Ayurveda [0] is at a crossroads. The ancient system of healing has dodged western skepticism and continues to be growing component of holistic medicine [0], but the future is unclear. Global expansion has increased the risk of a watered down and often inaccurate dissemination of Ayurvedic tenets — unsurprisingly similar to another Indian healing practice (rhymes with “toga”) — and the Ayurveda community is taking action before do-it-yourself dosha [1] kits are sold at every Wal-Mart in America.

These issues will be addressed in a five-day conference to be held in Mahabalipuram, India this January. Ayurveda: Where Science Meets Consciousness [2], will examine the current state of worldwide Ayurveda in the country where it was born. Students, practitioners, and teachers will have the chance to connect with each other and with experts like Deepak Chopra [3] and Robert Svoboda [4].

Unlike the average American conference, the event is not another excuse to peddle products and services. It looks like relevant Ayurveda topics will be extensively covered, specifically the alarming shift away from the system's holistic method. Supporters of traditional Ayurveda worry that the practice is becoming body-centric — that it is moving away from the original mind-body-consciousness approach on which it was developed.

Scheduled lectures include “Understanding Ayurveda in a western scientific paradigm,” “Vedantic Inputs In Ayurvedic Healing,” and “Ideological Basis of Ayurveda” among others.

Truly fascinating. Now I just have to figure out the quickest way to get to Mahabalipuram.

(Photo: Clearharmony.net)