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Tibetan Ayurveda: Health Secrets from the Roof of the World »

Book cover image of Tibetan Ayurveda: Health Secrets from the Roof of the World by Robert Sachs

Authors: Robert Sachs, Dorje Gyaltsen (Illustrator), Lobsang Rapgay
ISBN-13: 9780892819362, ISBN-10: 0892819367
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Inner Traditions Bear & Company
Date Published: May 2001
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Robert Sachs

Robert Sachs has spent the last twenty-five years studying with some of today's most noted Tibetan spiritual leaders and Ayurvedic physicians. He is a member of Sogyal Rinpoche's Spiritual Dying Network, a Licensed Social Worker, and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. The author of Perfect Endings and The Complete Guide to Nine-Star Ki, he lives in California.

Book Synopsis

Discover the four levels of traditional Tibetan healing science with this preventive health care manual for people of any age, culture, and physical type.

• Includes material on little-known therapies such as Pancha Karma and Kum Nye, as well as guidelines for nutrition, longevity, detoxification, and meditation.

• Author has studied with many of the best-known Tibetan and Ayurvedic physicians alive today.

Tibetan medicine was probably the first truly integrated system of ancient healing science. From the seventh to the tenth centuries, Tibetan kings encouraged physicians from India, China, Nepal, Persia, and Greece to teach their traditional medical sciences to Tibetan physicians, who at that time were primarily influenced by Ayurveda and shamanic healing modalities. This cross-cultural marriage of the greatest healing traditions makes Tibetan medicine ideally adaptable to Western health needs.

Tibetan Ayurveda provides a comprehensive guide to the four levels of traditional Tibetan medicine with a wealth of traditional health practices and teachings. Much of the contemporary material on Tibetan medicine focuses solely on herbal medicine and acupuncture; Tibetan Ayurveda goes beyond these to look at other important forms of treatment such as Pancha Karma for detoxification and rejuvenation and Kum Nye for integrating mind and body. A self-profile test is included to allow readers to determine their own health needs and embark on the path toward realizing their full potential for health and well-being.

Robert Sachs has spent the last twenty-five years studying with some of today's most noted Tibetan spiritual leaders and Ayurvedic physicians. He is a member of Sogyal Rinpoche's Spiritual Dying Network, a Licensed Social Worker, and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. The author of Perfect Endings and The Complete Guide to Nine-Star Ki, he lives in California.

Deepak Chopra

Tibetan Ayurveda is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to live a life based on the wisdom of Ayurveda. I recommend it highly.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments11
Preface15
Foreword17
Introduction19
I.Self-Evaluation25
Constitution: Our Blueprint for Well-Being28
How to Score the Four Tests33
Test 1Stature and Physical Characteristics35
Test 2General Symptoms37
Test 3Tibetan Personality Profile41
Test 4Specific Symptoms Observed Over Time47
Adding Up the Scores49
Using the Constitutional Type as a Guide50
II.Nutritional Practices53
Tastes55
Quantities of Food56
Seasonal Considerations57
Chewing57
Food Selection and Preparation58
Food Recommendations for the Six Constitutions60
Nutritional Practices for the LUNG-type Constitution60
Nutritional Practices for the TrIPA-type Constitution63
Nutritional Practices for the BEKAN-type Constitution66
Combination Nyepa Constitutions69
Food Combining73
Food Quality and Special Food Groups75
Other Environmental Considerations: Water and Air79
Supplementation: Vitamins, Herbs, and Super Foods81
Tibetan Urine Testing for Supplements and Medicines83
Tibetan Precious Pills85
Digestive Fire89
Assessing Nutritional Programs92
III.Exercise93
Exercise for the LUNG Constitution95
Exercise for the TrIPA Constitution95
Exercise for the BEKAN Constitution96
Seasonal Considerations96
Tibetan Tai Chi and Chi Kung97
Tibetan Chi Kung99
Kum Nye100
Tibetan Rejuvenative Exercises102
Yantra Yoga112
Relaxation Therapy113
IV.Skillful Behavior119
General Behavior--Daily Practices120
Sleep121
Hygiene124
Sexual Intercourse and Practices125
Spiritual Practices--Cultivating True Healthiness131
Seasonal Behavior133
Occasional Behavior137
V.Meditation and Spiritual Practice141
What Is Meditation?143
Meditation on Equanimity144
Healing Meditation--as taught by Dr. Lobsang Rapgay147
Individual Spiritual Orientation153
Dealing with Problems Arising in Meditation161
VI.Detoxification and Rejuvenation165
Len Nga (Pancha Karma) Therapy)166
The Techniques167
Massage and Steam Hydrotherapy168
The Five Actions170
Netra Basti179
Shiro Dhara183
Tailoring a General Len Nga Therapy Regimen for You186
Rejuvenation188
A Len Nga Therapy Case History190
VII.Time and Place195
Setting and Geomancy196
Timing and Astrology198
The Elements203
Ambience and Social Support212
Appendix 1Ego and Suffering: A Buddhist View215
Appendix 2Theory of the Three Nyepas223
Appendix 3A Concise Meditation on Medicine Buddha227
Appendix 4Mewas and Buddhist Spiritual Practice230
Notes232
Glossary237
Bibliography239
Resources242
Index245

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