I first met Vaidya while I was working at the MAPI (Maharishi Ayurveda Products International) store in Seattle Washington in 1996. He was the master herbal formulator for the company, and came to Seattle to offer in-store consultations and staff education. He would come to town for 4 days at a time, about every other month. It was here, that I learned everything about the delicate and precise herbal formulas he created, and how they influence the subdoshas anddhatus. The first time he ever took my pulse was during one of those stays, and the first thing out of his mouth, was “you have the same problem as I do, we are both in the wrong culture!” I don’t know how he knew that from my pulse, but its very accurate even to this day, perhaps many of you also feel that way. During those visits, I had the privilege to drive him to his consultations in surrounding cities, sit down with him during the ayurvedic consultations and take notes from him. Those sessions were so educational, as I would observe him giving recommendations and guide people onto better health. I also learned to cook many ayurvedic recipes from him. I remember, once, he asked me to cook bitter melon (karela). And I had never tried it. I prepared it and just before serving it I thought I should take a taste. I could not believe how bitter it was. I was worried that I would be serving my teacher something that was either rotten or tasted terrible. I was so nervous to serve it to him, but he seemed to enjoy it. I have so many many stories and memories that I will share with you over the months.
I attended many of his training courses over the years. He was my guru/teacher, friend, brother, and guiding light who helped maintain my perfect health.
I recently completed my thesis as a psychotherapist. I dedicated my work to Vaidya Mishra who has taught me all that I needed to learn in ayurvedic healing.
I know he is still here with me, with us all, residing in the love of our hearts, forever guiding us toward health.
Did you know, that even though our first impulse might be to isolate ourselves in times of grief, it is in fact healing to mourn and laugh together? I would like to extend an invitation to each and every member of the SVA family at large: if you feel the pull to simply gather and cook together, to celebrate Vaidya, and his SVA knowledge, contact me. I will help you put into place a healing “structure” that involves the use of the SVA Samadhi Marma points, and explain how that opens the heart lotus. If you do the Samadhi set before meditation, it enhances supports your yogic connection. When you do it before you eat, it helps you manufacture lots of bliss/ojas from the nourishment you are getting. During times of grief, I highly recommend people to be, see, and eat together. Community is important for mental and physical health, and well as longevity. Connecting and touching each others’ heart through tears, laughter, and Vaidya’s SVA Marma points, doing the marma massage on the heart points on each others palms – it’s such a lovely ritual.
I also recommend learning to sing the Heart Lotus mantra he had taught us. Singing it together. Our culture isolates too much.
We can telecast the gatherings for people who are from o
utof town, but preparing delicious SVA food together, and sitting down to eat together, that is a divine experience.
Bonita Carol is a California registered marriage family therapist intern specializing in Vedic Psychology. She has trained/studied with Vaidya Mishra extensively and offers SVAyurveda sessions on lifestyle/dietary guidelines as well as Marma and Massage Treatments.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me. For ayurvedic therapeutic guidance or just to chat and reminisce about Vaidya! I can be reached at:
The sole purpose of this blog is to provide information about the alternative healing modalities of Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda (SVA) as practiced in Vaidya Mishra's ancestral family tradition. The information contained herein is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a licensed health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. Otherwise, for more information, you may call Vaidya Mishra's Prana Center toll free in the USA at 1.888.3CHANDI (888.324.2634). or 1.818.709.1005 globally, or email us at: info@prana-center.com. You may also visit: www.vaidyamishra.com, or www.chandika.com
He would come to town for 4 days at a time, about every other month. It was here, that I learned everything about the delicate and precise herbal formulas he created, and how they influence the subdoshas anddhatus. The first time he ever took my pulse was during one of those stays, and the first thing out of his mouth, was “you have the same problem as I do, we are both in the wrong culture!” I don’t know how he knew that from my pulse, but its very accurate even to this day, perhaps many of you also feel that way. During those visits, I had the privilege to drive him to his consultations in surrounding cities, sit down with him during the ayurvedic consultations and take notes from him. Those sessions were so educational, as I would observe him giving recommendations and guide people onto better health. I also learned to cook many ayurvedic recipes from him. I remember, once, he asked me to cook bitter melon (karela). And I had never tried it. I prepared it and just before serving it I thought I should take a taste. I could not believe how bitter it was. I was worried that I would be serving my teacher something that was either rotten or tasted terrible. I was so nervous to serve it to him, but he seemed to enjoy it. I have so many many stories and memories that I will share with you over the months.
