Robert Svoboda
Encyclopedia
Robert Edwin Svoboda is an American
author
and ayurvedic doctor
who gives lectures and courses around the world, related to the subjects of ayurveda
, jyotish, tantra
and Eastern religion
. He is author of eleven books, including Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution (1989), and the Aghora trilogy (1986, 1993, 1997) about his mentor, Vimalananda, and the Aghori
sect.
He also maintains a private consulting practice with clients in the United States
, Canada
, Europe
, Australia
and India
.
Svoboda is the first Westerner to graduate from a college of ayurveda
(in 1980) and be licensed to practice ayurveda in India.
, United States
. He grew up in Texas near an oil camp, before moving to Oklahoma where he did his schooling.
Svoboda graduated from the University of Oklahoma
in 1972 with a B.S. (major in Chemistry
, minor in French
). In 1973, he moved to India and stayed on for another 10 years. During this time he met his mentor Vimalananda and joined Tilak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, an ayuvedic college in Pune. In 1980, he graduated from Pune University with a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
(BAMS), receiving the title Ayurvedacharya. Author and ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad
was one of his teachers there.
During and after his formal ayurvedic training he was tutored in ayurveda
, yoga
, jyotish, tantra
and allied subjects by his mentor, Vimalananda. Svoboda also served as Vimalananda's "Authorized Racing Agent" (thoroughbred horses) at the Royal Western India Turf Club
in Mumbai
and Pune
between 1975 and 1985. He lived in India between 1973 and 1980 and again between 1982 and 1986.
Merit Scholarship in 1970; the U.S. Office of Education Scholarship in 1973; National Endowment for the Humanities
Youthgrant in 1975; and the Marsden Foundation Grant in 1978.
Between 1975 and 1980 he won all but one of the University of Pune
awards for academic excellence in ayurveda
, including the Ram Narayan Sharma Gold Medal.
Svoboda was ritually initiated into the Pokot
tribe of northern Kenya
in June 1973 as its first white member.
, Albuquerque, New Mexico
, Dinacharya Institute
, New York, New York and Bastyr University
, Kenmore, Washington
. Svoboda authored the new entry on ayurveda
for Encyclopædia Britannica
, 2000. He sits as an advisor for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association
as well as the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and ayurvedic doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who gives lectures and courses around the world, related to the subjects of ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, jyotish, tantra
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
and Eastern religion
Eastern religion
This article is about far east and Indian religions. For other eastern religions see: Eastern_world#Eastern_cultureEastern religions refers to religions originating in the Eastern world —India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia —and thus having dissimilarities with Western religions...
. He is author of eleven books, including Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution (1989), and the Aghora trilogy (1986, 1993, 1997) about his mentor, Vimalananda, and the Aghori
Aghori
The Aghori or Aghora are a Hindu sect believed to have split off from the Kapalika order in the fourteenth century AD. Many mainstream Hindus condemn them as non-Hindu because of their taboo violation of orthodox practices...
sect.
He also maintains a private consulting practice with clients in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Svoboda is the first Westerner to graduate from a college of ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
(in 1980) and be licensed to practice ayurveda in India.
Early life and education
Robert Edwin Svoboda was born in 1953 in TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He grew up in Texas near an oil camp, before moving to Oklahoma where he did his schooling.
Svoboda graduated from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1972 with a B.S. (major in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, minor in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
). In 1973, he moved to India and stayed on for another 10 years. During this time he met his mentor Vimalananda and joined Tilak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, an ayuvedic college in Pune. In 1980, he graduated from Pune University with a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is a medical degree in India, conferred to those who have studied the integrated system of modern medicine and traditional ayurveda. The degree is of five and half years duration, including 1 year internship. Exams are held after every 3 terms. The...
(BAMS), receiving the title Ayurvedacharya. Author and ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad
Vasant Lad
Dr Vasant Dattatray Lad B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., is an Indian-born American author, Ayurvedic physician, professor and director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lad is the author of numerous articles and many books on the subject of Ayurvedic Medicine. He is considered one of the...
was one of his teachers there.
During and after his formal ayurvedic training he was tutored in ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, jyotish, tantra
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
and allied subjects by his mentor, Vimalananda. Svoboda also served as Vimalananda's "Authorized Racing Agent" (thoroughbred horses) at the Royal Western India Turf Club
Royal Western India Turf Club
Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd. is a Indian sports club, into horse racing, established in 1802, which runs the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, and the Pune Race Course.Its also runs an helipad at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.- History :...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
between 1975 and 1985. He lived in India between 1973 and 1980 and again between 1982 and 1986.
Grants and awards
Svoboda received both the National Merit Scholarship and University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
Merit Scholarship in 1970; the U.S. Office of Education Scholarship in 1973; National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
Youthgrant in 1975; and the Marsden Foundation Grant in 1978.
Between 1975 and 1980 he won all but one of the University of Pune
University of Pune
The University of Pune , is a university located in northwestern Pune, India. It was founded in 1949. Spread over a campus, the university is home to 46 academic departments...
awards for academic excellence in ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, including the Ram Narayan Sharma Gold Medal.
Svoboda was ritually initiated into the Pokot
Pokot
The Pokot people live in the West Pokot and Baringo Districts of Kenya and in eastern Karamoja in Uganda. They speak Pökoot, language of the Southern Nilotic language family...
tribe of northern Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
in June 1973 as its first white member.
Professional experience
Since 1985, Svoboda travels the world lecturing, consulting, teaching and writing. He serves as adjunct faculty at the Ayurvedic InstituteAyurvedic Institute
The Ayurvedic Institute is a Ayurvedic school and Ayurveda health spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was established in 1984 by Vasant Lad as a non-profit 5013 organization to teach the traditional Ayurvedic medicine of India and to provide these ancient therapies...
, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, Dinacharya Institute
Dinacharya Institute
The Dinacharya Institute is a college specializing in teaching holistic medicine and Ayurveda to licensed professionals in the health and wellness fields. The Institute was founded by Dr...
, New York, New York and Bastyr University
Bastyr University
Bastyr University was established as the John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1978 in Seattle, Washington by Sheila Quinn, Joseph Pizzorno, ND, LM; William Mitchell, ND; and Les Griffith, ND, LM...
, Kenmore, Washington
Kenmore, Washington
Kenmore is a city in King County, Washington, United States, along the northernmost shores of Lake Washington...
. Svoboda authored the new entry on ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
for Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
, 2000. He sits as an advisor for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association
National Ayurvedic Medical Association
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association , founded in 2000 is the largest association of Ayurvedic practitioners in the United States. It is charged with representing and supporting the profession of Ayurveda in the United States...
as well as the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
The California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine is a non-profit professional medical organization founded in 2000 with the purpose of the establishment and growth of Ayurvedic Medicine in the state of California and support of Ayurvedic practitioners.-Mission and goals:The California Association...
.