Guest Bio

Dylan Smith is an Ayurvedic practitioner and holistic health educator based in Byron Bay, Australia. Founder of Vital Veda, Dylan shares the principles of Ayurveda through consultations, courses, and his podcast. He has trained extensively with the renowned Raju family of South India and brings deep lineage-based knowledge into a modern, relatable context. With a background in Vedic Meditation and a lifelong connection to the Vedic tradition, Dylan is passionate about helping people enliven their natural health through rhythm, routine, and awareness.

Key Topics Covered

Growing up in a meditating family and rediscovering practice as an adult

The moment that shifted Dylan’s path from architecture to Ayurveda

Why health isn’t something to fix — it’s something to enliven

Daily rhythm and the science behind it (including circadian medicine)

The synergy between Vedic Meditation and Ayurvedic treatments

Simple lifestyle shifts: hot water, early bedtimes, mindful digestion

How Ayurveda adapts across climates, cultures, and constitutions

Why Dylan encourages patients to “transcend food rules” and go back to principles

Notable Quotes

💬 “It wasn’t a big aha moment. I just said, ‘Okay.’ And that was the beginning.”

💬 “You don’t need to treat the disease. You enliven health — and the body remembers.”

💬“Meditation is the foundation. But it’s not the house. Ayurveda helps you build the rest.”

💬 “You feel it in the pulse — meditators have lightness. Even under stress, that clarity remains.”

Timestamps

00:00 — Introducing Dylan Smith and his Vedic roots

04:00 — Childhood exposure vs. conscious return to meditation

07:00 — The Deepak Chopra moment and pivot to Ayurveda

11:30 — What Ayurveda really is: dharma, rhythm, and the four aims of life

16:00 — Digestion, fruit rules, and transcending food dogma

18:50 — How meditation complements Ayurvedic healing

22:00 — Treating the nervous system: differences in meditators’ physiology

25:00 — Simple daily tools: hot water, early sleep, living in rhythm

30:00 — Waking up early, morning energy, and creative clarity

Links & Resources

Dylan Smith’s website: https://vitalveda.com.au

Vital Veda Podcast: https://vitalveda.com.au/podcast

Instagram: @vitalveda

Dr. Raju clinic in India: https://www.drraju.com

Recommended reading: Perfect Health by Deepak Chopra

Learn to Meditate: https://www.londonmeditationcentre.com/learn-to-meditate

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Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae.

Original music by Rich Jacques.
https://www.richjacques.com

Graphics by Elle and Elle.
http://www.elleelle.com

Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired?