Sattvavajaya – Mastery of the Mind: An Ayurvedic perspective on mental health
Join Robin Voss, Ayurvedic Practitioner, for an inspiring lecture about mental wellbeing from an Ayurvedic perspective.
This lecture is an introduction to the teachings on mental health from the ‘Charaka Samhita’, one of Ayurveda’s classical texts. Together, we will explore Ayurveda’s unique anatomy of the mind and discover therapeutic tools that help us release unhelpful patterns — mental, verbal, and physical — and return to a place of inner harmony and resilience.
In today’s world, where mental health challenges are widespread, the 3,000-year-old Ayurvedic teachings on Sattvavajaya – mastery of the mind – feel strikingly relevant. These timeless insights bring forgotten knowledge back to light, offer practical self-empowerment, and invite us into a deeper understanding of our individual and collective psychology.
Traditionally, Sattvavajaya was not only used to address anxiety, depression, and other mental afflictions but also to enhance the healing process of physical diseases. When integrated into daily life, these practices guide us towards balance, purpose, and vitality.
What you will learn:
Ayurveda’s view of the mind – its faculties and functions
Therapies for balance – from behavioral and ethical practices to herbs, medicines, and yogic techniques
Practical tools – strengthening willpower, memory, reasoning, and cognitive clarity
Integration into modern life – how these teachings support both mental wellbeing and physical healing
“Love can exist when there is silence of mind. Silence of mind can only be if there is total understanding of the movement of thought and feeling. Thought and feeling can only be known when there is no condemnation of thought and feeling.” – J. Krishnamurti