Ayurveda: Moeder van alle geneeswijzen (2005) User Reviews

Ayurveda one of those films that stills the hunger for movies with a message

[ipo-3 · 8/10 · 11 February 2006]

Subject :Film review by Irene Pool

Documentary made by film maker Vighnesh Maharaj Peters.

Film title: AYURVEDA, MOTHER OF ALL MEDICINE

As a practitioner of alternative medicine and a student of Ayurveda at the Europe Ayurvedic College in Holland, I feel inspired to share my impressions on a highly educative and easily accessible film about the founder and mother of all medicine; Ayurveda. There is a growing need to be more informed nowadays about preventive and holistic medicine. A very appealing way to be introduced into these holistic ways is to be taken by Vighnesh Maharaj Peters on a journey, whereby he involves us as viewers because of his very natural way of filming. The film depicts the humane and caring approach of the Ayurvedic Doctor and the client, We can also see how little we are accustomed in making real contact. Because the consultations are held in a practice in Holland it brings the inheritance of the ancient Indian culture at our doorstep.

Vighnesh is part Indian and part Dutch from his fathers side, this makes him a young bridge builder, who is able through the medium of film to pass on the ancient knowledge of his culture and background, in a contemporary and creative way. First we are introduced in the film what Ayurveda really means, then we witness some different consultations in the practice of Dr. Mohana Kumari in Amsterdam. Towards the end of the film we are introduced into the Ayurvedic colour therapy, by seeing different Kalams ( colourful mandala's ) moving in special way across the screen. These images and this knowledge have never been shown before and are shared also to show the highly spiritual connection with the divine and that these two approaches belong together. The spiritual and the science of medicine. This defines the very nature and character of this young filmmaker, his earthly and spiritual approach to film making. Being able to translate for us other ways of seeing and living a conscious live. To me this film deserves to find its place in the film world of today and applies for encouragement on an international level. We need more films with a deeper message, as we people are hungry to find out our true nature.

Irene Pool

Ayuveda, Mother Of All Medicines

[mstr009 · 9/10 · 9 October 2006]

This young filmmaker Mr. Vignesh Maharaj Peters I consider to be a promising talent in the field of film-making. He is not only a young man with genial capacities, colorful dreams and meaningful goals, he has also the strength and the willpower to fulfill them. This film is only one step on the path toward his goal.

The film is a testimony of his faith and basic trust in the traditional Ayurveda. Mr. Vighnesh M. Peters proves in this film that he is not only capable of applying a lot of specialized techniques in film-making, but he also shows that he is combining these techniques in such a way that the content of the film is illuminated and brought forward to the public with insight, clarity, love and compassion. To me he seems to be one of the rare young people who integrates the modern techniques of the western world with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda from the South of India, which is passed on in this film. The whole film in its colorfulness breathes peace, compassion, a deep involvement in Life and respect for Mother Earth.

I refer to episodes in the film such as during the explanation of certain specific basic paradigma's of the Ayurveda, like the 5 elements: you can see transparently superposed on the shown pictures other images, those of the 5 elements, being earth, water, fire, air and ether. Other paradigma's of the Ayurveda are made very clear in a brief and compact way so that the person who listens carefully gets a lot of very important information. In the meantime that this information is given the colorful pictures are a treat for the eyes and the beautiful music is a treat for the ears ( the music is also composed, arranged and synthesized by the filmmaker himself ). In the film all the senses of the spectator are developed and nourished, one of the basic principles for health in Ayurveda!

Also is shown in a very realistic yet suble and fine way the respectful loving attitude of the Ayurvedic doctor with glimpses of her devotional practice, the worshiping of the Gods and the respecting of the 5 elements. For me as an ex-client of Dr. V.P. Mohana Kumari and as a student of the Europa Ayurveda College, growing familiar with the devotional practices and medical theories and practices of the Ayurveda, I only saw this consciously after seeing the film for the second time. I am sure that there are more layers in the film to discover. I personally feel the desire to see the film a few more times.

I honestly can recommend this film to the public.

The film gives a first starting point to understand and see what Ayurveda has to offer to patients. It gives a glance in how Traditional Ayurveda helps people to get sanity of body, mind and soul.

In the part about the 'first Consultation' the method of diagnosis is shown by the Ayurvedic doctor Dr. V. P. Mohana Kumari by means of feeling the pulsation of the nadi's ( meridians in acupuncture), chakra's and organs all over the body including the pulse. Notice carefully how this requires of the ayurvedic doctor a special sensitivity to be able to feel the pulsation and blockades in order to make the diagnosis and make suggestions for the treatment. To obtain health in body, mind and soul according to Ayurveda it is very important to develop the sense organs ( the nose, eyes, ears, mouth and skin ) , the chakra's, the nadi's and the whole energetic system of the body including the brain, nerves and arteries etc. and the Kundalini. This is done in order to help the soul give direction to the body to fulfill its destiny and to do what it came for in this life on earth. The good Ayurvedic doctors like Dr. V.P.Mohana Kumari have gone through this transformation in their personal and spiritual development and have grown to be very sensitive and intuitive and at the other hand very knowledgeable and wise. That is why she can feel the pulsation of the nadi's, chakra's and the organs through touch and that is why she is very accurate in her diagnosis and her treatment. This way of diagnosing is long forgotten in our western medical science.

In the part about the 'Pancha Karma' the importance of cleaning the body thoroughly is made very clear. For us western people this is not obvious, because our western doctors look so different upon diseases en how to 'cure' them.

In the part about the 'Kalam' the importance of cleaning the mind comes explicitly forward and how this is done by Dr. V.P. Mohana Kumari in the traditional ways as a closure of the total process of curing a patient.

Our western doctors have such partial focused views and do not see the whole person who is ill or what the illness means in this life and for the soul's journey of a patient. This is so different in the theory and practice of the Ayurveda which works Holistic, with the body, mind and soul of the patient. Did not the ancient philosopher Juvenal say: "Mens sane in corpore sano"? That is particularly the aim of healing patients for Ayurvedic doctors like Dr. V. P. Mohana Kumari.

I come to the conclusion that the film Ayuveda, Mother Of All Medicines is a film that has a lot to offer to people.

I feel a deep respect for this young filmmaker who uses his technical talents and his inspirations in such a way that he puts them in service of the spiritual development of people and in service of the purpose that Nature can heal people.

I look forward to see more films of this promising filmmaker.