Balancing the Elements Within
Ayurveda teaches us that we are made up of the same elements as all of nature—earth, water, fire, air, and space (sometimes called ether). We are each born with a particular balance of these elements, which makes up our natural constitution. At the moment of conception, we are in perfect balance. However, staying in balance is a dynamic process and at any moment we are some distance away from our most natural state. The further away we are, the worse we will feel. The less like ourselves we will feel.
The five elements work in pairs in our systems through what we call doshas. Vata is air moving through space, and is responsible for all movement—from the air we breathe to neurons sending signals to the creative ideas roaming our imaginations. Pitta is fire moving through water (mostly in the form of acid), and is responsible for all transformation—from our digestive fire to red blood cells fighting invaders to the light of discernment within our minds. Kapha is earth moving through water, and is responsible for all structure and stability—from our muscles and bones to our stamina to our ability to feel contentment and compassion.
Ayurveda also describes the qualitative attributes of all things in nature through 20 pairs of opposites called gunas. Everything is on a spectrum between these pairs—for example, from hot to cold, mobile to static, cloudy to clear. The doshas themselves fall onto these spectrums of the gunas, each with qualities that pertain to the elements within them. As air and space, vata is light, dry, subtle and clear. As earth and water, kapha is dense, cloudy, heavy and static. As fire and water, pitta is hot, light, sharp and mobile.
In Ayurveda, the guiding principle to bring balance and harmony is:
Like attracts and increases like and opposites bring balance.
So if we begin to understand three things: 1) our natural constitution, 2) the qualities of the doshas and 3) how to balance these qualities, we have the foundation we need for practicing balance in our lives.
Using opposites to bring balance can apply to anything in our lives, from the food we eat, to the way we engage in exercise or conversation, to the types of materials we wear on our bodies. For example, to balance the hot, sharp nature of pitta, we might practice having cooling foods (especially in the summertime) and being sweet and loving in the way we speak to ourselves or to others.
One of the most beautiful things about Ayurveda is that the principles are simple, but your depth of understanding and practice can continue to grow with you throughout your lifetime. The most important guides are your own awareness and intuition. The wisdom contained in Ayurveda is a reflection of the truths you already know deep inside. It helps guide you back to your innate wisdom, so that you can better flow in harmony with your true nature.
Be curious, be playful and let nature be your guide into exploration!
References
- Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash