Ayurveda, the ‘science of life’ has become very popular in developed nations in recent decades, thanks to the work of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in reviving this ancient body of wisdom.

Dating back several thousand years, the practice of Ayurvedic techniques was forced ‘underground’ when the British colonized India and imposed their own ‘modern’ approaches to health.

Fortunately, some families passed the wisdom down through the generations, allowing Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to bring three of the greatest minds on the subject together for a long-overdue revival of this timeless body of knowledge.

In this episode, Thom explains some of the details of that revival, and explores some of the key differences between the Ayurvedic and ‘allopathic’ approaches to health. Importantly, he explains how the two approaches are complementary rather than ‘alternative’ to each other.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - The Meaning of Ayurveda

[01:41] - The history and extinction of Ayurveda

[02:59] - Ayurveda was made illegal in India

[04:01] - The revival of Ayurveda by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

[04:56] - The three great masters

[06:15] - The rise of Ayurveda

[07:10] - Panchkarma

[07:50] - Not an alternative to western medicine

[09:06] - The next generation of Ayurvedic practitioners

[10:31] - The difference between Ayurveda and allopathy

[12:14] - Treating the person

[13:38] - The magic bullet

[14:22] - The entire spectrum of human experience

[15:57] - The Vaidya’s 

[17:10] - Practicing Vedic Meditation to reduce stress

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Registration is now open for Thom’s only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.

This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.

You’ll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. 

Register before February 28th and you’ll save $500 on your retreat fee. 

You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.