A Holistic Approach to Mental Health – Based on Maharishi AyurVeda

2026 January 06

YouTube Webinar: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health – Based on Maharishi Ayurveda

– with 10 tips for a healthier & happier life

Mental health is a crucial building block for a fulfilling, happy, and healthy life. But how can we best support our mental health?

After Dr. Robert Schneider (USA) recently shared his “ 7 Secrets for a Longer, Healthy Life ” with us, we explored with him how the millennia-old Ayurvedic knowledge of (long) life can help us achieve and maintain truly good mental health. We wanted to know from him:

How does Maharishi Ayurveda^® define mental health?
How can stress, anxiety, anger, and depression arise?
How can we best support and stabilize our mental health?

His answers provide a fascinating insight into a unique, holistic approach to mental health based on Maharishi Ayurveda^®.

Dr. Robert Schneider

For many years, the respected US-American scientist, preventive physician, and Ayurveda doctor Dr. med. Robert Schneider has been researching mind-body medicine, aging, and cardiovascular diseases.

He has served as an advisor to the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Presidential Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the US Congressional Prevention Committee. Dr. Schneider is the Dean of the College of Integrative Medicine, MIU, USA.

Dr. Robert Schneider

The four areas of mental health

When we talk about mental health, most people initially think primarily of our mind, our cognitive abilities. With its broad, holistic understanding of mental health, Maharishi Ayurveda^® goes far beyond that. It distinguishes four areas:

The innermost self
The transcendental self or the spiritual level of the self, the innermost area.
Our mind
That thinks, feels, makes decisions, is intuitive.
Our body
Modern medicine has shown us how our physical body, our physiology, influences our mental state. What we eat and breathe also affects our physiology and our psyche.
Our environment
Our social, physical, geographical environment.

Each of these four areas influences our mental health: our connection with our innermost self, whether we are in balance or have a harmonious connection with our mind and our social environment, whether we are in balance in our relationships, with our body, and with our environment.

Corresponding to these four levels, one could also speak of a four-dimensional view of perfect mental health that Ayurveda conveys to us.

When the connection is lost… – Isolation in times of pandemic

What happens when our connection to one or more of these four areas is lost was clearly demonstrated by the Corona pandemic: Due to precautionary measures, most of us were heavily isolated. This physical isolation led to social isolation and contributed to psychological isolation. Modern medical practitioners speak of a veritable epidemic of isolation, stress, depression, and despair. One of the leading medical journals even spoke of the 'age of despair' during this phase of the pandemic.

Responsible for this are the isolation and the loss of connection between several of the four areas mentioned. The loss of our connection with our social environment, our relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, and in some cases, with our natural environment.

There are even deeper levels on which one can lose connection, but these were the most obvious during this pandemic, illustrating this principle.

“The Charaka Samhita describes ten steps to reverse the aging process, achieve perfect mental health, and perfect health in general.”

Dr. Robert Schneider

10 steps for a happy, balanced, and fulfilling life

Even the Charaka Samhita, the oldest Ayurveda textbook, describes ten holistic steps to reverse the aging process, achieve perfect mental health, and perfect health in general.

Unlike many other approaches, which, like talk therapy, only deal with the mind, Maharishi Ayurveda^®, in its repertoire of knowledge and applications, offers a very comprehensive, holistic approach to restoring and maintaining mental health with these ten steps.

The ten steps encompass all four levels: body, mind, our environment, and our innermost self. Starting with very concrete, material aspects, they move to finer and finally to the subtlest level.

Due to their holistic effect, each of these steps automatically has a positive influence on the other areas.

“Do not tire and exhaust yourself! –
Because exhaustion is where the overexploitation of strength begins.”

Dr. Robert Schneider

1. Maintaining the balance of rest and activity

The first two steps deal with how we manage our body, our physiology.

To avoid tiring and exhausting ourselves, we should strive to keep rest and activity in balance. If activity dominates, stress arises and we become exhausted. Exhaustion marks the beginning of the overexploitation of our strength. This is the first step towards isolating ourselves from the source of our energy when we overexert ourselves. We can counteract this, among other things, with a good work-life balance and sufficient sleep.

Sleep as a source of regeneration

Good, restorative sleep is extremely important for the health of body and mind. Studies show that sleep deprivation, insufficient sleep (<6 h), insomnia, or poor sleep quality are associated with depression, other mental problems, and even later dementia. Those who sleep too little or poorly more often experience mental problems and, in the long term, harm their brain. Modern medicine thus underscores the importance of maintaining the balance between rest and activity.

When coffee and tea disrupt balance

Those who regularly consume stimulants such as coffee, black tea, or cola should be aware that these can disrupt the natural desire for restful calm. A healthy, Ayurvedic coffee alternative is Raja’s Cup – with full aroma and no caffeine.

2. Nutrition as the basis of a healthy psyche

Despite its millennia-old tradition, Ayurveda has lost none of its relevance. In the field of nutrition, for example, research in recent years has confirmed many of Ayurveda's recommendations. Modern medicine advises a wholesome diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, legumes, and nuts. What is often praised today as a Mediterranean or plant-based diet strongly aligns with the principles of a wholesome diet as recommended by Maharishi Ayurveda^®. A healthy, predominantly plant-based diet in Maharishi Ayurveda^® primarily includes fresh, whole organic foods.

Beyond the pure composition and quality of food, the digestion and assimilation of food play a crucial role in Maharishi Ayurveda^®. In addition to general tips on Ayurvedic nutrition , Ayurveda relies on individual recommendations tailored to the respective Dosha type .

“The three major mental dysfunctions are anxiety, anger, and depression.”

Dr. Robert Schneider

3. So that fears do not take over

With fear, we come to the first of three dysfunctions affecting the mind: fear, anger, and inactivity/depression. All three are seen in Ayurveda in close connection with a disturbed Dosha balance. According to Ayurvedic understanding, a Vata excess on the mental level is typical for fear.

So what to do? Ayurveda gives us very precise recommendations on how to balance the Doshas and their effects on the mind. Already the knowledge that fear, anger, and inactivity/depression are expressions of an imbalance that has arisen from our current mental-emotional state gives us some distance from the situation. This distance can help us to recognize that this is not really our own, innermost self, but that we are currently only experiencing anger or fear. For we know that our innermost self, as we are allowed to experience it especially in Transcendental Meditation, is a state of balance, calm, stillness, and fulfillment. This inner distance alone provides a certain balance.

It is also good to know that we can use each of the other principles to balance one of the three mental dysfunctions. Whether it's about balance, the principle of giving, compassion, respect, empathy, or understanding. This applies not only to how we interact with others but also to how we treat ourselves.

4. Confronting fiery anger

According to Ayurveda, anger is associated with Pitta or the fire principle. If the fire is too active and in excess, this can lead to anger on the mental level. Here too, the goal is to restore the Dosha balance and counteract the effects of excess Pitta on the mind.

Tips for a successful Dosha balance

Anger, anxiety, and depression are mental states associated with an imbalance of the fundamental mind-body principles, the three Doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurveda offers various approaches to bring the Doshas – and thus mind and emotions – back into balance.

On a physical level, we can, for example, ensure a balanced relationship between rest and activity, eat according to our Doshas, and use supplements with Dosha-balancing herbs. Good examples include:

Ayurvedic herbal teas and spice churnas tailored to the three Dosha types or the dominant Dosha respectively.
Dosha-harmonizing dietary supplements such as
Vata-Balance or Ashwagandha for Vata excess,
Pitta-Balance for Pitta excess, and
Kapha-Balance for Kapha excess.
Dosha-balancing massage and aroma oils .

Those who practice Ayurvedic pulse reading can also feel their own pulse and thus gain information about the status of the three Doshas. When we feel where a certain imbalance exists in mind and body, we direct our attention there. This attention alone has a calming effect. Knowledge is valuable in this process.

5. When motivation is lacking – Dealing with inactivity

The third step concerning our mind is dealing with inactivity. From an Ayurvedic perspective, slowness, dullness, inactivity, and depression are typical of a Kapha excess. Here, the aim is to turn inactivity into a positive, to be disciplined, active, and persistent. Dosha-balancing measures can help with this.

6. Cultivate social relationships

The example of the Corona pandemic has already shown us how physical isolation and the loss of connection with our social environment, family, friends, etc., can massively impair mental health. While video conferences usually alleviate social isolation and feeling cut off somewhat, they cannot replace personal contact.

For complete mental health, it is important that our social relationships, the connection with our fellow human beings, are restored in a very concrete, human way – both on an emotional and physical level: through kindness, compassion, and touch.

7. He who gives to others, gives to himself

As with the sixth step, the seventh step is about interaction with our social environment and how we approach it. Ayurveda speaks of being benevolent. This does not only mean the valuable support of charitable causes, but any giving: giving love, respect, encouragement, and happiness. All of this truly gives us inner peace.

Whenever we give something to someone, even if we only give time and space to our partner or friends, we are not only doing good for the recipient. We ourselves benefit just as much. Giving changes our psychology. We, so to speak, come out of our own self, out of our own head. Giving expands one's perception, activity, intentions, and care into the outer world. All of this expands, broadens. And that is a technique for mental health.

8. Enrich life with spiritual knowledge

With the eighth and ninth steps, we turn to the next level, our innermost or spiritual self. Every major tradition in all parts of the world describes such a spiritual level. Ayurveda calls it the 'level of the innermost self'. In Sanskrit it is called Atma, the universal, immortal Self, which is beyond the physical and mental level. The long-lasting, unlimited Self.

A holistic approach to mental health – based on Maharishi Ayurveda

Ayurveda also includes the science of Yoga. Yoga, in turn, also contains Ayurveda; they are both part of each other. In Yoga, one speaks of unity with one's innermost self and one understands and experiences that this is possible and can be a life goal – and also what the effects are.

The value of this experience of unity is proven by science: When we achieve this unity with our expanded, silent, innermost self in meditation, it leads to changes in brain waves and neurotransmitters.

People who pursue a higher purpose in life live longer, healthier and happier lives. Involvement in something greater than ourselves leads to more stability, adaptability and optimism – and thus to more resilience.

Yoga asanas and Transcendental Meditation can help us on the path to this experience. First, it is important to understand that unity with one's innermost self is possible and how valuable the effects are for us. This then inspires the next step, which is to put it into practice.

9. Transcendental Meditation – far more than just relaxation

An effective method to achieve unity with our innermost self is Transcendental Meditation. With its help, we can experience our own great Self, our expanded Self, the core that is silent, serene, calm, and stable. This is the deepest experience one can have, for in it one experiences one's own innermost core, which is at the same time the basis of the entire rest of the universe. The laws of nature that govern the universe are the same laws of nature that govern ourselves, our physiology, and our mind. We experience that there is a silent, deep source within us, and that this is at the same time the source of everything else.

This experience changes the brain, it changes one's outlook on life. It gives us a perspective and bestows upon us a wisdom that complements and interacts with the first eight levels.

10. Managing time – setting personal priorities

The Ayurvedic scriptures advise that one should manage time and place well. This means that we should decide and determine what we want to do with our valuable time, we can influence this ourselves. Therefore, the scriptures advise that we allocate our time according to our highest values and priorities.

The nine approaches discussed above offer valuable guidance in setting our personal priorities. Modern science and ancient Ayurvedic texts agree: If we manage our time well, balance rest and activity, we have the best chances for happiness, fulfillment, a long life, and complete mental health, which goes hand in hand with complete physical and social health and a healthy environment.

We sincerely wish you to achieve this goal.
Your Maharishi Ayurveda Team

We thank our experts Dr. Richa Shrivastava and Dr. Robert Schneider for their professional support!

Dr. Robert Schneider

The American preventive physician and scientist Dr. med. Robert Schneider was one of the first doctors in the USA to practice, teach, and scientifically research Maharishi AyurVeda as early as 1984. His clinical research in the areas of mind-body medicine, aging, and cardiovascular diseases was supported by the US government with more than 25 million USD.

The results of these studies have been reported in 150 renowned specialist magazines and more than 1000 articles in the press, radio, and television.

Dr. Schneider has advised the "National Institutes of Health," many health institutions, commissions, and the US Congress. He lectures on four continents at many academic teaching hospitals, professional societies, and public forums and is the author of the book "Total Heart Health."

Dr. Schneider is Professor and Director at the "Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention" and Dean of the "College of Integrative Medicine" at Maharishi University of Management, USA.

Dr. Richa Shrivastava

is a renowned researcher. She studied and completed her doctorate at India's leading Ayurveda university. She holds a Master of Science (in medicinal plant research).

Dr. Shrivastava leads a group of experienced scientists and specialists in product development and standardization at the recognized research center of Maharishi Ayurveda Products India. Dr. Shrivastava heads renowned research programs and teaches in the field of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic plants. She is particularly committed to identifying suitable herbs and quality control.

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