Searching For Truth: A Blog by Sherri Smith
In the last blog post a very brief introduction was made to the system of medicine that A State of Bliss often uses in its therapies/treatments. Ayurveda is universal, with each culture recognizing at the minimum 4 of the 5 spoken elements with some variances in the 5th element of space. Some traditions called it spirit, life force etc but without getting consumed by labels, we can begin the journey of understanding deeper by observing how the animating principles of these elements show up in our world (macrocosm) and within each of us (microcosm).
Vata is primarily movement and we know that excessive movement creates dryness; the winds dry up the water on the grass or soils, the movement of a vehicle dries up the gas tank, the excessive movement of the mind (thought/mental chatter) dries our natural lubricants within. Movement requires a healthy fuel to support it and a time for grounding and when in excess the result is drying if the proper fuels and rest are not replenished. So tuck that bit of information away for a moment.
Pitta is transformation or change/consumption. Pitta is the sun in the sky, the heat or furnace of the planet but also the furnace of the belly. On an emotional level it can represent anger when out of balance (over consumption or rage, control) can be very destructive in nature. It will, if left unattended become like the wild fires we see in the West. It is also the consumerism that we witness triggered by media – that we need more. Gratefully there is a movement now towards simplicity, or minimalizing and with that it can calm not only that inner fire of needing to have or consume but that outer fire of materials required to produce all this ‘stuff’. Pitta is, in a balanced state, one of action and incredibly effective, it gets things done. It is our digestion, breaking things down to its most finest form. Again, setting this aside to later contemplate.
Kapha, the last of the doshas or categories is strength and stability in its animating principles. It is the earth we walk upon and the waters that sustain us. It holds, supports and regenerates. Out of balance and it can become dense, lethargic, stagnant and mucousy. Think of a stagnant pond and how disease can quickly manifest itself into the waters from lack of movement. It creates the opportunity for negative growth and holding of toxins. Pneumonia is a kapha disease, whereby an excess of mucous dampens down the function of the lungs and allows for negative growth to manifest. Excess weight is kapha with the fat cells being the holders of toxins within the body. Kapha is steady and strong, often quite resilient as the Earth itself demonstrates but can only sustain so much. Kapha requires movement to keep it healthy.
As earlier stated, we all have our own unique blueprints with the primary dosha or constitution being our natural state from birth. Vata are inherently long and lean with a tendency towards dryness (excess vata) and also a tendency to want to move in excess. Often the suffering will accumulate in the elimination regions of the body where things are trying to move outwards of ourselves. Pitta are generally born with a medium build, strong willed perhaps and the capacity to be great leaders of change, but also to suffer from heat related illnesses more readily, to move towards anger more easily. Cooling practices and influences in diet begin the process of restoration to pitta. Kapha babies are strong boned, big eyes and a calmer disposition perhaps as their natural state. They are generally very generous in nature (like the earth) and nourishing to the soul much like the water to our body. They can be holders of great space at events but also very attached to items and people. It is all about a continual movement towards that state of balance.
We all hold each of the qualities of the doshas within us, but some more prevalent than others. We all need each other and the gifts we are born with to create the harmonious balance on earth and within our societies.
Sherri Smith from A State of Bliss has trained extensively and globally with ancient modalities and traditions to combine the wisdom these teachings into her own unique therapies. We are deeply connected to the natural world and many of the ills of society today are a result of our separation from this. Sherri's commitment to her own journey keep her immersed in teachings, experiences and advancement, in turn providing rich and rare content to her offerings. There is a yearning within each of us to live a greater life. Discover your power, your gifts and your truths.