''Matter is energy and what seems solid is but a static appearance of innumerable subtle moving forcesI"-David Frawley
Ayurveda teaches that the world and everything we experience is no more than the play of energy that condenses from primordial space; energy in different forms but behaving with cosmic intelligence, according to the laws of nature. We have already discussed how the human body is viewed as being formed by the collesion of the five elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth which combine to form Vata (ether and air), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth) doshas and these doshas give the body various distinctive characteristics. These elements and the intelligence or rules by which they come together are types of energy. Looking to western tradition, it is energy which has been recognized by quantum physicists as the true building block of the universe, both inside of us and everywhere else.
Ayurveda teaches that on the most basic level human beings are energy bodies dancing in the energy soup of our whole universenot distinct &om it but deeply, fundamentally connected to it. Realizing this, it is easy to understand why the world around us influences our whole being down to smaller than atomic level. Not only does our world influence us, but it does so according to cosmic rules. The rule that "like increases like" is demonstrated in how energies outside of the body that are like the ones inside of the body will increase those like energies in the body. And as has been described at some length, opposite qualities to those inside the body help to balance the energies in the body.
How these outside energies in£I.uence our body is through the various sense fields that we havt; each of which is associated with a particular dosha of the body. The senses themselves, having various qualities, demonstrate their affinity to particular doshas.
Vata, a combination of ether and air elements, has an affinity to that which produces resonance (sound) and sense of presence (touch).
Pitta: a combination of fire and water elements, has an affinity to that which is exposed by the light of fire (sight) and our awareness that something is present in space and being able to discern what it is. Thus Pitta helps us to be aware of sights, colors, and forms.Kapha, a combination of earth and water elements, has an affinity to deeper senses of appreciation for distinction through smell and taste; taste which not only is associated with the tongut; but has an actual quality of savoring and satisfaction.People who have a dominantly Vata constitution will thus be most strongly influenced by sound and touch, Pitta constitutions by sights, and Kapha constitutions by tastes and smells.
As each individual is a unique mixture of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha energy, each will have a proportionately varying ability to "sense"the world around the.m. This inherent sensitivity to specific forms of sensory impression based on constitutional type is the basis for the use of the subtle therapies that utilize aroma, color, gems, fabrics, sound and prayers.The Vedas were written in ancient times when life was not necessarily more harmonious, but certainly more natural. People were in closer contact with the earth and the changes of the seasons. Their experience of the natural world was fuller Today we have traded this type of direct and rich experience for comfon and convenience. More people now live in cities, spending more of their waking hours in man-made environments. Simple things like light and heat that once ruled our work and sleep patterns have become controllable at the flick of a switch. Foods from all over the world are available to us year round, abolishing seasonal selection. Seemingly, we have more control, but the further we get from natural rhythms, the more stressed our daily living becomes. Why? Because on a fundamental level so many modem conveniences disturb the natural flow of our body energy. Given that we cannot all drop out and get back to nature, what can be done to help restore our own natural balance in modem times?
Lifestyle and diet have been discussed. I now want to more closely examine the more subde therapies alluded to earlier. I do so not only for a sense of completeness and because there is increasing interest in them, but also because of their direct and strong influence on the doshas, which in turn influence our sense of well being.
Ayurveda is not a dogma, but a growing body of information aimed at helping people towards a full and rich life. So, while much of the information in this chapter is traditional, I have also integrated some modem research data and applications that are in keeping with the spirit and philosophy of Ayurveda.
|
