Svastha: Wellbeing in Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the Vedic science of life for all living beings, defines health and wellbeing in terms of Svastha. Svastha means abiding (stha) in one’s own Self (Sva). Yet to understand it, we must recognize that this Vedic abiding in our own nature reflects the Vedic view of the universe, which is very different than the outer worldview most of us follow today.

Svastha implies living in harmony with the world of nature (Prakriti), but also in harmony with our own inner nature. This means aligning our body, prana, senses and mind with the Self or Atman within. Such a definition includes physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing, not just health in the modern medical sense. This Self is the very core of who we are and constitutes the underlying energy and consciousness behind the entire cosmos.

As Ayurveda is a branch of the Vedas, an Upaveda, this definition of wellbeing applies to all the Vedic Sciences including Yoga and Vedanta, and the principles of Vedic living overall, as discussed in the Yamas and Niyamas of the Yoga Sutras. The pursuit of Self-realization is the ultimate goal of life for all living beings and the source of the highest wellbeing and happiness for all. It is called Moksha or the ultimate freedom from sorrow. This inner wellbeing is what Vedic Counseling teaches us to manifest.

Wellbeing and Self-realization

This Ayurvedic definition of wellbeing doesn’t mean merely  being free of external pathogens or physical diseases, but the optimal use of our bodies as expressions of a deeper awareness. It includes psychological wellbeing but as rooted in an inner peace, not the assertion of the separate self or ego. It is not the fulfillment of our personal desires, which are ultimately endless. It is not an outer prosperity, achievement or recognition, though it does not necessarily exclude these. It is not an external definition of wellbeing at all, but puts emphasis on an unqualified internal wellbeing as the basis of outer wellbeing.

Svastha means that wellbeing is inherent within us and is the very consciousness behind all of life. Such wellbeing is not a state to be achieved, but a state to be recognized within ourselves and in nature as a whole. Ultimate wellbeing is the wellness of Being, the bliss or Ananda inherent in Being (Sat) and Consciousness (Chit) that is all-pervasive and the very basis of our own Self-awareness, knowing which constitutes Self-realization.

What is the Root of Suffering?

One may then ask, if wellbeing is so central and all-pervasive, why is it that most people don’t have or can’t sustain it? If everything is rooted in an inner wellbeing, why do we suffer so much from pain and  so many diseases of the body, and from sorrow, fear, grief, anger, and many other afflictions of the mind? The answer to this question can be found in understanding the different aspects of our nature as embodied creatures and their limitations.

At a physical level, we can create and sustain wellbeing to some degree, but mere physical wellbeing is limited by disease and death inherent in our mortal existence. At a psychological level, we can similarly create and sustain wellbeing to some degree, but the mind is inherently susceptible to restless thoughts and disturbed emotions of the ego.

We fail to discover this ultimate inner wellbeing of Consciousness because we are identified with body and mind and their limitations, and not truly Self-aware. We are caught in a shadow of our inner nature and don’t really know who we truly are. This ignorance or not-knowing our inner Self is the root of all sorrow, and causes wrong usage of the body and mind as well.

Discovery of Ultimate Inner Wellbeing

To find this ultimate inner wellbeing, we must first let go of any mere external definition of who we are or what will bring us happiness. This means no longer being immersed in the body or mind or external world as our true reality and realm of fulfillment. As long as we define wellbeing externally, it must elude us because it is apart from ourselves and dependent upon outer circumstances that are ever changing. Yet when we learn to contact wellbeing internally, that internal wellbeing can bring greater wellbeing, peace and happiness to body, mind and to our social interactions as well. Such inner wellbeing is the basis of all deeper healing energies and aids in immunity and rejuvenation overall for body and mind.

For true wellbeing or Svastha, we must learn how to come to rest in our own inner nature in harmony with the world of nature overall, embracing the whole of life and the entire universe. While such an inner letting go does not require any outer action or expenditure, it does require a fundamental change of consciousness within us, from regarding the outer time bound world as real to abiding in our inner Self-nature as the reality.

This change of consciousness will also change our mode of action in the outer world, which will become compassionate and responsible in all that we do. It will change our way of caring for our own bodies and minds as well, respecting the forces of nature that sustain them, and not simply using them for personal gratification. It is the right attitude for truly applying Ayurveda, Yoga or Vedanta and their various practices.

Wellbeing is your true nature extending to the highest Ananda. Outer wellness, enjoyment and happiness is but a reflection of this. Go directly to the source of wellbeing or Svastha within yourself. Then you can experience happiness and contentment in all that you do or express through body and mind.