Schools of the Future

"The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence"- Sri Rabindranath Tagore

"Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested all your life. We must have life-building, man-making and character-making assimilation of ideas." Swami Vivekananda

The Oxford English Dictionary have defined life as ceaseless change till death. "Anything that does not change does not come under the definition of science," wrote a federal judge in the USA while delivering his judgement in a dispute between the Creationists and Scientists.

Human life history is the story of the evolution of this universe itself. If one wants to understand the nature one wants to understand human nature which is a minuscule of this universe itself.

We are obsessed with science today. The word science brings goose bumps on many of us. There are many schools which still follows certain set paths and syllabus without any change to the same. Of course there have been some cosmetic changes with the schools becoming big corporate businesses. However the philosophy of feeding the young creative minds with useless dead information seems to be our goal. Rote learning for getting grades is the order of the day. Grades should make wealthy careers at the end of the day is the philosophy accepted by majority of the parents as also the powers that be in the educational system, and some of the powerful industrial honchos who see nothing wrong in education being a business.

The vital part of education, which is to try and make healthy minds is all but lost in this milieu. 

The first life came as  a single cell which could do all that you and I can do today, breathe, eat, excrete, think and work. That stage went on for more than a trillion and half years when these single cell individuals wisely thought that it is better to get together as a colony to work more efficiently with least expense.

They had a fertile brain in their cell wall (membrane), called the membrain by a famous cell biologist, Bruce Lipton. They could sense their environment through antennae in their cell walls, their brain, called  Integral. Membrane Proteins (IMPs). Figuratively life gets born then like your actors on the TV Screen. When that antennae does not get message (when you switch off the TV) life ebbs out just as the TV actor dies when the switch goes off. The consciousness gets into, maybe another cell immediately after that-life again. So death is only a part of life and not it's end

Why did the single free floating cell come together then? They realised that they are better off and stronger if they came together in larger groups as they could expand their individual consciousnesses many fold by increasing the IMPs exponentially! How wise of them! As time passed they realised that each one of them need not do all the work that needs to be done, they could share their responsibilities. Some cell groups inside the body became what we call today organs doing specific tasks more efficiently. But they did not lose sight of the fact that they were all functionally identical even when they were morphologically different to fit that organ e.g, brain looking after overseeing the total function of locomotion etc. in this new role they found that they could care for others better, his evolved  the ohilosophy of spirituality - sharing and caring. This could be seen under the electron microscope in disease conditions.

In a fresh wound site RBC (red blood cells) in the clot could gradually change to pluripotent stem cells to heal the wound eventually! Same cells but different work. These endogenous stem cells are our best do tors in all disease states. 

Education, therefore, should teach the young mind that it is in Sharing and caring that the world can go on for good.

Whereas the current competitive system of education puts negative thoughts of greed hatred, jealousy, anger and pride into that innocent, creative, loving and compassionate mind of a child, this is later on amplified in their work and life. Which can thus create a world devoid of compassion, love, care and share.

Scientific studies have shown that if students in a class with varied levels of intelligence could be taught the principles of collective compassionate sharing efforts, they all get high grades in their examination and their lives in the future! this is conducive to good health as well since body cells enjoy working together anyway. Health is defined as " enthusiasm to work and enthusiasm to be compassionate."those who do not have either or both of those are really sick! In that definition we could classify the whole society is becoming sick today. 

I guess rest of what needs to be done... One could only guess...

 
                                                                                                   Compiled from BVB Journa;

Stress Management

Stress is a natural physiological and physiological effort to cope up with the external and internal stimuli, which produce a strain or disequilibrium. Every single human being feels stressed out by either or all of these factors in their life like their lifestyle, work, dietary habits etc at different stages of their life. Stress have been a part of life for every living being but we are not bothered about every living being but from primitive human being to the present day human beings.

Eustress and distress are the two kinds of stress one could be affected with. Eustress is experienced while involved in entertainments, sports, sex and other hobbies. In Eustress we experience a state of joy at the end of consciously happening events. This is considered as healthy and necessary to fight against distress or Stress as we commonly know.

When a stressful situation occurs without our control without our control and continues for more time or occurs repeatedly, it causes discomfort to the organs or mind. This is termed as distress. They are classified into two- Acute distress and Chronic distress. 

Acute distress.

Is caused due to severe mental shock followed by an incidence like motor accident, fire, physical assault, rape and sudden discovery of severe illness, death of spouse or close relatives, major loss of memory etc. acute stress disorders are lasting from as short as 2 days to at the most 4 weeks. Depending upon the severity and vulnerability of the person this may prolong and cause other ailments. They are commonly classified as Post. Traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

The core symptoms of an acute stree are Anxiety and Depression, other symptoms include feeling of numbness, shock, insomnia, restlessness, poor concentration and physical symptoms of autonomic arousal.

Chronic Stress

Our fast life, demanding jobs, family environment, and social environment create a number of situations that cause distress. The main causes are 

Work overload,  Time over speed/deadlines. Information (mostly negative), Illness (over anxiety), Desire (over ambition), Relationships

Rheumatoid Arthrtis some common dietary supplements

For people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, you know that the joint pain and body aches that characterize the disease can make daily life difficult. Advanced medications, such as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, are making the illness more manageable than ever before, but an often overlooked component in your rheumatoid arthritis treatment plan could be your diet. In fact, a growing volume of research is showing that certain foods can play a role in easing pain and soreness. Here's the latest information on eating to beat RA.

Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are rich in a plant-based form of omega-3s and might yield results for inflammation and joint pain that are similar to those from eating fatty fish or krill oil. "Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are rich in alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that may be helpful for inflammatory diseases like arthritis," says Fabrizio Mancini, DC, a chiropractor and author of The Power of Self-Healing. To help your body get the most nutrients from flaxseeds for rheumatoid arthritis, use them ground rather than whole. "Sprinkle a few tablespoons on your cereal in the morning or include them in a smoothie," he suggests. "You can also use them in baked goods."

 

Turmeric

What gives curry powder its characteristic golden yellow color? It's turmeric root, used in a variety of Indian and Asian dishes. "One of the most healing plants in the world is the herb turmeric," says Dr. Mancini. "It contains an active compound called curcumin, which appears to have healing powers for a wide range of conditions, like arthritis. Taking curcumin may improve joint stiffness, swelling, and pain."

 

Pomegranate

These trendy fruits have actually been cultivated since ancient times, but there's been a recent flurry of interest in their health benefits. Though pomegranate has not been adequately tested in humans as a treatement for RA. a recent study found that mice who received an extract of pomegranate in supplement form had less inflammation and less deterioration of their joints than mice that did not take the supplement. "Pomegranate juice has been touted for some time as an alternative treatment for arthritis," says Mancini. "While it is certainly no cure, there appears to be a real benefit in reducing inflammation, and that may translate into less pain for some arthritis patients."

 

Krill Oil

Studies have long shown the anti-inflammatory activity of omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in cold-water fish such as salmon, as well as their possible role as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Krill oil, which comes from a tiny crustacean similar to shrimp, is a relatively new supplement that is similar to fish oil, but with a higher concentration of omega-3s. A recent study of 90 people, some with rheumatoid arthritis, found that taking 300 milligrams of krill oil daily reduced pain and stiffness and improved function.

 

Cherry Juice

Anecdotally, cherry juice has been used as a treatment for gout related pain for decades. Though sample sizes are small, studies are also revealing that this juice might help with other types of joint pain and inflammation as well, including that caused by rheumatoid arthritis. “Tart cherries have higher levels of anthocyanin, a phytonutrient and antioxidant, than sweet cherries and other fruits, making them power berries to reduce inflammation and pain, improve recovery time after strenuous activity, and possibly even aid in sleep,” Mancini says.

 

Ginger

This spicy root can be ground up or shredded to make a tea or mixed into dishes for an interesting flavor — and certainly one of the tastiest rheumatoid arthritis treatments. As per Ayurvedic concepts ginger just has an anti-inflammatory action which might be beneficial to some people with joint pain related to rheumatoid arthritis. As per the Ayurvedic concepts dried ginger water intake regularly tends to relieve the symptoms of RA and other joint related pains

Green Tea

The benefits of green tea, which, unlike black tea, is made from unfermented leaves, have been touted for centuries, and studies have looked at its positive effects on health conditions, from dental cavities to cancer. Drinking it may also help ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Of all the teas, the green variety has the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which give it inflammation-fighting strength, says Dr. Wei.

Compiled from

Healthy Living

Pray to shed miseries

If you want to shed your miseries, learn to sit silently and pray solemnly. Praying is a proven method to attain peace and wish-fulfillment. It is being used as a meditative tool the world over, for many thousand years, in nearly every religious tradition. "What things so ever ever ye desire, when you pray, believe that ye recieve them, and ye shall have them", says holy bible (Mark 11:24).

Prayer is a stimulant to creative ideas that help in finding solutions to our problems. Insight, direction amd illumination are divinely given to people who habitually resort to prayer. They feel better, do better, sleep better and become better. Prayer helps in harmonious functioning of their body and soul.

Chanting of mantras, hymns, ritualistic veneration in temples, mosques, churches and synagogues or repeating the name of god or goddess reverentially through the beads of a rosary are all forms of prayer

Though the premise, reasons, language, formulae and contents of prayers differ differ widely from religion to religion yet the aim in all of them is the same to entreat God to redress the devotee's grievances or seek forgiveness for sins already committed.

A prayer may be in prose or in verse, a silent mental request or a group entreat.

Do not assume, even for a minute that only stereotyped Sanskrit, Latin or Arabic phrases are fit for prayers to be responded by the almighty. You may select to pray in your own language. God understands all the languages.

The Science of Sun Worship

In ancient Vedic literatures, Sun is called the soul of our world. We cannot imagine even a single day without his presence. In a society replete with customes and beliefs, is this just faith-based or was there a more scientific meaning behind Worshipping the Sun

Sun worship commenced with the rising of the sun when the ancestors would offer water in a 'Lota' (A round copper utensil with wide edge). The pouring of water would create a flowing film, creating the seven colours of the spectrum through refraction by which the sun would be gazed at indirectly.

People who follow the Vedic way of life believe this is helpful to eyes, vitalises the body & purifies the mind.

The body is made up of the five elements: Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Teja), Air (Vaayu), Space/Ether (Aakash). It is believed proper balance of these five elements helps keep the body healthy, the sun being one of them. The solar rays consists of seven colours of the visible spectrum which are equally vital to the seven chakras of the body.

Rigveda states the sun is an energy source for all living beings. The Gayatri Mantra is chanted to Surya deva to remove ignorance & strengthen the mind. The sun is symbol of self god. As the self god illuminates the mind, the intellect & the body, sun illuminates the world.

Vedas also state that water offered to the sunin the evening converts the drops of water to the stones taht cause death to the demons. For humans, demons are like typhoid, TB, Pneumonia etc. When a devotee takes water in his hands while standing in front of or facing the sun & drops water on the ground, the sun's rays fall from the head to the feet of the devotee in a uniform flow. This water is heated by sun's rays and its colour permeates every part of the body.

Modern science now have validated the importance of solar rays on the human body. Many people living in the cold cliatic countries suffer from SAD (Seasonal affective Disorder) during winter. Some even going for solar therapies to alleviate moodiness & depression. Solar therapy mainly from an alternative source, is also used to treat palliation of disease, usually from dermatological disorders. It also imporves the blood circulation, balances metabolism & restores the function of many body systems. Exposure to the sun also promotes the development of the pineal gland hormone-Melatonin, the amount of which is influenced by the ageing process 

Svedana- Sudation

Svedana in Vedic Age

There has been attempts dealing with various methods to avert pain ever since mankind was civilised. Fomentation and Sudation are ancient methods to ward off pain or at least lessen the suffering due to pain.Application of heat by various methods at a diseased site or th

Sudation according to Ayurveda is subdivided to four:

•  Taapa (Application of dry heat)

• Upanaaha (Poultice, Stupe)

• Uushma (Steam fomentation)

• Drava (Heat transmitted through liquids)

Sudation or fomentation induces a thermal challenge in the body, the event is a thermal discomfort, a thermal eustress. This heat precipitates a decrease in cardiac output which sends messages to medullary cerebro vascular control centre which in turn effect muscle and skin vasoconstriction.  This increases the internal circulation by which the cardiac output is optimised. Thermal comfort rests primarily upon the following six factors- Air velocity, Air humidity, Mean radiant heat, Metabolism, Insulation and Air temperature. These thermal comfort factors are individually or severally manipulated by svedana to effect thermal eustress.

The primary requirement of Svedana (Sudation) is to alleviate pain and stiffness. However, in practice, both Snehana by external means and Svedana are employed together in conjunction with light to firm massage in procedures like Abhyanga, Elakizhi etc. Sneha-Sweda is employed in tandem  with massage in diverse conditions.

Swedana can also be considered as a means of removing toxins from the body, the entire wastes to be eliminated may be divided to two: Water-Soluble and Fat-Soluble, by resorting to sudation water soluble wastes of the body (especially in Amavastha) are dissolved in water (Extra cellular body fluids), propelled by the heat and brought to the nearest port of elimination. In the process of elimination of water soluble wastes, the role of unction is much less appreciated. On the contrary, unction may be detromental as it may prevent dissolution of water-soluble wastes. In the case of fat-soluble wastes on the other hand, Sneha dissolves the wastes in fat medium, these are again propelled by sweda to the nearest port of elimination. Dissolution of wastes and toxins in fat is slower, hence it is not a once-for-all programme and has to be repeated daily till the desired effects are achieved. This is another reason for the therapeutic strategy of 7-14 and 21 days in the Abhyanga and Poultice massage practices.

Accurate scientific data regarding the analgesic effect of massage when done along with Sneha and Sveda are still lacking. Nevertheless, ongoing studies with regards to the pain pathways, neurotransmitters like Substance-P, and Glutamate, Analgesia pathway, Gate control theory (Projected by Patrick Wall Gate et al., 1965) and its subsequent implications in the release of endogenous pain relievers etc, are to be revisited in the backdrop of massage with Sneha-Sveda. The efficiency of human skin as the most sensitive 'Touch Screen' working by 'Touch-flow softwares' is a million times more sophisticated than the present day 'Resistive' and 'Capacitive' touch screens or 'Displax Skin' screens involving the most advanced nano-wire technology on polymer films.

Compiled from Ashtanga Hrudaya 

(Comments Dr. TSK)

Sneha- Fats, Oils

Ayurveda gives much importance to Fats both as food and as medicine. It is considered as the foremost medicine for ,  (Sesame Oil) and Pitta (Ghee). It can also be used in conditions where kapha is predominant in processed form with herbs which acts against Kapha.

According to Ayurveda: "Snehasaaro Ayam Purusha:"-meaning the human body is rich in fats.

No biochemical or any cell function would ever occur in the body in the absence of fats and hence, they are necessary for the very existence of life. In order to remove accumulated wastes also, fats are used-to dissolve the wastes and toxins in it and aided with the help of increased temperature of sudation, to melt and transport them to the nearest port of GI tract and thus in eliminating them. The ability to dissolve these wastes are specific to fats. Once the purification is over, all the procedures done like rejuvenative procedures or even palliative medicines will get many fold efficacy, as all the pathways are open.

As we all know rather should know that many vitamins are fat soluble, many of the biochemical reactions happen in our body with the help or mediated by fats; though for energy yield, our body resorts to carbohydrate metabolism. The functions of nervous system are primarily based on fats. recent research have shown light on the fact that herbal extracts acting on the nervous system can influence the brain, only if they are administered through a fat medium. Fats also convey medicinal action of some preparations to the cardiac muscle group. Hence fats are an excellent vehicle to drugs, which can otherwise have no access to some of the tissues of the body, if given without fats.

Fats can be given in therapeutic dosage, or as food. It can be used as it is or can be processed with suitable medicines. Besides these versatile uses, it acts as a preparatory base before all eliminatory procedures, in conjunction with sudation. It acts as a solvent to absorb the deranged dosha's with the toxins inherent in them, and to transport them to the GI tract, with the help of sudation, for elimination.

Oils and Fats-When used externally?

The physico-chemical properties of a drug in a topical dosage form affect that drug's trans-dermal delivery (per-cutaneous) absorption and topical bio-availability. The molecules of the formulation, after penetrating through the stratum corneum and thence, into viable epidermis and dermis, produces its characteristic pharmacological response through receptors even before the blood or lymph circulation removes it, in which case it may set in a cascade of systemic effects. 

Though the horny layer of the skin is impermeable to most chemicals contributing the rate limiting step in trans-dermal absorption because of its high diffusional resistance, providing a small fractional area of 0.1% only as permeable appendageal shunt route, it is not an efficient heat insulator- the penetration rate of material through human skin can change tenfold for a large temperature variation, as the diffusion coefficient varies according to temperature changes. Besides the appendageal shunt route, the drug molecule may penetrate through the hair follicles and sebaceous glands or through the sweat ducts also. Various physicochemical factors other than temperature also seem to be involved like skin hydration (water opens up the compact part of the horny layer), pH etc., not forgetting the roles of drug concentration, molecular size and shape, diffusion co-efficient etc. The methods of enhancing bio-availability of trans-dermal drug application recently followed, like ultrasound (phonophoresis) and electrical driving of charged molecules (iontophoresis) is replaced in Ayurveda by the increased temperature that induces sudation, hydration through enhanced sweating and by massage for effecting a manual type of iontophoresis. Even external use of Sneha alone slightly increase body temperature, which in turn favours production of sweat by sweat glands. Though this sweat is not excreted at the moment because of partial closure of sweat pores by the film of fat, subsequent application of heat releases the barricade of fat to effect full fledged sudation. This helps increase metabolism of the drug and of the local tissue. This is the importance of Sneha used in conjunction with Sweda in Ayurveda.

It provides both hydration and temperature increase. Application of a dry powder onto the skin in room temprature without massage would not effect any systemic changes, if the powder is not allergic to the patient. Thus Ayurveda has its own concept of a rich tradition of transdermal therapeutic system, it is convenient, effective, eliminates variables that influence gut absorption, it enters the systemic circulation directly, by passing the 'first-pass' effect of enzymes in the gut and the liver; it provides a controlled, constant drug administration, displaying a single pharmacological effect, it is patient compliant as it eliminatesthe effect of taste or gastric irritations. Little wonder that when the world still in experimental stages by introducing topically acting counterirritants, NSAIDS, Steroids and transdermal clinical patches of oestradiol, clonidine, nitroglycerine, testosterone etc. 

Ayurveda has addressed transdermal use of medicines in versatile conditions from neurological affections to rheumatological condtions and also skin ailments in various modes and methods, around more than 5000 years ago. Snehana done externally is only one example.

Types of Snehana: Abhyanga (Full body massage), Pizhichil (Local or Full body flow of the oil), Sirodhara, Elakizhi etc are some of the examples of external snehana.

Courtesy:

Commentary from 

Ashtanga Hrudaya

Prof. Dr. T Sreekumar BAMS MD. 

HoD, Dept of Kriya Sareera, Physiology

Disclaimer: This information is based on Ayurvedic scriptures. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, this should not be used for any self diagnosis or treatments. Please do contact your GP for any impending conditions