In Ayurvedic medicine, what leads to a balanced mind?

A principal player in matters of the Self and its relationships with others is the mind. Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, sees the mind as messenger between the Self and the senses. For the mind to be working in peak order, therefore, its “hinges” should be well-oiled. Ayurveda believes the mind has three “hinges”:

• Dhi: the power to learn and acquire knowledge

• Dhriti: the power to retain what has been learned

• Smriti: the power to recall what has been learned and retained

When these three components work in perfect coordination, the mind is balanced. And a balanced mind is the key to harmony both within the Self and outside it.