Pre-Buddhist History. People of the Indus Valley Civilisation (also called Harappan Civilisation after the major city of Harappa) were mainly farmers, although recent finds are indicating a well developed culture. Eminent scholars have concluded that the origins of the practices of yoga and meditation can be traced to the Indus Valley civilisation. An image of a human figure has been found that is seated in a cross-legged posture, hands resting on the knees and eyes narrowed - clearly suggesting meditation. Also, the wandering ascetic is frequently mentioned. These ascetics are said to have practised methods of mind training, to have been celibate, naked or clothed in the most meagre of garments, to have had no fixed abode, and to have taught a way beyond birth and death.
According to most scholars, the original Indus Valley civilisation was abruptly interrupted sometime between 1800 and 1500 BCE by an invasion of the Aryans (people from a region somewhere in Eastern Europe). ^Top of Page Links Just for fun: HISTORY OF BUDDHISM. Buddhists’ Delight. Buddha Teachings Discourses of Buddha, Ramana, Ramakrishna, Shankara, Lao Tzu Gurdjieff. Individual Healing: Ancient Ayurveda as a healthy modern lifestyle. Ayurveda is the most holistic medicine system existing Dhanvantari—Hindu God of Ayurvedic Medicine Ayurveda is a leading alternative medicine and probably the most holistic medicine system existing. It translates to “Science of Life” and with its 5 000 years of history Ayurveda is also the oldest known healing science — preserved until today in India, where it stems from.
It was established by the same great Vedic seers and sages that invented Yoga and Meditation. So 3 000 years ago Europe was still in Bronze age, healing diseases by trying to get bad spirits out of the body with excruciating methods like trepanation because diseases where thought to be sent from gods or similar so there wasn’t much men could do about them. Depiction of ancient Sages learning ayurvedic wisdom from Lord Atreya (top) and Susruta, the father of plastic surgery (bottom). According to the Ashtānga Hridayam Ayurveda consists of eight disciplines: Ayurveda links mind, body and soul.