Is it Time to Revive Traditional Practices for Healing
>> Saturday, March 12, 2011 –
Healing
In each society and culture there are several traditions and practices which have been used for thousands of years and which had healing abilities. As the world is becoming more and more homogeneous several of these practices are being lost. Many of the youth now a days regard these practices to be out of date and unfashionable and do not want to continue with them.
Many of the traditional practices did not have any scientific explanation as such but people learned them by following previous generations. Those practices came naturally to them. Because of influence of modern education these practices are being lost. The reason for this is the education system which is being followed does not originate where it is being imparted. Therefore the values are not understood and thought to be useless and superstitious.
We should however keep in mind that many of the practices which were followed were not presented as healing practices though they had great health benefits.
Take for example, applying sandalwood paste on forehead in religious ceremonies in many communities. Sandalwood has the ability to cool the mind and head and it is great for migraine relief. Similarly there is a tradition of nasya in ayurveda and it is practiced by millions of people still in India. In this practice before taking bath two drops of mustard oil is inhaled through the nostrils. This practice is an excellent cure for sinus infection.
Similarly if you put one or two drops of mustard oil in the ears, you will not have hearing problems even in old age. Many modern people may abhor this practice but those who follow this are living examples of how effective it is.
Similarly there are restriction on diet also. People are supposed to eat certain food only after certain date or to avoid them during certain periods. For example Sesame seed is used to make several delicacies in the winters. The reason is sesame seed warms up the body and in the winters it can provide energy to our bodies. Many food may harm your body in certain seasons and hence they are prohibited during those times.
In ayurveda it has been told that combination of fish and milk is extremely bad for skin and hence it should be avoided.
Similarly many yogic practices such as simple pranayama were part of daily routine in Indians as part of daily worship. This helped them to remain spiritual and also avoided many diseases. Similar to these, there are hundreds of practices in each community in the world which were created by wise men of the society for the benefit of people of that region.
I think it is time to investigate each tradition more thoroughly, find out the benefits and put forward the findings to people in general. This way we can prevent the loss of individual traditions and world would be richer for a long time.
.
Many of the traditional practices did not have any scientific explanation as such but people learned them by following previous generations. Those practices came naturally to them. Because of influence of modern education these practices are being lost. The reason for this is the education system which is being followed does not originate where it is being imparted. Therefore the values are not understood and thought to be useless and superstitious.
We should however keep in mind that many of the practices which were followed were not presented as healing practices though they had great health benefits.
Take for example, applying sandalwood paste on forehead in religious ceremonies in many communities. Sandalwood has the ability to cool the mind and head and it is great for migraine relief. Similarly there is a tradition of nasya in ayurveda and it is practiced by millions of people still in India. In this practice before taking bath two drops of mustard oil is inhaled through the nostrils. This practice is an excellent cure for sinus infection.
Similarly if you put one or two drops of mustard oil in the ears, you will not have hearing problems even in old age. Many modern people may abhor this practice but those who follow this are living examples of how effective it is.
Similarly there are restriction on diet also. People are supposed to eat certain food only after certain date or to avoid them during certain periods. For example Sesame seed is used to make several delicacies in the winters. The reason is sesame seed warms up the body and in the winters it can provide energy to our bodies. Many food may harm your body in certain seasons and hence they are prohibited during those times.
In ayurveda it has been told that combination of fish and milk is extremely bad for skin and hence it should be avoided.
Similarly many yogic practices such as simple pranayama were part of daily routine in Indians as part of daily worship. This helped them to remain spiritual and also avoided many diseases. Similar to these, there are hundreds of practices in each community in the world which were created by wise men of the society for the benefit of people of that region.
I think it is time to investigate each tradition more thoroughly, find out the benefits and put forward the findings to people in general. This way we can prevent the loss of individual traditions and world would be richer for a long time.
.
