Ayur (Life) – Veda (Science)
Ayurveda literally translates to “The science of Life.”
Ayurveda while most commonly known as an ancient Science of Health and Medicine, it is foundationally a sacred expression of the higher knowledge of the cosmos/be'ing we are.
Ayurveda acknowledges that what we perceive relatively as a separate unit is actually a part of an indivisible whole. We are/ All is nature. The extensively recorded scriptures and books of Ayurveda offer us overarching principles of matter, energy, and the relationships of all things that we experience in and as this physio-psycho-emotional body-mind-world.
While its knowledge may feel like an ocean, its approach to wellness is simple and intuitive. It recognizes that ease, well-being, and a state of innate peace/joy/contentment is our natural state and its objective first and foremost is to approach healing by looking at the balance of the mind-body-spirit and its lifestyle practices. Natural therapies and herbal remedies are recommended only when a conditiont truly requires intervention and/or is advanced.
ॐ नमामि धन्वन्तरिं आदिदेवम I सुरासुर वन्दिते पद पद्मम् II
लोके जरा रुक् भय मृत्यु नाशनम् I धतर्मिशम् विविध औषधिनाम् II
Namami Dhanwanthari Aadi Devam, Surasura Vandit Paada Padmam,
Loke Jara Rugbhay Mrityu Naasham, Daataaram Eesham Vividhaushadhinaam
I surrender to the sacred energy I name Lord Dhanvantari.
I receive the grace of its be’ing and blessing.
May my world wake up from suffering and dis-ease
to the truth of its innate nature as freedom and well-being.
- Lord Dhanvantri Invocation
The God/Energy of Ayurveda is praised as Lord Dhanvantri.
A 5,000 year oldest known documented health care system.
Holistic Approach - considers all the levels of the individual – body, mind, and spirit.
Personalization – customized solutions based on an individual’s unique needs
Emphasizes prevention - offers long lasting results as it looks at the root cause of imbalance.
Natural and sustainable for us and our planet
Accessible to all and cost-effective.
Empowers one to take responsibility for their own well-being.
ORIGIN, HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda developed in the Indian subcontinent thousands of years ago and was originally practiced through oral tradition before they were eventually translated into Vedic texts, commonly known now as the Vedas. Of the four Vedas, Ayurveda is documented in Atharveda (earlier than 5000BCE) and subsequent texts.
Although many of these texts have been lost over time, an abundant body of knowledge still survives.
The Vedas are the oldest compilation of higher knowledge and wisdom. Originating from/through/as Cosmic Consciousness/Shruti, the wisdom of Ayurveda was intuitively received by the heart-minds of the Seers/ancient Spiritual Scientists called Yogrishis. The Yogrishis perceived that Consciousness was pure energy. A manifestation that could be perceived/experienced as five basic principles or Elements - The Panch Maha Bhutas - Ether/Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
The MaIN THREE Ayurvedic literature WRITTEN after the Vedas -
Charak Samhita by Charak of Atreya Rishi’s school (1st Century BCE)
Sushrut Samhita by Sushrut of Dhanvanthari Dev’s school (6th Century BCE)
Ashtang Hridaya by Vagabhata of Kashyapa Rishi’s school (6th Century AD)
SUBSEQUENT Ayurvedic literature -
Sarangdhara Samhita
Madhav Nidana
Bhava Prakasha
EIGHT LIMBS OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda’s holistic system is categorized into eight different branches and is collectively known as Ashtang Ayurveda.
Ashtang means eight parts or limbs.
Kaaya Chikitsa Tantra (Internal Medicine)
Baala Chikitsa / Kaumara Bhritya (Pediatrics)
Graha Chikitsa /Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry)
Urdhayanga Chikitsa /Shalakya Tantra (Treatment of Eyes, Nose, Throat, Head related diseases)
Shalyaroga Chikitsa (Surgery)
Damstra Chikitsa/ Agada Tantra (Toxicology)
Jara Chikitsa Rasayana ( Geriatrics. Science of Rejuvenation)
Vrishya Chikitsa / Vajikarana (Science of Fertility and Aphrodisiac)
PANCHA MAHA BHUTAS
The 5 Foundational Elements
ETHER/SPACE. AIR. FIRE. WATER. EARTH.
This concept of the five elements lies in the heart of Ayurvedic Science. The Yogrishis perceived that in the beginning, the world existed in an unmanifested state of consciousness. From that state of unified consciousness, the subtle vibrations of the cosmic soundless sound OM manifested. From that vibration, first appeared The Ether/Space - Akasha element followed by the other four elements consequently
Air - Vayu, Fire - Agni, Water - Jala, and Earth - Prithvi.
Manifested Consciousness always is and arises through, as, from subtle and reflects, is perceived/experienced in, as the gross. This is the direction and flow of life experienced as/in physicality.
The word Pancha Maha Bhutas means ‘Five’ ‘Great’ and ‘Elements/That which exists’ or is experienced as existing’.
All that is perceived/experienced as a world of matter is made up of/a dance of the five fundamental elements/Pancha Maha Bhutas which also includes Humans.(Charaka .Samhita.Sutra Sthana 26/10).
This dance of the elements is/creates nature. Each individual has a unique panchabhautik constitution. This constitution dances in a paradoxical state of ever changing equilibrium in health and any imbalance results in dis-ease. Consciousness as alive elements is the foundation of all Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal kingdoms of which we as this Body-Mind are a part of as well.
While we may experience ourselves in/as a physical body-mind-world, ultimately, the Cosmos/Consciousness itSElf is the innate body-mind-world that experiences ‘living’
Purusha - The Holistic Human Being - is a manifestation/expression of the Panch Maha Bhutas/5 Elements and Chetana/Soul Consciousness.
- Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana, 1/16
The five elements manifest in the functioning of the five senses of man and its perceived physiology. The five elements are directly related to man's ability to perceive/sense the external environment in which he lives/experiences.
The Elements are also therefore directly related to how the sensory organs express and experience their world.
The basic elements Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth are related to Hearing - Shabda, Touch - Sparsha, Vision - Roopa, Taste - Rasa, and Smell - Gandha respectively.
A change in the balance of any element results in a change in the experience of one’s sense organs/sensing. Eg: An imbalance in the Fire element will be experienced as an imbalance in vision. Everything is dancing in relationship to and with each other.
We are - literally - consciousness experiencing/relating. No-thing exists. In isolation. Ayurveda fundamentally realizes and acknowledges this as nature.
Ayurveda defines Health as
सम दोष समाग्निश्च सम धातु मल क्रियाः |
प्रसन्न आत्मेन्द्रिय मन स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते ||Samdosha samagnischa samdhatu mal kriya |
Prassan atmendriyaman ha swastha iti abhidhiyate ||
- Sushruta Samhita 15.41According to Sushruta, the father of surgery, balanced Dosha (Humors), Dhatu (Building blocks/Tissues), Agni (Digestive fire) and Mala (Excretion) are key to experiencing optimum health. When our senses and body-mind are living (our) true nature, we naturally experience complete and total well-beingness.
When the subtle Doshas are in their unique perfect balance, the gross Dhatus (Building blocks/Tissues) formed are naturally healthy. We experience ease in our body-minds which translates to contentment.
Manifested Consciousness always is and arises through, as, from subtle and reflects in, as the gross. This is the direction and flow of life.
DOSHAS
The 3 doshas that make our Prakriti/manifested nature/constitution.
The five basic elements manifest in the human body as Humors and are known as Doshas. The three Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each manifested body-mind is a unique combination/expression of elements that constitutes their physio-psychological experience of being. The three Doshas are represented in everybody but in varying amounts. Some people may have a constitution that is more dominant in Vata, while an other may lean towards a Pitta-Kapha dominance.
In general, there are seven types of constitutions - Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Vata- Pitta mix, Pitta-Kapha mix, Vata-Kapha mix, and Vata-Pitta-Kapha mix.
PRAKRITI and VIKRITI -
The basic constitution of each individualized expression of consciousness is determined by the permutations and combinations of the elements manifest in the parents at the time of conception. This is Prakriti - relatively, nature as a particular body-mind expression. Vikriti is the current condition of the body-mind as it has been affected by the environment/life lived.
Energetically, these three elements Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are and determine the vibratory essence and govern all the biological, physiological, and psychological functions of the body-mind. They act as basic constituents and protective barriers for the body in its normal physiological conditions; when out of balance they contribute to disease processes. The three doshas are responsible for the arising of natural laws and for individual preferences in foods, their flavors, temperatures, and so on. They are responsible for the ways in which creation, maintenance, and destruction of bodily tissue and elimination of both waste products happen in the body. They, therefore, are also responsible for the experience of psychological phenomena such as emotions such as fear, anger, greed, and for the higher order of human emotions such as understanding, compassion, and love. Thus the Tridoshas are the foundation of the physio-psychosomatic existence of man.
WHAT IS MY PRAKRITI/NATURE?
While there is no person/expression exactly like another, there are predictable patterns of how Doshas in their permutations and combinations reflect and are experienced as nature. Learning our unique Dosha combination/Prakriti and understanding our constitution can reveal to us our natural inherent strengths, and also bring to light our greatest challenges.
Our Doshas affect everything in our life, from the way we experience this physical body, how we taste and digest food and how it shows up in and as our personality. As our understanding of our ways of being and doing expand, our capacity to use these insights to our advantage also improves.
Would you like to know what is your prakriti? Try the basic self calculating assessment sheet below.
What is my Prakriti/Nature?
Vata? Pitta? Kapha? Or a combination?
What is my Dosha?
Download the quick Self-assessment sheet here to find out!
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
TRIDOSHAS
I AM LIKE THE WIND
CoOL. ENERGETIC. FLEXIBLe.
Qualities - Light, Smooth, Subtle, Sensitive.
Primary Location - The seat of Vata is the Colon. Also found in hips, lower limbs, ears, bones, and skin.
On the thin/lanky side. Tend to be underweight.
Low muscle development. Flat chested.
Feel cold very easily and prefer warm weather.
Cold hands and feet. Dry hair and skin. Darker lip tone. Lean towards restlessness. Smaller eyes. Prominent veins and nerves.
Erratic hunger. Tendency to be constipated.
Fast breather. Sleep fewer hours than most.
Light sleeper. May struggle with insomnia. A vivid dreamer. Slightly faster heartbeat than usual.
Crave salty, sour, and sweet foods. Prefer hot/warm drinks. Flighty. Reactive. Low willpower. Tendency to be anxious or fearful.
Very Sharp. Creative. Visionary. The possibility of movement in anything/life is because of Vata. Quick to learn and adapt. Expressive. Adventurous. Curious. Easily fatigued and overwhelmed when unbalanced. Easily distracted. Imaginative. Quick to earn and quick to spend. Forgetful. Ungrounded. Impulsive.
Sometimes desires companionship and sometimes prefers solitude. Unpredictable. Shy of commitment. Lacks perseverance when imbalanced. Energetic. Lives and moves possibilities. Move through circumstances fairly quickly. Extremely Intuitive. When balanced highly adapted to change.
More on the physio-psycho expressions of DOSHAS in the Sacred Cleanse Program- Details below.
I AM LIKE THE SUN
Fiery. Passionate. RadianT.
Qualities - Oily, Hot, Sharp, Light, Fluid, Flowing, Viscous.
Primary Location - The seat of Pitta is the Navel/Belly.
Medium built. Athletic. Tend to be fairly of even weight. Fairer complexion. Pinkish or orange toned skin. With a tendency to flare.
Soft fine hair. Prone to balding. Sharp clear penetrating gaze. Feel mostly warm and may not prefer living in hot and humid places.
Overheats easily. Physically and psychologically. Sweat easily. Prone to heat-oriented disorders such as Acid reflux, Internal inflammation, irritated bowels, and skin rashes. Productive. Decisive. Maybe a night owl. Tends to be a workaholic. Disciplined. Wise. Creative. Charismatic. Enjoys a certain level of fame.
Courageous. Practical. Natural Leadership Qualities. Enjoys life’s luxuries. Makes friends easily. Sleeps well. Easily flustered or irritable. Has a quick temper. Cannot handle hunger or lack of sleep well. Creative. Mind driven. Perfectionist. Intelligent. Perceptive. Active. Alert. Strong metabolism. Hearty eaters. Ambitious. Energetic. Attractive. Well-spoken. Hard-working. Dependable. Multitasker.
I AM LIKE A TREE
STURDY. STEADY. DEPENDABLE.
Qualities - Oily, Cool, Heavy, Stable, Dense, smooth, Dull, Wet, Slow, Cloudy, Sweet, Sour, Salty.
Primary Location - The seat of Kapha is the chest.
Strong well developed body structure. Big bones and generous hips, chest, and thighs. Well lubricated joints. Tend to be overweight. Strong musculature. Rounder face. Larger eyes and full of compassion. Oily, soft, smooth, cool and pale skin. Thick hair that may tend to be wavy and oily scalp. Neutral body temperature. Sweaty hands and feet.
Body heats up easily. Prefer drier cooler places to live.
Prone to mucus and congestions. Gentle and mild natured. Calm and steady. Tolerant. Loyal. Loving. Trustworthy. Easy going. Wise. Prefer a slower pace of life than others. Generous. Forgiving. Present and grounded. Usually not motivated to exercise. Prefer to relax and can tend to be postponers. Money savers. May have a hard time letting go of personal possessions. Tend to oversleep. Slow decision makers. Never in a hurry.
Good regular appetite. May be emotional eaters. Overindulgent if not aware which may lead to sluggish appetite. Enjoy food and have a discerning palate. Crave pungent, bitter and astringent foods.
Emotionally stable. Excellent physical stamina when motivated and regular. Enjoy long and deep sleep.
Doshas & Dhatus
Energy and its perception/experience
of/in/as Matter.
Energy perceives/manifests/experiences Matter/Physicality. One may say, Matter needs Energy to move/live. Without the organizing of subtle Doshas, there can be no formation or functioning of gross Dhatus.
From the subtle is perceived/born the gross. That is why Doshas represent Energy and Dhatus represent Matter.
Dhatus are formed by the food we eat and therefore the Dosha nature of the food we eat and the consciousness with which we eat directly affects the Dhatus formed and the experience of our well-being in/as physicality.
The healthier and well-nourished our Dhatus, the more vital and vibrant we feel in the body-mind. Each Dhatu also creates subtler Dhatus called Upadhatus.
Any imbalance in any of the Dhatus affects the whole system.
Sapta Dhatus - 7 Dhatus.
There are seven Dhatus as listed. Each Dhatu nourishes the next in line.
Click the arrows for more details.
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RASA is the essence that is extracted from food after it is digested. It is the very juice of life that has all the nutrients to create and nourish all the other Dhatus. Rasa is formed in 24 hours of digestion. It forms the Plasma, Lymph, Serum. It’s Upadhatu is Breast Milk, Menstrual fluid and the interstitial fluids.
Rasa/Juice is pure nourishment. Related to the element Water, it is connected to the Earth + Water Kapha Dosha. An imbalance of Rasa is sensed first by one who is dominant in Kapha Dosha. Rasa (Water element) is affected by the imbalance of Vata and Pitta in the body. When the body-mind is rushing, over burdened, highly emotional, then the Agni (digestive fire) dulls and results in less or low quality Rasa.
Today’s modern day highly stressful multitasking life is the direct result of lowered Rasa. When we don’t taste or feel the juice of life, we naturally feel empty and unsatiated. Without Rasa’s water we literally experience “a thirst for the life that we are’ - We are unsatiated.
It is of utmost importance to be aware of the RASA in our life as its the very quality of this first Dhatu that determines the quality of all the following Dhatus. There is and can be no joy/love without feeling/being the juice of life.
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RAKTA Dhatu - Blood. Red. This Dhatu is all about living the passion of/that is life! Rakta Dhatu is more than the blood we see with our eyes. It is the every energy that burns as a fire and becomes the driving factor of how we choose to and experience living.
Connected to the fiery impassioned Pitta Dosha, it is hot, light, dry, hard, unstable, rough, flowing, clear, subtle and sharp.. This Dhatu is what circulates, energizes and moves life. Rakta Dhatu and Pitta Dosha are connected to the health of the Liver, Spleen Blood, Bone Marrow, Heart and Uterus.
In imbalance, when the Rakta Dhatu quality is diminished, one feels dull, low, and unaware. When this Dhatu is overheated it has a burning quality to it and the person feels irritated, and is very intense in all aspects of his/her life. This Dhatu is seen as the carrier of Prana.
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MAMSA Dhatu relates directly to muscle tissue. This Dhatu is nourished by the Rakta Dhatu and is what gives the body its locomotive capabilities. It is the “meat” in/of our physicality. When this is healthy, we feel our innate strength and willpower to manifest/ bring into matter/meat the desires that are simmering within us.
As this Dhatu is about “matter” it is directly related to Earth + Water = Kapha Dosha. Hot, heavy, dry, hard, unstable, rough, dense, cloudy, gross, and sharp are its qualities. The perfect balance of Earth and Water in our ways of being and doing/eating build healthy Mamsa Dhatu that are lean, flexible, strong with an ability to hold and create what is needed.
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MEDA Dhatu is compared to Fat tissue and aids in lubrication of the body. Primarily built from Water and then Earth, this Dhatu is influenced by Kapha Dosha as well. Its upadhatu is Sebum and it is found in the subcutaneous layer of the Skin, Heart, Joints, Kidneys etc. It serves as a protective layer for the organs.
Imbalanced in excess, this Dhatu becomes slow, and heavy and creates obstructions in the functioning/flow of the body. It stagnates blood circulation, adds friction to the flow and movement of other Dhatus. Emotionally therefore it brings about stagnancy, attachments, and stubbornness.
When in balance, psychologically, this Dhatu plays a stabilizing role for the being to feel centered, anchored, grounded and therefore be loving/be loved. It feels "protected and safe’ and this directly reflects how we experience our nervous system.
This Dhatu is intricately connected to Mooladhara/Root Chakra and Swadishtana Chakra. Both Chakras that align with our ability to feel safe and flow in and as life.
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ASTHI Dhatu, Bone tissue is the hardest and firmest Dhatu in the body. Strong, rough, dry and hard, it provides structure to the physical body. Hair, Nails, Teeth are its upadhatus. Asthi Dhatu is closely related to Vata Dosha. Aggravated Vata affects the bones and joints making them drier and brittle.
It is the reason that a Vata dominant person finds their body to be thin and more bony than others. A balanced Asthi Dhatu supports the body well and allows for smooth locomotion. When in balance, this Dhatu allows us to ‘carry on’ in and with life.
A thriving Dhatu translates psychologically into an ability to stand up for oneself. To be able to stand ground for what they believe in and be firm. When imbalanced, the same knowingness changes to stubborness. Life is experienced as hard and brittle and this is reflected in the mirroring quality of the hair, nails and teeth.
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MAJJA is related to all matter that fills bone cavities. Bone Marrow, Brain, Spinal Cord, Endocrine Glands, Nerve tissues of the body, etc. It is synonymous not just with Bone Marrow but with the entire Nervous system.
The nourishment of Majja begins approx 30 days after ingestion. Its Upadhatu is Tears. Its Mala is oily secretions from the eyes, skin, and feces. Mainly Earth and Water, it is ruled by Kapha Dosha. The Bone Marrow generates Red and White Blood cells and produces new cartilage, and connective tissue as needed.
This Dhatu is all about what is deep within. It is closely related to the way we experience feelings, emotions, and thoughts. The most important function of Majja Dhatu is “Poorna” - filling/fulfillment and filling of the void. When in balance, one feels fulfilled and innately complete and whole. The Nervous system is at ease and functions well.
MAJJA is related to all matter that fills bone cavities. Bone Marrow, Brain, Spinal Cord, Endocrine Glands, Nerve tissues of the body, etc. It is synonymous not just with Bone Marrow but with the entire Nervous system.
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The subtlest of all Dhatus, The SHUKRA Dhatu is pure potency. Shukra is related to our Sex Hormones, Reproductive organs mainly the Sperm and Female Ova. It means radiant, bright is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Shucha’ which means pure.
Shukra permeates the whole body and its health is reflected in the physicality and personality of a person who has an undeniable lustrous spark and inner charm. Shukra forms the last of the Dhatus which then radiates as Ojas. Ojas is the seed, the very essence that is life’s pure vital radiant potency.
It is no wonder then that relatively Life as pure creativity is an experience of the sexual energy we are.Hot, astringent, sour, and acidic in smell, Shukra s governed by the Kapha Dosha. A healthy immunity, intimacy with partner, innate vigour all signs of a balanced Shukra Dhatu. Unctuous, sweet, dense, heavy, slimy in nature Shukra differs from other tissues as it allows for procreation. Charaka said the Soul and mind use Shukra as a vehicle to transcend.
I AM. LIVING NATURE.
This living of manifested consciousness is Shakti/Mind and as energy her nature is movement and therefore experience and change.
Energy is. An ever-relating dance. No-thing. Is static. Living is constantly changing.
And this means that this ever-relating dance is also a constant balancing. As a dance, the Doshas express/experience themselves in a cycle that is a natural ebb and flow.
Eg: The time of the day from 6 a.m to 10 a.m is Vata dominant time after which the next 4 hours naturally shift to becoming more Pitta dominant to keep the balance. As each Dosha energy expresses/experiences itself dominantly in/as/through the day/night cycles, the same is mimicked when it comes to seasons and body-minds as well. Seasons dance the same ebb and flow of dominant Doshas, taking turns and expressing themselves accordingly in and as nature. As nature, our body-minds naturally feel the effects of all these movements/changes.
I AM. Living Nature. All IS. Relating.
THE EBB AND FLOW OF DOSHAS AND SEASONS
Nature is in a continuous state of change. Seasons are nature’s way of flowing/living its own change. An unaware and unaligned body-mind that does not live its own nature naturally finds itself experiencing ill health when it stands at odds with itself and the flow of seasonal changes.
ऋतुचर्या Ritucharya - Following the seasonal regimen helps body-minds live a healthier life by preventing diseases that occur due to seasonal derangement of Doshas.
Understanding the play of the Dosha in every season helps us make discerning choices based on how each season’s change directly affects our unique prakriti.
See the chart below.
Eg: Vata gets accumulated in Summer, aggravated in the Monsoon season and if the necessary seasonal routine is followed by living its own nature, Vata automatically pacifies itself in the following season of Autumn. That is why Autumn is a season where the nature of Vata is acknowledged and given due importance and attention. It is the perfect season to pacify and bring especially Vata into balance. If your Vata is already quite vitiated/imbalanced and you continue to live a lifestyle that promotes Vata - i.e: choose to eat high Vata foods such as dry foods, and cold drinks, live a fast paced life when you are being asked to slow down and go inwards, you sleep late, sleep less etc. - then you are guaranteed to experience disease and ill health going forward.
Another aspect to realize at this time is that Autumn is also the season where Pitta is in its possible aggravation phase after being accumulated in Monsoon. So Autumn to late Autumn is a perfect time to keep an eye on pacifying Pitta as well. It is the very reason why many cultures have fasting celebrations at this time that allow for this. Fasting, eating easily digestible carbohydrate-rich foods, and an easeful lifestyle all help the aggravated Pitta to calm down so the body can build a robust jataragni (digestive fire) for the coming winter ahead so heavier foods can be digested well to keep the body warm and comfortable.
With Vata and Pitta in focus during the Autumn months eating dense, grounding, wet, nourishing seasonal foods are highly recommended over dry and overly hot foods.
From one perspective, there are no hard rules to this. As each Prakriti is unique, living its current vikriti and its relationship to seasons equally unique, this is a very intuitive exploration. This is all about making small changes and sensing how it maybe working for you. If you are experiencing dis-ease or any type of serious ill-health, reach out to an Ayurvedic practitioner for guidance.
If you are in fairly good health and would like to explore this - join us for the Sacred Cleanse now! It’s the perfect time in the year to do this!
Each season offers us an opportunity to balance our health. See the chart below for more.
Doshas - In Relationship
Nature moves in cycles and has a natural ebb and flow which is reflected in every part of its body and mind. Macrocosm- Microcosm. We are life/nature. And when we tune into and live with nature’s rhythm, we naturally experience harmony.
Featured
RASA - Tasting Life
Ayurveda places much emphasis on tasting all the flavors of food for a fuller whole bodied sensory experience. Ayurveda sees Rasa, or Taste, as a powerful way through which we not only experience our food but ultimately, it is about how we perceive/live all the flavors of our very existence. How we do anything is how we do everything. How we taste, relate, and interact with our food is the same space from which / how we relate with all of life.
Taste is synonymous with life.
When we meet Rasas in, with, and as awareness, we experience their multifacetedness. On first contact with the tongue, we encounter their Pradhana Rasa i.e primary/dominant taste. That which is experienced after a small period of time is called Anu-Rasa (aftertaste). The chemical structures of interacting Tridoshas give rise to the dominant/primary Rasa and therefore the Doshas can be understood through Rasa. While all of the above are guidelines, what is being tasted is not just about what it is, but is also constantly being determined by the energy/prakriti that is tasting it. As all/life is dynamic, the Doshas, Seasons, Rasas always revealed themselves uniquely to each palate in new ways.
This dynamic living of consciousness, an experience of nature is all about relating.
This is what we explore in our Food for the Soul Cooking Sessions. Details below.
Madhura/Sweet taste is Vata and Pitta balancing (Shamaka) and increases Kapha (Prakopaka). Amla/Sour taste is Vata balancing and increases Pitta-Kapha. Lavana/Salty taste is also Vata balancing and increases Pitta-Kapha. Katu/Pungent is Kapha balancing and increases Vata Pitta. Tikta/Bitter taste is Pitta-Kapha balancing and increases Vata. Kashaya/Astringent is Kapha-Pitta balancing and increases Vata.
Intuitive Living
The Ayurvedic Way
SENSING OUR UNIQUE BALANCE
Ayurveda is (an art of) living nature.
Throughout life, there is a ceaseless interaction between the internal and external environment. Our level of awareness, the beliefs we carry, and how we relate with all parts of the perceived inner and outer world determine the choices we make and how we experience living/our world.
Living is an ever-changing process. The perceived/experienced internal and external weather of manifesting consciousness, an eternal flux. The principles of Ayurveda offer us guidelines and eventually point us to connecting with the deepest parts of ourselves so we may live life intuitively allowing the life we are to reveal itself to what we may need and discern what serves us best in any given moment.
Ayurveda only aims to educate and enable each individual to bring his body into a perfectly harmonious relationship with innate nature. It does not see its aim as simply treating/pacifying symptoms – it first and foremost intends to see the root of illness and dis-ease because it acknowledges and begins with the root - manifested consciousness/panchbhutas - the one that arises as the whole being.
Nature moves in cycles and so there is a pattern in which these Doshas exist and play their part as we go about our day and life. Understanding these cycles, flow, and patterns in life help guide us when we may find ourselves feeling off balanced and unable to connect to our deepest knowing.
Sense as you go about your day…how are you present and in constant relationship to what is in and around you? See and note down your tendencies. Observe your patterns.
How does a particular thought/food/choice make you feel? What creates the impulse to do/eat something?
What serves? What doesn’t? What is seeing, feeling, and interpreting what is?
What are the parts that influence the life we experience? What is the identity from, through, and as which I explore this?
When we take the ‘personal identity and its stories/familiar mind’ out of the equation for a bit, we can see how we/life is simply a unique dance of dynamic elements in every arising moment. As awareness/true Self, we can discern and choose our ways of being and doing wisely.
Ayurveda acknowledges and celebrates the Life we are/all is. An elemental play in, of, through, and as consciousness.
ॐ धन्वन्तरि नमः Om Dhanvantaraye Namaha!
“ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Niraamayaah |
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu
Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
We are that which reverberates as the sound Om.
I AM/All is Content.
All expressions innately free from suffering.
I AM/All is auspicious,
We awaken to our true nature beyond all suffering.
I AM everpresent Peace. Peace. Peace."
- Shanti Mantra, derived from a version from Garuḍa Purāṇa (35.51)
RESOURCES
Online
https://www.easyayurveda.com/
Deepest gratitude to Dr. JV Hebbar and his team for the wealth of information shared on these topics.
What foods suit my prakriti?
Food guidelines for Dosha type
A Personal Note
Hi! I am Supriya.
Thank you for be’ing (here). I hope what was shared above offered you a very small yet helpful glimpse into the vast higher knowledge of Ayurveda that was offered so generously to us by the Indian Yogi/Yoginis ages ago.
I wanted to add an important note here to let you know that while I share a lot here on this page in the context of Ayurveda, I am not an Ayurvedic Practitioner. This is simply a sharing of a personal exploration of “our nature” from an Ayurvedic perspective.
As always, my key focus lies only on how when we beyond the personal familiar mind live/move from, through, as Awareness/true Self, the very life we are, reveals itself (higher knowledge) to us in unique intuitive, and creative ways.
My explorations continue as I play with others on these topics. If you are interested in joining us, you’ll find the details below.
I hope to see/meet you there!
Much love.
EXPLORATIONS
At The Mystery School Members Circle
FOOD
for the
SOUL
From a Grandmother’s Pantry.
An Online LIVE Ayurveda Inspired Traditional Indian Cooking Gathering only @ Mystery School Members Circle.
Click on the image for more details and join us for this intuitive sensory celebration.
SACRED FALL-WINTER CLEANSE
I AM. LIVING. NATURE.
From Equinox till Winter Solstice.
Sept 22 - Dec 21, 2022
SACRED CLEANSE- An Ayurveda inspired intuitive Fall-Winter Dinacharya/Daily routine that helps the body-mind align with nature’s changes.
ऋतुविशेषवशाच्च आहारविहारसेवानप्रतिपादनार्थं ऋतुचर्याया: Rtuviśeṣavaṣācca Ahāravihārasevānapratipādanārthaṃ Rtucaryāyā
Every season brings change and with it the need to eat particular foods and follow certain routines. This is Ritucharya ऋतुचर्या
- अष्टांग ह्रुदय सूत्र ३/१ (Aṣṭāṃga Hridaya Sūtra 3.1)