involuntary’ is crisp, clear, and readable. The same can be said about the three gunas. Not many know that sattva is intelligence and imparts balance, rajas is energy and causes imbalance, and tamas is substance and creates inertia. Dr Frawley has explained the Ayurvedic concepts and terms in the contemporary idiom – and there lies his credit.
As this book is mainly a guide to healing, it dwells at some length on etiology and treatment from the Ayurvedic viewpoint. The all-important role of ahara (diet) is well discussed. Ahara is not merely what we chew and eat but whatever we incorporate through our senses. This concept comes very near to the psychoanalytic concept of introjection/incorporation/interiorization. The book also has an interesting chapter on mantras. Mantra is a well-known word with an ill-known meaning. Anybody studying this book will get a clear idea of what mantra is and how it can affect our health, for better or for worse. Last, but not least, is Dr Frawley’s explanation of ashtanga-sadhana, the eight-fold practice of Raja Yoga. The concept of ‘meditation’ has been described with characteristic clarity.
Dr Frawley has given us another valuable book. One word of caution, though: The book discusses many ideas, and the reader has to proceed carefully and slowly. This volume needs to be read with both head and heart.
“AYURVEDA AND THE MIND” by Dr David Frawley
Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 41, U A Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi-110 007. e-mail: mlbd@vsnl.com. 2006. 346 pp. Rs.250/-
Reviewed by Professor Somnath Bhattacharyya, Former Head, Department of Psychology, Calcutta Uni9versity
Courtesy: Prabuddha Bharata, December 2007
(i) Ayurvedic psychology or yogic mind-body medicine;
(ii) The energetics of consciousness;
(iii) Ayurvedic therapies for the mind;
(iv) Spiritual applications of Ayurvedic psychology: the paths of yoga.
What all these four parts discuss is ‘personality’. But ‘personality’ is a multivalent, subtle, and exotic term whose meaning has eluded some of the finest psychologists of the past. Dr.Frawley’s is an interesting, thought-provoking, and highly readable account of what the Indian system of Ayurveda has to say about ‘personality’.
That Ayurveda classifies constitutional types as vata, pitta and kapha is well known; but what this means is not often clear to the modern reader. A statement like ‘Vata governs movement and is responsible for the discharge of all impurities both voluntary and involuntary’ is crisp, clear, and readable. The same can be said about the three gunas. Not many know that sattva is intelligence and imparts balance, rajas is energy and causes imbalance, and tamas is substance and creates inertia. Dr Frawley has explained the Ayurvedic concepts and terms in the contemporary idiom – and there lies his credit.
As this book is mainly a guide to healing, it dwells at some length on etiology and treatment from the Ayurvedic viewpoint. The all-important role of ahara (diet) is well discussed. Ahara is not merely what we chew and eat but whatever we incorporate through our senses. This concept comes very near to the psychoanalytic concept of introjection/incorporation/interiorization. The book also has an interesting chapter on mantras. Mantra is a well-known word with an ill-known meaning. Anybody studying this book will get a clear idea of what mantra is and how it can affect our health, for better or for worse. Last, but not least, is Dr Frawley’s explanation of ashtanga-sadhana, the eight-fold practice of Raja Yoga. The concept of ‘meditation’ has been described with characteristic clarity.
Dr Frawley has given us another valuable book. One word of caution, though: The book discusses many ideas, and the reader has to proceed carefully and slowly. This volume needs to be read with both head and heart.
“AYURVEDA AND THE MIND” by Dr David Frawley
Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 41, U A Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi-110 007. e-mail: mlbd@vsnl.com. 2006. 346 pp. Rs.250/-
Reviewed by Professor Somnath Bhattacharyya, Former Head, Department of Psychology, Calcutta Uni9versity
Courtesy: Prabuddha Bharata, December 2007
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