Prajnaparadha [Crime Against Wisdom] ~ An Ayurvedic Perspective
We as humans are wonderful. We may not be perfect and that is perfectly okay. Often we make mistakes regarding the food we eat, the time we sleep, and the endless hours of work in daily life. “Prajnaparadha” [crime against wisdom] is willfully ignoring one’s inner knowing — going against our intuition and common sense. According to ayurveda, prajnaparadha is considered to be the root cause of nearly all diseases.

Simple Examples Of Prajnaparadha
Any choice we make in life, whether that choice involves work or home life, will inevitably create an impact on our overall health and well-being.

• When one has eaten enough and is full yet still eats more food because it tastes so good.
• When one is very tired and should take rest but instead continues with additional work.
• When we know that smoking is harmful to one’s health but still continues to smoke cigarettes.
• Misuse of the organs of sense perception. For example, watching violent movies.
• Misuse of speech such as gossiping, speaking untruth, and talking too much.

Where Do We Begin? 
We can begin to heal ourselves simply by being kind and learning to forgive ourselves. By not blaming others for our own wrong choices and by making a promise to move forward afresh with a willingness to change, we heal. Likewise, by pausing at the crossroads of our choice-making and learning to ask ourselves whether or not the choice we are considering is moving us towards our soul’s purpose. If you ask this question quietly within the silence of your heart, you will be surprised by the commitment and strength which springs forth. Therefore, let us begin anew with a healthy respect for our intuition and self-care. By commiting ourselves fully and completely in becoming our own true friend creates a sacred place where true healing begins. Today is the day to begin. Today is the day to transform your health.

Ask The Experts
We asked several highly respected ayurvedic professionals what they might recommend regarding becoming more aware of the natural principles explained by ayurveda and this is what they had to say …

“Become acquainted with the wisdom of the body and mind by listening to its language. How does your body speak to you? Are you experiencing any aches or pain, indigestion, butterflies, tightening of the jaw or shoulders? Are you willing to hear?… and are you willing to respond with love, compassion and forgiveness?”
– Betty Moylan, Ayurvedic Professional 

“As my father always tells me, always think twice! When going to eat something, or do something, ask oneself whether it will be beneficial or not? In the beginning it may feel weird,however, after sometime you will get used to it and do it automatically. Another thing is to know oneself and by knowing oneself you develop the intuition of what is good and what is not.”
– Yossi Joe Nazar, Ayurvedic Professional 

“By taking care of all your senses [seeing, hearing, touch, taste and smell] you give the best guarantee for contacting  your deeper soul using ayurvedic natural principles.”
– Gerry Van de Moortel, Ayurvedic Professional 

“A probable solution to avoid the state of prajnaparadha lies within one’s own mental faculty. One needs to coordinate the balancing of the intellectual understanding (dhee), determination (dhruti) and cognizance of facts (smruti). By using a proper positive approached counseling one is able to help maintain the inter faculty equilibrium of dhee, dhrti and smrti.”
– Dr. A. Rangaprasad Bhat, Ayurvedic Physician 

“Prajnaparadha can be controlled by inner cleansing and optimism plays a vital role.”
– Vishnu Priya, Ayurvedic Professional