Ayurveda: Life, Health, and Longevity

by Robert E. Svoboda

Ayurveda addresses the well-being of the entire being - physical, psychological and spiritual - in an approach to health & healing that is as relevant to the modern world as it was to the ancient world from which it emerged. Herbs and minerals, nutrition and purification, affirmative ways of living are a few of the ways in which Ayurveda treats not just the ailment but the whole person, emphasizing prevention of disease to avoid the need for cure. The Ayurvedic principles and practices outlined in this book form a sound basis for accessing optimal health in balance.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Food

258 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

About the author

During and after my formal Ayurvedic training I was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotisha, Tantra and allied subjects by my mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He also owned thoroughbred race horses, and I served as his Authorized Racing Agent at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Bombay and Poona between 1975 and 1985.

Reviews

[Ayush Ghimire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives you perspective on all the questions we had for the food that we made at our homes.

[Ilana Milkes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sexist: read to understand how ancient Brahmans think

The information contained in this books teaches you about:
- how to switch the gender of the baby killing your daughter to enable male children to be born
- why and how women are not "allowed" to cook during their menstruation period
- how sex is still a taboo as if we were stuck in medieval India where Brahmans are the main source of authority
- how Brahmans are the main source of authority: the author mostly quotes male Brahmans as his only source of authority

Overall a book that perpetuates sexism, a society where there is no way to challenge male-only perspectives (because otherwise the "sacredness" of the practice is not valid) and a "stuck-in-time" approach to Ayurveda, as if humanity had no possibilities to progress and evolve. Read it to educate yourself about sexism in Ayurveda.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with Indian history and philosophy around the time when ayurveda emerged. Though a lot of information is thrown around as facts, there are definitely highly contested and disproved theories - for example, the constant references to aryan invaders who bought the vedas with them in 1500 B.C. How did a nomadic culture end up providing a complete civilizational treaties and lifestyle to the subcontinent? A lot of references to the Aryans is annoying.

A lot of information is mixed - some truth, some mixed with other philosophies and other facts. I would read this book with a pinch of salt.

Not for pure beginners of ayurveda. I would not recommend this book if you are looking for learning authentic ayurveda as a lot of information is mixed and it is difficult to sift through facts. Some of the concepts are clearly explained and help one connect the dots.

The author dabbles in ayurveda, tantra, yoga, astrology and everything else. How can 1 person learn and master all these vast fields in a decade and go back to home and write books and preach this beats me.

A lot of chapters talk about how important something is for Buddhism and then quote Caraka who was a Hindu. Several generalizations about modern India which may not be true or do not hold for all of India - I assume a westerner reading this book for the first time is going to assume that that's the way things are. Vedic philosophy, tantra and several other ideas are mish mashed with information about ayurveda.

By chapter 5, I was not really enjoying this book and mainly skimming through to get an overview.

[Tahnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the better books I've read on Ayurveda, and I really enjoy Svoboda's writing and teaching. It goes into more depth, and includes more of the cosmology and explanation of influences and variances across regions. Worth a read.

[Saket Patankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is definitely a good book.
I did not know all these details about Ayurveda before.

It just gets too technical at times.

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful summary of Ayurveda

For a foreign language writer , it is a brilliant work as getting to the depth of Indian sciences is never easy.

[Micaela Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buena informacion, creo que es un gran primer acercamiento del mundo ayurveda, capaz un poco cargado de conceptos, se hace pesado, però no deja de ser interesante

[Priyanka Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Robert Svoboda book lover, you will find this book too short on information and will end up wanting for more. In such a case, you have "प्रकृति" to grab.

[J. A. Yohancé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educationally inspiring.

[Kate Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

in a word: thorough. Not for the beginner for sure, but for those who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Ayurveda, it's great. I love the descriptions of different foods and their uses. This book also contains information that's rare to find in other Ayurveda books. Worth reading.

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting introduction to Ayurveda. Beautiful explanations of a holistic and wholistic philosophy. Really broadened my world view and added to my life philosophy that everything and everybody is connected.

[Joyce Faber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The impact of ideas on our body and well being. A fascinating examination of our models of reality.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great overview of Ayurvedic Medicine. Enjoyed it very much compared to the others I've read.

[Vemuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lucid approach and very systematic way to introduce ayurveda and its nuances to the un-initiated.