The mind and body are inter-related and dependent on each other. One without the other cannot function. But we often forget that and the lifestyle we should lead. We should look at our heritage, culture, religion, ethics, aesthetics and customs as these determine our lifestyle. But modern medicine till a decade ago forgot what lifestyle has to do with health and disease.
The relationship between the ancient systems of Asian philosophy and medicine has largely remained unexplored. It is important to emphasize the fact that the Asian philosophic schools and the systems of medicine are not isolated and must be carefully studied, giving due respect to their inter-related nature. The present volume is the result of an international conference on ‘Mind and Body in Health and Harmony in the Asian Systems of Medicine’, organized by IIC-Asia Project, India International Centre, New Delhi in 2012. The conference saw the participation of various medical practitioners and researchers from different parts of Asia and also of those practicing what are called the ‘alternative systems of medicine’ in India. These included specialists of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy, Sowa Rigpa, Naturopathy, Yoga, Acupuncture based on the Chinese system, and also representatives of the traditional systems from Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.