NAMAH hosted a four-part online interactive course on March 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2025, led by the renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Rammanohar, exploring mental health through Ayurveda’s holistic lens. This series, rich in profound Ayurvedic wisdom, presented multiple easy-to-understand frameworks. Participants actively engaged all through with their insightful queries and reflections as the sessions illuminated Ayurvedic pathways to unlocking spiritual potential and restoring balance across all dimensions of life for achieving complete lifelong well-being. Day-wise progression was as follows:
Day 1: Explored Ayurveda's view on mental health versus modern medicine, emphasising life-death interconnectedness, mental well-being in ageing, and the global mental health crisis.
Day 2: Explored Ayurveda's mental health framework, highlighting the dynamic interplay of Trigunas and Tridoshas in shaping mental states, the cultivation of Prajna for clarity, and the emergence of Maitri and Karunya as markers of higher well-being within the mind-body continuum.
Day 3: Explored Prakriti's role in mental well-being, the mind as disease's root and alignment with the natural rhythms via Dincharyā, Ritucharyā, and Muhurutham, while examining the gut-brain connection and Shirodhara therapy.
Day 4: Connected Ayurvedic wisdom with modern science for holistic mental health, emphasising personalised care based on Prakriti assessment, pre-conception influences, and described a practical self-assessment framework.
A few key highlights that emerged are as follows:
- Offered Ayurveda as a sacred alternative to medication-dependent mental health treatments.
- Integrated physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions through a truly holistic perspective.
- Focused on cultivating positive mental health rather than merely treating illnesses.
- Challenged conventional views of ageing by highlighting continued mental growth- potential throughout life.
- Established individual Prakriti as the foundation for personalised wellness strategies which include diet, lifestyle and thought-engineering.
- Viewed mental health through consciousness, Trigunas/Tridoshas balance and spiritual principles from Indian traditions.
The Ayurvedic system was demonstrated to closely align with modern scientific findings.
- Ayurveda’s Mind-body interconnection corresponds with the modern PNEI axis, linking psychological and physical health
- Ayurveda's early recognition of the gut-mind connection (Koṣṭha) finds resonance with modern gut-brain axis research
- Ayurvedic practices of Dincharyā, Ritucharyā and Muhurutham parallel chronobiology's findings on circadian rhythms
- Ayurvedic concept of Ananda (bliss) mirrors the discovery of Anandamide, with Ayurvedic practices supporting balanced neuro-chemical regulation
- Scientific research confirms that Ayurvedic therapies like Shirodhara activate the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing measurable relaxation
The series concluded with participants receiving a practical, easy-to-use Ayurvedic self-assessment framework for personalised Dosha Prakriti management. By bridging ancient wisdom with modern science and emphasising mind-body interconnectedness, it firmly positioned Ayurveda as a timeless integrated solution for holistic mental well-being and spiritual growth.
