[Book Review] "Yoga and Ayurveda : Self Realization and Self Healing" by David Frawley

This book "Yoga and Ayurveda : Self Realization and Self Healing" by David Frawley is a gem of a book.
The basic premise of the book is "How to support Yogic practise with Ayurveda".
Normally we hear of these 2 in separate contexts one is related to Self+Realization and the other to Self+Healing.
This book concentrates on their intersection i.e. the 'Self' part by which both are shown to be indivisible.
Similarly Ayurveda and Yoga are not really different but similar even same in many ways.
Using a combination of techniques like asana, diet, herbs, mantra, pranayama, meditation we can achieve the goal of Yoga i.e. Union.

1) Prana-yama which seeks to control and balance the "Vayu tattva" called "Prana".
This is normally considered to be part of Hatha Yoga.
2) Tapas which seeks to control and balance the "Agni tattva" or "Tejas".
This is normally considered to be Part of Raja Yoga or Kriya Yoga.
3) There is however another vital essence called Ojas which is the "Prithvi/Jala Tattva".
This is normally not much heard about apart from occasional reminders to maintain celibacy in Yoga.

Ayurveda seeks to bring balance to these 3 vital essences.
This can be used by a normal house-holder for self healing.
Or it can be used by a Yogi for self transformation.

Consider these 3 vital essences in the form of a "Diya" or Ghee lamp:
1) Ojas consists of the lamp itself, the ghee and the wick (fuel and container symbolized by the human body)
2) Tejas consists of the Fire (energy which transforms the fuel with air into heat)
3) Prana consists of the Light (raditaing energy released during the transformation i.e. the desired result)

If any of the components are flawed the result will be an unlit lamp which explains why so many people attempt Yoga but so few succeed. The chain of events required to light the self-lamp needs to be co-ordinated accurately in a sequence before you can see the light!!

In chess a Grandmaster does the following things:
a) use all the chess pieces (Opening game)
b) use the pieces in different combinations depending on the situation  (Middle Game)
c) forsee future moves and plan to manoeuvre his pieces to take up good positions (Middle Game)
d) when most of the pieces are eliminated use only few pieces to reach the goal (End Game)
e) finally understand that when the game is over the pawn and the king go in the same box

It takes years of practise, trial-and-error before you get to a master/grand-master level.
It takes support-staff, facilities, money, coaches etc to help the aspirant on his path to such mastery.

The same applies to Yoga which needs sister Vedas like Ayurveda to help it on the path to self-realization.
And this is the basic import of this book.