The most ancient healing art in the history of medicine, Ayurveda is still being applied today. It has its origin in the high culture of classical India. The practical medical knowledge was passed on for thousands of years; first only through an oral tradition, then, much later, in the form of written records. In the course of history, Ayurveda exercised a strong influence on medical thinking not only in Asia, but also in classical Greece. It is said of Hippocrates, the most important representative of classical Greek medicine, that in exercising his trade, he closely followed the theoretical and teaching system of Ayurveda. His influence has spread far beyond the boundaries of Greece, influencing western medical thinking up to the present time. Even today, the pledge which he formulated, known as the "Oath of Hippocrates", contains the central ethical principles of medicine, to which the modern physician still pledges allegiance. Other regions of influence of Ayurveda were ancient Egypt and China; Ayurveda was the basis of the traditional Chinese medicine which is still being practised today.

Influenced by political and societal change, Ayurveda has also flourished or declined throughout the long passage of time. The great seer-physicians, through their awe-inspiring intuitive cognition, formulated a holistic healing art which perceived humans in their inseparable union with nature and the cosmos. Eminent Indian physicians have safeguarded this authentic medical knowledge to the present day in an uninterrupted family tradition; they continue to apply it in its original holistic form. In many areas, however, following the trend of the times, it is only applied in a fragmented and symptom-oriented manner. Much of the original holistic spirit has been lost, especially in the area of practical application.

For this reason, the most prestigious leading Ayurveda experts, in co-operation with western physicians, have started to re-investigate the origins of Ayurvedic knowledge, to bring to light the timeless healing principles of this holistic natural medicine, and to formulate and teach them in modern terms. This initiative was launched by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi; Ayurveda in its authentic form is therefore referred to as Maharish Ayurveda. Maharishi is acting on behalf of and with the support of the traditional custodians of Vedic knowledge. He has been focusing for the past decades on demonstrating that the source of this knowledge lies within each person and can be reached spontaneously and effortlessly through a time-honoured technique of meditation. This technique is known today under the name of Transcendental Meditation. In comparison with other relaxation and meditation techniques, it has proven to be the most effective and scientifically most widely researched meditation technique.