Interview with Mrs. Carmen Carila, Educational Psychologist and Participant in the Ayurveda Course

Educational psychologist Carmen Carila took part in November in the Ayurveda course given by our friend Mara Gradinetti as part of the workshop at the Morningstar center. The course will be repeated in June (on June 10 – Introductory course, and on June 14 and 15 an intensive course), when Mrs. Gradinetti will return to Romania with the aim of training a therapist in Ayurvedic practice. Interested in the story of someone who took part in this course, we put a few questions to the psychologist, asking her to share her experience with us.

Q: Ayurvedic practice is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. Originating in India over 3,000 years ago, it remains one of the traditional health systems of that country. Based on natural treatment, on diets and other unique health practices, it is a well-established and effective practice for all kinds of conditions. Although it is based on an ancient technique, how do you find that we can apply this form of treatment in a modern and current manner? Do you consider that Ayurveda has passed the test of time, finding relevance and effectiveness to this day?

A: Being such an old practice, over 3,000 years old, as you said, it would be impious to claim that Ayurveda has not passed the test of time; without any doubt it finds its effectiveness in our days as well. The problem at the moment is that we, being a European country with rather little openness toward Asian philosophy, and perhaps because of the closed system in which we lived, did not have access to the information needed to apply it. Now there are more doctors and therapists who turn to Ayurvedic remedies or treatments, and that also encouraged me to take part in this Ayurvedic course, with a qualified person with more than 10 years of experience in the field, such as Mrs. Mara Gradinetti.

Q: The etymology of the word Ayurveda tells us about the foundation of this practice – Ayur meaning life, and veda meaning knowledge. So we are dealing with a complex science of life. From a professional perspective, do you consider Ayurveda a simple system for treating conditions, or is it rather a philosophy of life, with multivalent and profound principles?

A: Certainly Ayurveda is a philosophy of life, with rigorous principles, which should be studied in depth and seriously in our daily activity.

Q: In your daily life, are you a practitioner of the Ayurvedic teachings? Are you able to put into practice, from the theoretical to the practical level, the principles discovered during the workshop? Give us some concrete examples of how you use this practice in your life.

A: I am not a fervent practitioner of the Ayurvedic teachings, but I turn to them sometimes, considering that some time ago I was diagnosed with a breast neoplasm, and my attending physician prescribed a treatment that also includes Ayurvedic preparations.

Q: The courses held at the Morningstar center usually extend over several days. So it is a path of learning for the participants. Did you notice changes in your state, did you have moments of discovery or personal change? Did you have any surprises?

A: The courses held at the Morningstar Holistic Center took place over several days and I had the privilege of attending part of them. Of course there were many pleasant surprises, Mrs. Grandinetti being an open, particularly agreeable person and above all a very good practitioner, one of the treatments she gave having me as the subject of study, with good results for my state of health.

Q: What is Mrs. Mara Gradinetti's technique? Are her teachings rather theoretical or practical? Were the principles learned put into practice through concrete experiments?

A: Her way of working is a beneficial one. After the hours of theory, we moved on to the practical application of what had been presented, with each participant passing easily from the position of subject to that of practitioner of the topic being discussed.

Q: As a psychologist, you already have an established method of working with your patients. Do you find Ayurvedic practice to be complementary to your practice, or are the two not compatible? How can the Ayurvedic technique be applied on the psychological level? Is Ayurveda a technique concerning the health of the body, or also of the mind and soul?

A: Ayurvedic practice is compatible with any other method of working and does nothing but help you in the work you do, whether in group activity or in one-to-one work. And to make the results you want come faster, you address mind, body and above all soul alike.

Q: Tell us about a memorable (revelatory) moment you experienced during the course. Did you make friendships by taking part in this course? How did you experience the reaction of your fellow participants? Were sympathies born, dear moments? Will you also take part in the other sessions with Mara Gradinetti?

A: Of course, I have remained on good terms with the course participants. It could not have been otherwise, because those who were with us did so with a well-defined purpose, some of them practicing complementary therapies in their own offices, and our courses brought them an additional store of knowledge to help them deepen these practices even further. Then, when you spend 7–8 hours a day in the company of people who are developing the same abilities as you, of course pleasant moments dear to everyone are born. We await Mrs. Grandinetti with great fondness and eagerness for the June session, and we hope for the same fruitful collaboration with other applicants as well.