Understanding Doshas and the elements is a big part of Ayurveda basic knowledge. Elements are the foundation of the universe. All creation is a version and a mixture of the 5 elements. Vedic philosophy always use the 5 elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether as a base to explain different concepts. Ayurveda uses the concept of doshas to explain the body constitution or the biological make up of humans. Then at a subtle level, we can still use the doshas and the gunas to further understand the make up of the subtle bodies, including the emotional and mental. Chinese traditional medicine, philosophy and astrology uses the concept of elements too as other ancient civilizations did, including Vedic sciences.
Why are the elements, a common concept, used to describe and break down such high level and abstract ideas? The answer is simple. It is because the universe is as complex as it can get while being as simple as it can get at the same time. We use bricks to build a house, for example. The building is using the same type of brick to bring up the wall. The brick is created out of special mix of materials. We can say that the brick is a combination of the elements and the buildings are different creations of the universe. Then the building would use other things like tiles, roof materials which are a combination of elements in different ratios that brings the unique texture or identity to that material. This is one way to describe the elements as the building blocks of the universe.
Elements are part of Prakriti or primal matter. This is what the material, perceivable universe is made out of. Purusha is the spirit or the oversoul who is consciousness looking to further the knowledge and learning. Prakriti is the building materials in the form of the five elements that is available to create worlds and bodies for the Purusha to experience. Understanding the Doshas and the Elements play a big role because they both are related to each other and Doshas are made out of the 5 elements.
For the purposes of understanding the existence and the body that we are in, I will explain the idea of the 5 elements in this article in simple terms using the qualities of each element. This will help you understand the power behind each element and how they play a role in the world and in your individual life. By understanding the elements in their simple form, you will be able to apply them to your daily lifestyle in living a more conscious and Ayurvedic type lifestyle to bring inner peace. Understanding Prakriti is one of the fundamental pursuits in the Vedic sciences as understanding Prakriti is understanding the way the universe works. This helps to work with the energies in your favor.
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Earth
Earth element is described as the heaviest of all the five elements. Think of the soil or literal earth. It is the densest. It is self containing, which means it has stay within itself contained and be a container to other elements such as earth holding water in the form of lakes for example. It can hold other aspects of earth like trees, humans and structures without the need for additional support. Another quality is that it is fixed, shown by how earth does not move on its own. There is steadiness about it that is grounding. Other attributes are hard, rough gross, dense and tough.
When applying this to the doshas, Kapha dosha is what represents the element of water and earth. Kapha body types tend to be heavy set, most likely to put on weight and tend to be slow at doing things. Just like how it is difficult for earth to move on its own and tend to be heavy to hold things down, Kapha body types also can be categorized as such. They love to eat, comforts of life, sedentary lifestyles where they don’t have to be too active and staying in one place for long periods of time. The body also retains much of the food they eat so it is very easy for them to put on weight.
When it comes to their emotional nature, they are like to attach to people or things, more loving and avoids confrontations. Just like how earth holds things in place for a very long time, earth people also have that steady nature. They are most likely to stick around in relationships even when it get tough to. Mental nature would be that they don’t like changes and often respond adversely to sudden changes. If untouched by natural forces, forests would look the same for years. Just as this people with the earth qualities also love to make a nest of their own and stay in the same home, community and associate with the same people all their life.
Water
Water is moist and heavy just like the bodies of water such as the ocean, rivers or lakes. It cannot be in a place and is moving, so earth supports water by holding it in place. Being the second densest element, it is heavy as we can see by the destruction water causes in the form of natural disasters. Another quality of water is its cooling nature. The soft and smooth nature of water allows it to flow easily form one place to another.
The moist quality is emphasized on individuals who are Kapha nature through the skin being soft, well lubricated, big eyes, body showing plumpness as evidence of their water retention ability. The skin, nails and eyes would be pale or whitish with slow movement. Their bodies will show evidence of holding weight than other doshic types. The hair will be thick as their bodies lean towards health and wellness, if they take care not to indulge in too much food and not live a sedentary lifestyle. Their big bone structure also adds to the physical qualities in certain cases.
Water is associated with emotions so the emotional investment to everything will be shown by those who have Kapha with the water element in their bodily constitution. The flowing motion of water will be part of the personality where it will show as congeniality, adaptation to people and interest in knowing people at a deeper level. Kaphas take their time getting to know people and will form lasting or long term bonds with people. On the negative time, once they get offended, it is likely that they will remove that person from their circle of friends.
Fire
Fire is hot just like the actual fire that we are familiar with. It has a transformative quality that can change the chemical structure of the substance that it comes into contact with. With the quality if lightness, it is able to travel anywhere while the attribute of sharpness gives it the ability to penetrate through things. It works closely with the element of air for movement and intensity. Just like how a fire can help cook, it can be helpful. At the same time just as a forest fire can be destructive, there is an aspect of uncontrollability and unpredictability in the element of fire. There are different types of fires in the form of Agni. Agni in the GI tract is the digestive fire. Agni in the form of spiritual fire is Tejas that shows up as a glow in the skin. There is the fire of perception that allows us to digest our experiences in the mental body.
When it comes to the doshas, fire element is reflected in the Pitta dosha. The reddish skin and reddish eyes will be the most notable physical attributes in an individual with a Pitta dosha dominant body. The nails will be pinkish. Their face will look flushed. The body frame will be medium built with prominent, lean muscles. The lifestyle will be fast paced, goal oriented, with purpose and with more stress compared to other doshas. They are likely to be attracted to spicy, oily food and alcohol but to be healthy, it is better to lean towards a more bland diet. Their appetite will be high as their digestive power is also high. The bodies are able to destroy infections and bacteria. Health will be good when the diet is taken care of and stress is reduced.
The emotional nature of the Pitta doshas tend to be passionate, easily angered and quick. They live with a purpose and armed with a competitive spirit, achieving quick successes is their forte. Their friends picked based on a specific goal or partnership. They make good friends and leaders if the anger and passion are controlled. Most have a sharp sense of perception and is able to understand and learn faster. They like making changes for a bigger purpose. The goals fuels them forward in life.
Air
Air is light and has the ability to move easily. Just like the wind, it is mobile with the ability to move fast or slow. It is clear and subtle so there is not ability to hold it in a physical state or see it like the previous 3 elements. Yet, an empty cup is filled with air as it has the ability to fill space. The dry nature can be noticed in the way wind can dry your hair or how we put clothes out to dry. It is rough can the dry nature removes moisture from the surface.
Air element is associated with Vata dosha. Those with a Vata predominant body frame is thin with bone structure showing. The skin will show signs of dryness and will be duller and more darkish in color. Eyes will be smaller, dry and more smaller compared with Kapha and Pitta doshas. Their appetite will be inconsistent as it will depend on their emotions. Negative emotions will reduce their appetite whereas positive emotions encourages a ore hearty appetite due to their increased emotional sensitivity. They need to eat healthy and make sure to have regularity in eating meals. Vata types are also the most likely to get sick because of the cold and sensitive nature.
Emotionally, they tend to be sensitive with mood swings. The flow of ideas in their mind helps them to be quick witted and perceptive. They are able to understand high abstract thoughts and esoteric knowledge than the other two doshas. Since the thought process is quick and frequent, they may be lost in their thoughts as well. It is important for them to sort through ideas and emotions. Another aspect about them is that their ability to make friends from all walks of life. They have a wide array of friends and acquaintances though those friendships are not at a deeper level like the Kaphas. They make good innovators and adapts well to situations.
Ether
Ether is the most subtle element and the lightest. It is soft and is the least densest out of the 5 elements. This element is more related to space and cosmos. It is also linked with consciousness and higher intelligence. Ether can be compared to the vacuum like nature of space.
When it comes to doshas, it is associated with the Vata dosha. It has similar characteristics of Air when it comes to the body type. Ether links more to the mental nature than physical in the sense that the perception is more clear. They are able to achieve enlightenment faster with proper discipline using this element. It is the void or nothingness. When meditated upon, it can give the light of illumination and wisdom, accessing the ideas that are beyond human understanding.
The emotional nature is also similar to air yet there is a controlled facet to it. For a Vata dosha to calm the ever mobile nature of the air element, ether element will provide the anti-mobilty to focus. There is a higher and nobler nature to this element that helps with meditation and focused concentration. This helps in the spiritual path and seeing beyond the physical world.
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