About the Book:

Ayurveda, Secrets of Healing is a seminal work, the basis of which is deeply rooted in the scriptural knowledge behind Ayurveda. Maya Tiwari demonstrates in meticulous detail the power of our own nature-based memories as the primal force of human healing. She introduces the ancient secrets of sadhanas, i.e. spiritual practices, therapies, remedies, diet and natural biorhythms - which, when applied, awaken the cognitive memories necessary to achieve our deepest personal healing.

Secrets of Healing is the most complete offering of the original cleansing and rejuvenative therapies, Pancha Karma, first taught and practiced by the ancient Vedic seers.

In the definitive work, Maya Tiwari is the first author to reveal these sophisticated and timeless healing processes in a way which is both comprehensive and readily adaptable to modern western culture.

About the Author:

Over twenty years ago, Maya Tiwari healed herself of cancer through her fortitude and spiritual strength. As a result, she re-directed her life, beginning her holistic studies in Oriental medicine. She later returned to her roots in the Vedas and was carefully tutored by Swami Dayananda, one of India's few living masters of the traditional teaching of Vedanta and Sanskrit. She has been trained to preserve the precious oral teachings of the most ancient spiritual heritage, the Vedas - and has since devoted her life to the study and teaching of Ayurveda and Vedanta.

In 1992, Maya Tiwari was initiated by her teacher as a brahmacarini, one whose life is committed to the study of the Vedas. Being a traditional Vedic monk, Bri. Maya lives a simple life in Asheville, North Carolina, and teaches with love and selflessness the ancient wisdom of sadhanas, the art of consciously participating in the wholesome activities of nature. Over the years she has assisted hundreds of cancer patients, and more recently AIDS patients, through their "dark night of the soul" into good health.

Bri. Maya co-authored Diet for Natural Beauty with Aveline Kushi and has written the current best-selling Ayurveda: A Life of Balance, the definitive work on Ayurvedic nutrition.

CONTENTS

Foreword
Acknowledgments
Author's Introduction
Introduction to Ayurveda

SECTION I: AYURVEDIC AND COSMIC ANATOMY

Our Cosmic Begining

Chapter One: Ayurvedic Anatomy

Language of the Doshas
Dhatus: Bodily Tissues
The Subtle Body
Ayurvedic Body Types

Chapter Two: Cosmic Anatomy

Wisdom and Ego: Buddhi and Ahamkara
Three Phases of Memory

SECTION II: SEASONAL INFLUENCES ON AYURVEDIC THERAPIES
Chapter Three: The Six Seasons

Northern and Southern Movements of the Sun
Daily and Seasonal Cycles
Seasonal Cleansing Therapies for Each Dosha
Relationship Between the Doshas and the Seasons

SECTION III: AYURVEDIC REJUVENATIVE SADHANAS
Chapter Four: Ayurvedic Massage Therapy: Abhyanga

The Marma Points: Charting the Course for Abhyanga
Observances and Preparations for Abhyanga Therapy
The Practice of Abhyanga Therapies
Self Application of Foot Massage
Abhyanga Formulas
Preliminary Fomentation Treatment

Chapter Five: Ayurvedic Love Therapy: Snehana

Observances Before Snehana Therapy
Application of Snehana Therapies
Snehana Therapies for the Head
Routine Cleansing of the Senses
Nasya Therapy: Nasal Insufflation

Chapter Six: Ayurvedic Fomentation Therapy: Svedana

Observances Before Svedana Therapy
Application of Svedana Therapies
Ayurvedic Steam Therapies
Ayurvedic Earth Sauna Therapies

SECTION IV: AYURVEDIC CLEANSING THERAPIES: PANCHA KARMA
Chapter Seven: Introducing Pancha Karma
Shodhana: The Main Actions of Pancha Karma

Emesis Therapy: Vamana
Purgation Therapy: Virechana
Enema Therapy: Anuvasana and Nirutha Vasti
Douching Therapy: Uttara Vasti

SECTION V: AYURVEDIC HEALING DIET AND ACTIVITIES
Chapter Eight: The Healing Diet

Food and Memory: The First Food
The Animal Is Not Our Food
Pancha Karma Healing Diet
Sattvic Diet for Pitta and Vata Types
Energizing Diet for Kapha Types

Chapter Nine: The Healing Activities

During and After Pancha Karma
Daily Rituals
Ablutions for the Practitioner
Ablutions for the Subject
Ablutions for the Mind and Heart: The Power of Prayer
Pranayama: Breathing Practices
Observations During Home Application Treatment
The Forgotten Dharma - Sexuality

Afterword: Daily Deity Rules

SECTION VI: APPENDICES & GLOSSARIES

Appendix A: Ayurvedic Pharmacology

Energetics of Ayurvedic Substances

Appendix B: Glossary of Ingredients

Appenidx C: Kitchen Equipment

Appendix D: Pancha Karma Accessories. Equipment and Utensils

Appendix E: Techniques and Procedures for Praparing Formulas and Recipes

Appendix F: Milk Products Recipes

Appendix G: Ayurvedic Resources and Suppliers

Glossary of Sanskrit Terms

Bibliography

Index of Text and Illustrations