Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide, Revised and Updated Edition

I was lead to this book from "Quantum Healing". I had no knowledge of Ayurveda before then. This book gave me insights into what is Ayurveda. I believe it to be an excellent guide for beginners.

This book is a valuable introduction to Ayurveda, a system for improving one's health and promoting longevity. Many of the ideas in this book are quite different from what I had previously learned and believed. But because I had many years of positive experiences with Transcendental Meditation, I decided to consider these ideas and try them. Experience has shown me that the ideas in this book are phenomenally effective.I was prompted to write this review in response to some skeptical comments posted by other reviewers. Some reviewers see this book as the author's attempt to profitably sell other products and services. I do not believe this is the case. If valuable treatments and techniques can only be learned through personal instruction, it is helpful to know that these treatments and techniques exist, and I do not sense that the author is trying to monopolize the availability of these treatments and techniques; he merely wants people to know about them. I'm sure Dr. Chopra is financially independent and not merely advertising his services. In addition, I have heard and read so much good information from Dr. Chopra that I am convinced he is sincere.Other reviewers have rejected the ideas in the book because they are different from what the reviewers have believed all their lives. I understand this because initially I was surprised by the different advice in this book. I advise people not to read this book unless they are open-minded and willing to consider and try some different ideas.This book does contain plenty of good, specific advice regarding a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and rest, presented from an Ayurvedic perspective. I decided to try these ideas, and I have found that my physical health, mental health, and sense of well-being have all improved as a result.

This book was recommended (prescribed) by Mary Jo Cravatta, my ayurvedic physician. The book covers a lot of ground, from the basics of ayurveda, to practical elements such as diet and basic yoga exercises, abhyanga daily massage, and the ever-important daily routine. The book has been invaluable in helping me understand my specific imbalance, and how to practically address this. I have made phenomenal improvements with my digestive problems and numerous other ailments. Ayurveda is not about a quick fix, like fixing a broken machine. It addresses the whole body as, well, an ecosystem, taking account of environment, physical body, mental body, and spiritual body. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a persistent chronic disease. You will discover that the body is always trying to maintain balance & equilibrium with its environment, like all things in nature. It is the lifestyle, habits, and daily choices that brings us out of balance over time.

This book represents one of Deepak Chopra's earliest works and is his introduction of Maharshi Ayurveda health, healing and medicinal practices to the West. As with most of Chopra's books, the book flows well, and is filled with easy to grasp and understand concepts - at least superficially.As I've also found, there is a fair bit of both promotion of his goods and services, as well as TM and other training that he offers. It's always done in a very subtle and "helpful" way, but it is there in the background nonetheless.The topic itself is a fascinating one, and a great reminder on the need for prevention before cure. Even if you read the book and find the concepts to be hogwash - which is unlikely given the approach Chopra uses to introduce the reader to Ayurveda - the constant reminder that disease can be prevented and that preventative medicine - the emphasis of Eastern medicinal practices - needs to be applied to maintain "Perfect Health". Some of the dietary and exercise practices can be put into place immediately after reading the book, while others will require the assistance of a trained Ayurvedic Doctor. Candidly, with the emphasis on the body type and the need to get this correct for maximum effectiveness, a visit to a practitioner will probably need to accompany any implementation. (However, as I noted above, Chopra does an effective, if subtle, promotion of his products and services, so I may have bought into that influence in the last statement).A decent book, easy read, and if anything, will make you more health conscious and bodily aware.

This book, paired with Yoga & Ayurveda by David Frawley completely transformed the way I understand, and relate to, my health and well-being. Deepak Chopra is brilliant. The book is easy to understand (the opposite of Yoga & Ayurveda) and he gives practical advice on how to bring balance to your doshas. He sticks to words that most readers are familiar with, rather than incorporating lots of sanskrit.Anyone interested in learning how you can manage your own health and well-being should read this book.

I had read and studied the previous edition of this book back in 1995 at which time I was introduced to the timeless wisdom put forth in it. Almost 20 years later I find that I am still living by some of these guidelines, and I know that this has contributed greatly to my health and well-being all these years. Today I feel like I am sixty-five years "young", but I plan to reread and contemplate the information presented in this new edition and am very motivated to apply Ayurvedic wisdom at an even deeper level than before. Thank you Dr. Chopra for this beautiful gift you have given us.