We know.  We hear you.  We hear it all the time.  “Why Kusala?”, “What does Kusala mean?” or “Ku-saal-a?”   While the pronunciation of this Sanskrit text is a bit of a mystery, even to us, we pronounce it as "Kew-sal-a".

While the word kusala is most often found within the context of the Buddhist traditions it’s here, in working-class America, where we weave the definition of the word with the spirit of the massage and bodywork traditions and intend a favorable outcome with everything we do. 

Here's a few definitions for you to read through.  First, a few of our own, then followed with a formal definition taken from The Oxford Dictionary ... 

Kusala:  A Sanskrit word defined by virtue and good intention – destined to fulfill your life with happiness, wholeness and total well-being. 

Kusala (Pali, Sanskrit)
"In early Buddhist texts, the skillfulness which enables one to abstain from committing those actions which retard or obstruct spiritual development and to limit oneself to doing only those actions which help and bring about spiritual development. The operation of a kusala volition brings about a three-phased development. First, it provides the moral strength to abstain from those actions which are harmful to spiritual development; second, it prevents the reactivation of the harmful and undesirable emotions so suppressed; and third, the emotions which were rendered inactive by suppression are completely removed, resulting in total and lasting direction to spiritual development..." - The Oxford Dictionary. . .

Kusala didn't just come out of thin air mind you.  While the possibilities were endless when choosing this name it was directly influenced by a close spiritual teacher who, upon inquiry, kindly reminded us that the name of our next endeavor would start with the letter "k".  After some research our choices came down to two.  The first, "karuna", is a Sanskrit word which means compassion. While compassion is one of our values, the verbal ebb and flow of "Karuna Alternative Healthcare" just didn't sound, or feel, quite right.

The second, "kusala" took some time to mesh with us although, in the end, won us over with it's purely benevolant definition with both the spirit of happiness and the intention of a favorable outcome.  So, here we are, officially happy as an intentional Kusala Alternative Healthcare. 

We’re also happy to see that we’re not the only ones who’ve invited the spirit of happiness into our lives and businesses.   Take a look at
Kusala Yoga, a Greenpoint, NY yoga practice.  Or, Kusala Information Systems who were wise enough to have acquired the singular domain name when they did.  Or, perhaps, The Kusala House where lay-practitioner’s easily fall into retreat with their practice of Theravadan Buddhism in the hamlet of Harnham, Northumberland U.K.  Rounding out the list of fellow Kusalian's include Kusala Wellness ι Holistic Weight Management in NYC and just a plain, old fashioned Kusala.net where the user encourages you to "Get connected to good Karma".  There's even word in the markeplace that a Kusala Home Improvement exists somewhere in New Jersey.   

Amongst our most favorite fellow Kusalian's is found at kusala1.blogspot.com where the author simplifies the subtle complexity of this benevolent word into a singular, simple and easy to remember definition:  “Action characterized by kusala-kamma is bound to result eventually in happiness and a favorable outcome…” - It does have a nice ring to it.

It’s in the spirit of Kusala, and with the invitation of happiness and a favorable outcome, where we connect with our customers, our practitioners, our vendors and communities alike and it’s with that same invitation of happiness that our doors remain open, for your own happiness and total well-being, any time you’d like.