The Path of Practice: A Woman's Book of Ayurvedic Healing

For me the best part of the book was the author's personal story, which I find very inspiring. Bri Maya Tiwari was a high-power figure in the fashion industry, a mere 23-year-old, when she was diagnosed as having cancer of the uterus. She underwent a hysterectomy, but as a result of an unfortunate 'slip of the surgeon's knife' during surgery the cancer unexpectedly and rapidly spread to surrounding tissue. This led to 2 1/2 horrible years of enduring 12 major surgeries and many devastating rounds of radiation therapy until 1977 when she was told that her cancer was indeed fatal and that she at most two months left to live. The doctors' recommendation was that she remain in their care under heavy doses of morphine to kill the pain until the day 'she drew her last breath.' One hour after she received this death sentence she left the hospital without telling anyone. Overwhelmed with sadness, she sought refuge in a friend's ski cabin in Sugarbush, VT where she fasted and wept and poured out her sorrows in a journal. However,, 'In waiting for death to come, [she] found new life.' She experienced spiritual interventions including a visitation from her father. Two months later when she returned to Manhattan she had no doubt that her cancer was retreating. She ultimately became cancer-free. She now believes that people have the ability to heal themselves from illnesses like cancer.I value this book for the author's personal story because I believe it, and it's a dramatic example of how we each are capable of healing ourselves. However, I personally could not relate to the author's belief in 'recovering one's ancestral memories' (that simply doesn't make sense to me and I wouldn't know how to go about recovering them anyway) or to her other Indian culture-related beliefs. I'm not interested in the various Indian gods or in chanting prayers in Hindi. The author's beliefs are simply too foreign to my upbringing. I do, however, believe in the power of meditation and in 'living in the moment.' I value the author's personal story about overcoming cancer but I got more healing value out of Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now."For anyone who might be dealing with cancer, or who knows someone who is, go online and look up 'Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).' I wish I'd known LDN before my niece died of cancer--I believe her life could have been saved by LDN.

It is not a book for the faint of heart, neither is it right for those who desire definite and concrete answers to their lives problems. While Bri Maya Tiwari offers a full richness of ancient Ayurvedic practices which may lead to deep insights they are far from what our Western culture would define as definite. Nothing is definite or concrete when you open your heart and mind to the wisdom of your own inner self. It is a very feminine quality which leads one to intuitive learning from our very own heart. If you are looking for ways to connect with the wisdom of your deeper self through finding your ancestral roots and your connection to the Divine Mother you may find the book helpfull. Bri Maya's journey opened the doors which my culture kept shut for over one thousand years, the doors to the the vast ocean of universal knowledge (knowledge that does not rely purely on reason) that dwells within us and is available to an ardent seeker.

I learned of this book at a lecture on Ayurvedic medicine, which was the first time I had heard about these practices.I agree with the other reviewers who praised Tiwari's prose. In general the book is relaxing and easy to read.I also agree with the reviewers who found some of the religious imagery a bit over the top. I think most of the anecdotes come across as far-fetched, wishful thinking.Nevertheless, the recipes are useful, and it also serves as a nice reference for a variety of meditation practices. Much of what she says strikes a balance between traditional practices and modern-day life with Western medicine. I like that she doesn't completely discount science, although some of her advice (to drink rainwater, for example, as if it's safe to do that anywhere!) seems ignorant and unsafe to me.Perhaps what I found most frustrating is that Tiwari herself has chosen to effectively 'check out' of society. I would find her more useful as a role model if she had found a way to merge her Vedic practices with a successful career doing something other than teaching meditation, cooking and music while living in a log cabin.

I love this book.It is very informative and I loved reading it. The book is very practical and it takes us back to the various rituals and lifestyle habits that can be incorporated to our daily life in order to live a more harmonious, healthy and happy life.Coming from the same culture as Maya Thiwari, the author shows a clear understanding about the various Ayurveda practices, ancient healing methods for mind, body and soul.This is an amazing book that I would recommend to all mothers and daughters out there to read and reread.Currently I am reading Women's Power to Heal: Through Inner Medicine by the same author.

If I had known this was written by a "Daddy's girl" who is in her own little world regarding healing and the extreme patriarchy that is practiced in her beloved India, I wouldn't have wasted my money. It is basically a book about her Hindu faith and how much she venerates her father and other men, while claiming to be embracing Mother Earth energy. Her own mother gets barely any nod of appreciation for all she taught the author while Daddy was apparently a divine spiritual being. I have only read a few chapters and doubt that I can finish it without gagging. Watch the movie "It's a Girl!" if you want to know how the author's country embraces women. Can't understand why any woman would be able to use any of this author's "wisdom" unless she also has a serious father-fixation as well. BTW- I gave it two stars instead of one - which is how I would rate it at the moment - because I thought perhaps the author gets enlightened at the end and actually embraces her femininity.

The book arrived in perfect conditions. It is new and smells new. I am not reading it at the moment as I am terminating another book. I will give you more updates soon.

no es lo que me pensaba, lo he tenido que devolver

Great Book...

good read

Very simple yet informative ,her advice were very practical.