A Life of Balance
Maya
According to the Vedas six qualities necessary to succeed
in any venture:
1. proper
effect
2. perseverance
3. courage
4. knowledge
of the given pursuit
5. skill
and resources
6. capacity
to overcome obstacles
The Food Body: Annamaya
Earth and Water (Kapha)
1.
An impaired food body indicates that the earth and water elements are
dysfunctional. These elements make up
the Kapha principle, the main structural support of creation. This Kapha principle, which is also in the
living entities, lubricates the universe and holds it together.
Diseases associated with the vitiation of Kapha proliferate
at the present time. The sticky
glutinous stuff that gels our cells together and glues us to the universe is
beginning to erode. The earth is losing
her magnetism and her ability to absorb.
All degenerative diseases occur as a result of deterioration of this
stuff that seals us together.
The spell that once compelled humans to observe nature is
broken. The spell, which beckoned us to
bask in the glow of the moon to transform and cool our energies, or to restore
our solar body through the rays of the sun, is now an inertia into which we
sink deeper each day. The replenishing
walk through the woods and the swim in the open stream or river are quickly
becoming faint specks of yesteryear.
As we continue to damage our external food body, our earth,
we witness an enormous increase in Kapha disorders. Life-forms are becoming more liquid, denser,
heavier, colder, cloying, and cloudy.
This is reflected in lung congestion and its relative, grief. Tonsillitis and sinusitis, and their
corresponding frustration and inertia, are on the increase. Extreme conditions, such as obesity,
anorexia, and bulimia, predominate as never before, with their matching
emotions of attachment and greed.
The Prana Body: Pranamaya
Air and Space (Vata)
1.
Pranamaya, the second layer of material self, is
sustained by the breath. Wind and air
are to the universe what the prana body is to humans, and all life-forms. The prana body is more subtle than the food
body. This vital air is responsible for
all bodily functions and urges.
2.
Each layer of consciousness is interlaced with other layers. The prana dosha of the planet is the Vata
dosha in the human. When the food body
of the planet and its inhabitants is violated and plundered, the whole balance
of prana is disrupted, both internally and externally.
3.
Once the food body is diseased, the prana body suffers. Memory function is the first to be
vitiated. Forgetfulness, which is
rampant in our world, is the direct symptom of pranic impairment. As a result, the cognitive self becomes less
accessible. Prana is the breath of the
universe. When the life force is impinged,
hunger, thirst, and deprivation caused by indulgence prevail.
4.
Prana is the kinetic force of the universe. Prana moves the air, water, nerves, and
memory cells, and controls expansion and contraction of the earth’s
surface. The ebb and flow of the oceans
and the moon’s orbit around the earth are propelled by prana.
5.
The sharp rise of heart-related diseases is due to the dysfunction of
bodily prana, or the Vata dosha.
6.
Planetary deterioration is more readily visible in this dosha because
prana is affected more easily than the food body, owing to its subtler nature.
The Mind Body: Manomaya
Fire (Pitta)
1.
Manomaya, the third layer of the material self, is
supported by the mind and its mental functions.
2.
Fire is to the universe what the mind is to humans.
3.
Manomaya, the transforming expression of consciousness, is the
propitious power of universal transmutation and the fire force of all
life-forms.
4.
As the earth metabolizes oxygen and fuel into fire, so the Pitta
function in the body metabolizes acids and enzymes to digest foods and
thoughts.
5.
Once the food and prana bodies are impaired, the more subtle body of the
mind is dramatically altered. From this
ominous transformation all destructive actions take birth. The abhorrent acts of fanaticism are the
result of a distorted mind body. The
savage turning of one human against another signifies the intense impairment of
the mental fire.
6.
Without respect for other living entities real self-knowledge cannot
manifest itself.
7.
The virtues, or dharmas, of sharing, embracing, giving, and
participating are all the brilliance, the tejas, reflecting from a happy
planet.
1.
Vijnanamaya, the fourth layer of the manifest self, is
sustained by universal intelligence.
(The Supersoul)
2.
Intelligence is the natural order of all life. Genuine human response is a resonance of
intelligence. When cognitive memory is
functioning, thoughts are resolved in inquiry and observation.
3.
The human is the only known species able to resolve thoughts within
intelligence. But to reaccess this
natural process of being, we need to remain alert to the harmony of all our
bodies. The food body depends on the
prana body, which in turn lives on the
mind body. The mind body rests in its
turn on the intelligence body. These
four bodies resolve only in the consciousness body.
The five bodies we have just examined are the principle
reflections of the universal structure.
They are our cosmic anatomy. When
we look at the creation, we see ourselves.
Unfortunately since what we see is a mirror image, our foremost
perception is of the densest body. Close
your eyes and all your senses of perception.
See the body without a mirror.
See consciousness to be the primal source. See intelligence taking birth from
consciousness, as the outermost layer. Next see the mind, and then prana, and
finally, the food body. This is the
natural order.
1.
The body contains numerous channels through which the dhatus, doshas, and malas
circulate.
2.
Known as srotas in Ayurveda,
these consist of both gross channels, such as the intestinal tract, lymphatic
system, arteries , veins, and genitourinary tracts, and subtle channels, such
as the capillaries and the nadis.
3.
The latter are analogous to the meridians in acupuncture, which are
perceived as the central channels of the body’s energy.
4.
All diseases in Ayurveda are diagnosed with consideration to which
individual doshas are compromised and to which channels are obstructed.
5.
An excess of any one dosha necessarily creates a blockage in the various
channels of the body.
6.
A disease originating from one vitiated dosha may travel through these
channels to the site of another dosha.
7.
Ayurveda explores a complex system of diagnosis that traces the cause of
the disease.
8.
Males have thirteen groups of channels, or srotas, and females have
fifteen groups.
9.
The first three are governed by Vata, Pitta, and Kapha respectively.
10.
In essence, the first three srotas are conduits of breath, food, and
water respectively.
1. Air
Srotas
·
Originate in the heart and the alimentary tract.
·
Conduct pranic force and vitality through the respiratory and
circulatory systems.
·
These channels become impaired by the suppression of natural bodily
urges, by ingestion of dry, unctuous food, and by physical exertion, as well as
by fear, anxiety, and nervous tension.
·
The symptoms of the vitiated air channels are shallow and restricted
breathing.
2. Food
Srotas
·
Originate in the stomach
·
Carriers of food through the digestive system.
·
Vitiation of these channels is caused by untimely eating, indiscriminate
eating, eating unhealthy foods, and low digestive fire, as well as by
attachment and possessiveness.
·
The symptoms of affliction are loss of appetite, indigestion, vomiting,
and anorexia.
3. Water
Srotas
·
Originate in the palate and pancreas.
·
Regulate the bodily fluids.
·
Obstruction of these passages is caused by excessive exposure to heat,
excessive use of alcohol or other addictive substances, and ingesting very dry
foods, as well as by aggressiveness and selfishness.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are excessive thirst, and dryness of lips,
throat, tongue, and palate.
4. Plasma
Srotas
·
Begin in the heart and its ten blood vessels.
·
Transport chyle, plasma, and lymphatic fluid to the plasma dhatu.
·
Obstruction of these passages is caused by excessively cold and heavy
foods, as well as by stress and grief.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are anorexia, drowsiness, nausea, fainting,
anemia, and impotence.
5. Blood
Srotas
·
Originate in the liver and spleen.
·
Transport blood, and especially hemoglobin, to the blood dhatus.
·
This group is often referred to as the circulatory system.
·
Vitiation of this system is caused by hot and oily foods, excessive
exposure to the sun or fire, and exposure to radioactivity, as well as by
anger, dullness, and stress.
·
The symptoms of affliction are skin diseases and rashes, abscesses,
excessive bleeding, and inflammation of the genital organs and the anus.
6. Muscular
Srotas
·
Originate in the ligaments, tendons, and skin.
·
Supply nutrients to the muscle dhatus.
·
Impairment of these channels is due to regular intake of heavy, greasy
foods, excessive sleep, sleeping after meals, and a sedentary lifestyle, as
well as to attachment and nervous tension.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are usually benign tumors produced by the
muscular system, tonsillitis, a swollen uvula, hemorrhoids, and swelling of the
thyroid glands and adenoids.
7. Fat
Srotas
·
Originate in the kidneys and the fat tissue of the abdomen.
·
Commonly known as the adipose system, supply ingredients of fat tissue
to the fat dhatus.
·
Vitiation of this system is due to inertia, suppression of digestive
activities an excess of fatty foods, and an excess of alcohol or other additive
substances, as well as greed, possessiveness, and indulgence.
·
The symptoms of affliction are generally diabetes and urinary disorders.
8. Bone
and Cartilage Srotas
·
Begins in the hipbone.
·
Commonly known as the skeletal system.
·
Supply nutritive ingredients to the bone and cartilage dhatus.
·
Affliction of these channels is generally caused by excessive activity,
friction of the bones, and excessive intake of Vata-type foods, as well as by
fear and deprivation.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are generally dry, brittle nails, decaying
teeth, painful joints, and dry thinning hair.
9. Bone
Marrow Srotas
·
Commonly referred to as the nervous system.
·
Supply the marrow and nerve tissue nutrient to the bone marrow dhatus.
·
In Ayurveda, marrow refers not only to the white and red matter inside
the bone encasement, but also to the brain and spinal cord.
·
Impairment of the bones and joints is usually caused by incompatible
foods (for example, ingesting hot and cold at the same time) or incompatible
activities (walking and eating).
·
Eating foods incompatible with one’s body types, such as Vata eating cold, dry foods, is also a
factor.
·
After impacting the bone and joints, these transgressions then have an
effect on the bone marrow.
·
Impairment can also be caused by isolation and fear.
·
The symptoms of a vitiated nervous system are pain in the joints,
fainting, dizziness, loss of memory, blackouts, and compounded abscesses.
10. Ovum
and Sperm Srotas
·
Originating in the testes and ovaries.
·
These channels are ordinarily referred to as the reproductive system.
·
The ovum and sperm srotas are the most subtle of all the nine preceding
channel groups.
·
They transport the semen and ovum to the reproductive tissues, or the
shukra dhatus.
·
Afflictions of these passages are normally the result of excessive or
suppressed sex, unnatural sex, sex at improper times, drug addictions and
abortions, as well as aggression, selfishness, and greed.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are impotence, infertility, and defective
pregnancy.
·
These channels transport the essence of ojas.
1.
The body’s cycle of nutrition begins with rasa and culminates with ojas.
2.
Ojas allows tejas to project from the subtle body into the physical
body, where it appears as the digestive
fire.
3.
Ojas is the flow, the aura, the luster of the body when the ingested
foods are wholesome, the mind is peaceful, and when the essence of nutrition is
received.
4.
When ojas is plentiful, the body’s natural immunity is impenetrable, and
we may protect all that exists around us.
5.
Psychologically, ojas gives clarity and allows the cognitive self to
flourish.
11. Urinary
Srotas
·
Eject urine from the body, begin in the kidneys and the bladder.
·
Impairment of these passages is caused by the suppression of urination,
as well as fear and nervousness.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are generally excessive, scant, or frequent
urination.
12. Excretory
Srotas
·
Originate in the colon and rectum.
·
Evacuate feces from the body, are ordinarily referred to as the
excretory system.
·
Vitiation of this system is caused by weak digestive fire, eating before
the previous meal is digested, suppression of defecation, and ingestion of
disagreeable foods, as well as greed, attachment, and dullness.
·
The symptoms of affliction are usually diarrhea, constipation, or
excessively hard stools.
13. Sweat
Srotas
·
Originate in the fat tissues and hair follicles.
·
Expel sweat from the body, is commonly known as the sebaceous system.
·
Affliction of these channels is caused by excessive activity, heat,
spicy foods, acidic foods, excessive alcohol or other addictive substances, as
well as grief, fear, and anger.
·
The symptoms of vitiation are excess perspiration or no perspiration,
rough and dry skin, and burning sensation of the skin.
1.
Two additional channels exist within the female body: The menstrual srotas, which expel
menstruation from the body, and the breast milk srotas, which carry milk to the
nursing mother’s breasts.
Both of these systems are part of the plasma srotas, which
supply the plasma dhatus.
1.
The sushumna nadi, along with ida and pingala nadis to her left and right respectively, are the three
principal channels of the subtle body.
2.
These branch into fourteen main nadis, which in turn divide into the
many thousands of nadis which fill the entire
system.
3.
Located within the central nadi, or sushumna, are subtle energy centers,
or chakras.
4.
These chakras operate in close conjunction with the nadis.
5.
The sushumna is the main subtle energy channel of the pranavaha nadi, which deals with
physiological qualities.
6.
Related to the parasympathetic nervous system, the sushumna and three
other pranavaha nadis are the carriers of the vital life force known as prana.
7.
The meridians in acupuncture are analogous to pranavaha nadis.
8.
The parasympathetic and sympathetic systems of the body would be
rendered inoperable without the life currents of prana transmitted by the
pranavaha nadis.
9.
The vehicle of the mind is prana, without which there is no impression
of consciousness.
10.
The ten manovaha nadis deal
with psychological qualities and are related tot he sympathetic nervous
system. They are conduits of energies
pertaining to the mind.
11.
These two systems operate together since the mind is controlled by the
air of prana.
12.
Sushumna Nadi: Located within the spinal cord, begins at the pelvic
plexus and ends in the space of the cerebrospinal axis between the two
hemispheres of the brain. The seven chakras
of the body are aligned along the sushumna nadi from the top of the head to the
coccyx.
13.
Ida Nadi: Runs from the left testicle to the left nostril. All inhalation begins with the left nostril
in yogic practices. The left breath
stimulates the ida nadi and promotes creativity, visualization, and the
nurturing of emotions. It calms the
nerves and silences the mind. The yogic
sciences exhort the use of the left nostril breathing during the day, when the
body is vitalized by the sun’s energy.
This creates harmony and balance and is said to increase longevity.
14.
Pingala Nadi: Runs from the right testicle to the right nostril. It is activated by the breath of the right
nostril. this stimulates the rational,
practical self. Whereas both the breaths
are cleansing, ida cleanses the mind and pingala revives the dynamic energy of
the body. Right nostril breath promotes
stamina, vigor, and vitality. It is wise
to practice right nostril breathing during the night when the lunar energy is
dominant. This activates a superior
level of balance and vigor in the body, just as left nostril breathing during
the day balances the aggression of the dominant solar energy.
15.
Gandhari : The gandhari and hastajihva nadi are companion nadis to
Ida. Gandhari originates form the lower
corner of the left eye and ends at the big toe of the left foot.
16.
and Hastajihva Nadis: Hastajihva nadi begins on the lower corner of the
right eye and ends at the big toe of the left foot. These nadis are used to ascend psychic energy
from the lower body to the chakra between the eyebrows.
17.
Yashasvini: The yashasvini and pusha nadis are companion nadis to
pingala.
18.
and Pusha Nadis: Their functions are related to the main right channel
of pingala.
19.
Alambusha Nadi: Begins at the anus and ends in the mouth, provides prana
for the assimilation and evacuation of food and liquid. This nadi is also responsible for the
assimilation of ideas and thoughts.
20.
Kuhu Nadi: Begins in the throat and terminates in the genitals. Through tantric practices designed to give
mastery over the senses, this nadi can be trained to induce the implosion and
ascension of the seminal and vaginal fluids.
21.
Shankhini Nadi: Originates in the throat and ends in the anus, is
located to the right of the sushumna nadi.
It is activated by the cleansing of Vata from the colon and anus.
22.
Saraswati Nadi: Begins in the tongue and ends in the vocal cord. It is responsible for speech and the
dissemination of knowledge.
23.
Payasvini Nadi: Located in the lobe of the right ear and connects to the
cranial nerves.
24.
Varuni Nadi: One of the four pranavaha nadis, aids in the purification
of bodily wastes. This channel runs
opposite and parallel to the alambusha nadi, and together they activate
excretions of bodily waste. Varuni nadi
originates between the throat and the left ear and ends at the anus. It works in concert with apana vayu, which
circulates in the cavities of the large intestine. When this system is disturbed, stagnation of
various bodily channels ensues and Vata disorders occur.
25.
Vishvodara Nadi
·
Located around the adrenal glands and the pancreas.
·
Distributes prana throughout the body.
·
Center energy stream of the body, often referred to as the ki or chi.
All yoga and martial arts practices, especially t’ai chi, quigong and pranayama, serve to strengthen this pivotal nadi.
·
Known as the root chakra.
·
Located at the base of the spine.
·
Symbolized by a crimson lotus with four petals
·
Within the petals is a square, representing the element of earth.
·
Located in the region of the genitals.
·
Symbolized by a carmine lotus with six petals.
·
Within the petals is a crescent moon, representing the element of water.
·
Exists in the region of the navel.
·
Represented by a lotus with ten petals the color of translucent smoke.
·
It contains an inverted triangle, representing the element of fire.
·
Located in the heart region, has twelve crimson petals.
·
These petals hold a hexagram, representing the element of air.
·
Exists at the base of the throat.
·
Is represented by a smoky purple sixteen-petalled lotus.
·
Within it is a circle, representing the element of space.
·
Located in the region of the third eye.
·
Has ninety-six white petals.
·
At this site the gross elements of the individual dissolve into the pure
elements of consciousness.
·
It is known as the energy center of the Guru, the teacher of
self-knowledge.
·
Symbolized by a thousand-petalled lotus.
It is said that before making her final ascension through
the saharara chakra, the kundalini
rests at an energy center known a the twelve-petalled soma chakra, which is
located in the middle of the forehead directly above the ajna chakra.
|
Elemental Features of All Foods
|
Air |
Fire |
Water |
Earth |
|
|
Hollow Resonant Translucent Blue Cold Astringent Pungent |
Mobile Rough Hard Dry Variable Fresh Wiry Light Compact Dark
(gray/green) Bitter Astringent |
Intense Hot Medium-size Sharp Light Fluid Oily Fetid Red Orange Pungent Salty |
Cool Dense Heavy Large Moist Smooth Cloudy Sticky White Clear Sweet Salty |
Solid Dense Heavy Large Oily |