Earth

Dosha Kapha, Pitta and Vata

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DOSHA KAPHA

So as we already know, Dosha Kapha is the “mucus” in our body. The Human Body relies on this Dosha for the material part of the body, for the adhesion of the molecules and giving them a specific form. This principle/Dosha, works on the levels of cell, molecule, organ and the body as a whole.

Because “mucus” is compound of the elements – Water and Earth, it is cold and slimy formation. The excessive increase of this Dosha leads to accumulation of cold mucus in the body, in the beginning from the top of the body to the diaphragm. The ancient Tibetan recorded that when this Dosha increases excessively in the body the following symptoms will display:

1.The urine will be colorless, with negligible vapor and odor.

2. The tongue and gums white, insipid taste in the mouth.

3. Snot and phlegm in the head and chest, depression, tightness in the chest.

4. Aggravation of mucosal disorders, (in cold, damp weather).

5. Swollen eyelids, eyes whitish.

6. Disturbed appetite, impaired digestion.

7. There is no heat, the body swells, pustules appear on the skin.

8. The kidneys hurt, lower back, joints are inactive, itchy skin.

9. Poor memory, drowsiness, weakness.

DOSHA PITTA

This is the Dosha compound from the elements Water and Fire. It is responsible for the maintenance of the temperature in our body, as well as all the physiological reactions- digestion, metabolism, immunity. e.x. This is “the fire of our own body”, not from an outside source.

The excessive increase of this Dosha in the body leads to accumulation of “heat” in the body. Body temperature rises, the digestion is upset. The symptoms of the excessive increase of Dosha Pitta a

1.The urine is yellow-reddish, with a strong vapor and odor.

2. The tongue is covered with thick coating, sour taste in the mouth.

3. Red-yellow sputum, brackish; thirst

4. Exacerbation of bile disorders

5. Headaches,body burns, dry in the nostrils.

6. Yellow-red clouds in the eyes, sudden cramps.

7. Insomnia at night and during the day can not fall asleep.

8. Sweating, smell

DOSHA VATA

This Dosha is responsible for the circulation in our body. It includes all the multiple paths of movement: airflow during inhalation and exhalation,the quickness of thought processes, the circulation of the blood (sanguimotion), lymph and other liquids, the speed of chemical reactions in the cell and the biological process in general,the removal of feces, urine, mucus and e.x. The best way to express this principle is the abstract concept of movement,”the wind” in our body. We think of a movement when we can see something change location in space, but we don’t see “the moving power” behind it. Because this Dosha is compound of Ether and Air, it has “dry” and “cold” properties. If this Dosha increases excessively in the body:

1. The urine is clear as water, foams, after settling remains clean.

2.The tongue is red, dry and rough, astringent taste in the mouth.

3. Cough with muddy phlegm, constipation.

4. Pain in the lower back, sacrum and the acetabulum, as well as in many other joints pain is observed as from “beating”.

5. Weight loss, dry skin, stabbing pain in the neck, chest and jaw

6. Desire to move, the breath is haltingly, the consciousness is excited.

7. The head goes numb and dizzy, tinnitus, insomnia, tremor and twitching.

So now we know the basic symptoms when the three Doshas are out of balance. Next we will dive into more detailed description of each Constitution and will do a quick quiz to find out our individual constitution.

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Mental – Psychological Health

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Mental Health is more than just an absence of psychological symptoms or fitting within some statistical norms. It is being in harmony with your physical environment, family, colleagues, friends and one’s inner-self or spirituality. When we describe issues in those areas, we use the terms psychological and mental interchangeably. These terms are often perceived differently from different people and can determine how an individual is treated.

Our society holds the prejudices that psychological problems are results of environmental factors or social circumstances and mental challenges on the other hand are seen as genetic faults or individual weaknesses. This puts stress/blame on the individual and points to inner responsibility for the problem. Farther more it suggests chronic state that is constant and cannot be “cured or improved”, just controlled, readily with medications.

 

Cautious is required when we categorize people for research and insurance purposes, but let us remember that the DSM is not a sacred text and it is meant to help in making treatment decisions, but not to dictate them. Approaching this issue asks for sensitivity, meeting the individual where he is, respecting of each person’s uniqueness, individuality and culture.

Identifying psychological challenges, the clinician examines the social environment that is affecting the patient and builds his hypothesis on the socio-personal model. The treatment is based than on correcting, improving, or integrating missing skills in the family system, or any other existential area – friends, colleagues, or inner self. Mental problems are identified by observation of symptoms and experiences that culminate in the psychiatric diagnosis.

The facts:

  1. Every one’s well-being is affected by the harmful influence of the environment. Social, moral, political, changes and distress in the society are often at the root of the “symptoms” and do not have individual solutions and are outside of the individuals control.
  2. The researches expose that the individual is better able to make positive changes in himself and his environment when he understands that there is nothing inherently wrong with him. The change is initiated when the symptoms are re-framed or not placed at all in the frame of “pathology”.
  3. A “therapeutic” relationship can be established only when the individual realizes his personal power, strengthened by the equal respect. This is achieved by actively involving the person in defining the challenges and conceptualizing the treatment strategy.
  4. The individual regains his power when his values and his views of the world are given priority.
  5. Meditation, yoga and variety of relaxation techniques are showing remarkable results in influencing the biochemistry and work of the brain and the whole body.
  6. The Bio-Psycho-Social model is commonly accepted today, but there are many areas of research that require reconsideration, dialog in regards to the focus and the nature of change and direction we want to go.

Our own personal experiences and thousands of clinical observations convince us that the traditional academic theories fail to answer basic questions about our psyche or soul and human consciousness. The main consequence from that is that many states or “disorders” accepted by the modern psychiatry as pathology, and treated with suppressive medications, in reality are “psychological/spiritual complications”, soul’s crisis, that holds healing and transformational potential, when used and guided accordingly.

The research of the nature and origin of consciousness and the dimensions of the human psyche/soul crashes the common myth of the materialistic science that consciousness is epiphenomenon of matter, product of neurophysiologic processes, happening in the brain. The research reveals that consciousness is the original undivided property of the living, able to perform variety of actions, which the brain itself cannot complete. According to these modern researches, human consciousness is implicated and is part of the absolute field of universal consciousness, sustaining all that is.

The established academic psychology and psychiatry use the model of the psyche/soul, which is limited by the biology, the biography after birth, and the Freudian individual unconsciousness. However, if we really want to explain all of the phenomenon of the consciousness, our understanding of human psyche/soul should be deepened and expanded.

Mental or psychological symptoms or simply any emotional discomfort is just a response to our imbalanced understanding of our inner and outer environment.  Every one can easily identify, in his own context, which social messages and pressures are contributing to the symptoms or problems. When we silence the outer noise, we all can hear our inside voice, our true inner self, which if given a chance will grow stronger, clearer, louder, giving us confidence and guidance in our path to balance/happiness.

 

Being Balanced/Healthy

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All ancient scripts from around the world provide guidance and suggestions on how to keep our bodies healthy. Happiness is revealed as a natural state of being in response to healthy living.   We already know that our body is a sophisticated device; lets investigate what keeps it full of energy and life.

Our “soul level or body” is strengthened by everything positive we experience – from the miracle of a newborn life to the delightful observation of a gorgeous flower. The focus on the beauty of Life, on the amazing wonders of Nature gives us the highest feelings of admiration. Realizing and being part of the Universal harmony and Perfection fills our beings with love and gratitude.

Our “conscious level or body” is maintained by our creativity and constructive aim. According to Carl Jung, human beings are able to tap into the “Collective unconsciousness” or the unconscious mind. He believed that this is the source of art and it is the deep memory of human kind. Transpersonal psychologists see direct connection between the individual development and the evolution of human kind. The fetus progresses through a single-celled organism to a multicellular organism, fish, amphibian, animal, taking finally human form. The followers of the transpersonal psychology find answers beyond the individual memories after the birth event. Experiments point out that on a deep level, there is undoubtful connection between people, connection that cannot be explained if limited only to the knowledge of the afterbirth individual biography.

This level of consciousness is not only a deep source of memories and life paths, it is an engine that powers our ambitions and makes our goals come true. The role of the environment on this level is huge. The scientist know that the frog egg that falls on the algae  will develop into frog, but the one that falls on the bottom, will give live to the algae. Environment determines the dysfunctions in the conscious level. Miraculous recoveries from deadly illnesses show the unlimited possibilities of our conscious level, when we focus and align ourselves with the Universal balance.

Our “thought level or body” is strengthened by the absence of strong emotions and stress. Relaxation, meditation, sleep, spending time with friends and loved ones, visiting beautiful places and healthy diet sustain this level.

Our “subtle body or plasma level” is connected with our breathing, energy and biofields.  Active lifestyle – outdoor activities, (energy exchange with the Earth and all living), moving is direct interaction with the energy, which is charging us. Consistence and systematically increasing the intensity of the exercises create strong subtle body. It should become a lifestyle, because it quickly dissipates if not charged.

Our “physical body or level” is maintained by everything that makes strong the rest of the levels. Food has critical part – the quality of eating – following the physiological mechanisms of digestion and absorption.

This is a simplistic take on the sophisticated mechanism, which is the physical body. It 99 % of the mass is from the following biogenic elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, calcium, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, sodium. The slightest change (especially oxygen) in their intertwinement leads to imbalances in the body and susceptibility to illness.

It is obvious that in order to possess absolute health, all levels of the human body should be kept operating properly. One of the reasons why medications do not work is because they target only the physical body and leaving residue in the organs, interfering even farther with the natural balance of the body, the diseases develop into a chronic illness. Positive attitude towards life is not only something we may accept or not – it is required for a long healthy living. Honest, clean thoughts, combined with a noble goals and aspirations, being close to our natural environment – Nature and all living, will give us the most precious gift – healthy, fulfilling life.