The human physiology has roughly ~37 trillion cells and an average of 37 thousand billion billionchemical reactions in the body every second.
The brain organ has roughly 80 billion neurons, with each neuron being connected to up to 10,000 others and with an average of one thousand trillion signals being sent throughout the synaptic network each second.
There are roughly 100 million neurons and an estimated 100 trillion microorganisms in the gut.
The reality of the incredible coordination between all these systems must be incomprehensible, and yet through study, practice and experience a healthcare practitioner can be empowered to understand this abstract level of life.
One can appreciate the incredible level of sophistication and multifaceted nature of the form of our body - but what to say about how all this functions?
Why do the liver and pancreas secrete a suitable mix of digestive juices that aid in digestion in a timely and highly specific manner?
How does the fight or flight mechanism built into various aspects of your physiology from the amygdala to the hormonal system enact such dramatic changes so quickly?
How do we explain how a reassuring conversation with a friend settles our body so viscerally?
Of course modern anatomy and physiology can give some answers to these questions - but what about other perspectives? According to Ayurveda, the Inner Intelligence of the mind/body system is a non-material, all pervasive intelligence which manifests in different forms with different functions. This intelligence is qualified and quantified in the Ayurvedic tradition in layers - with the foundational aspect of this intelligence being understood as “Mahat” - often defined as cosmic intelligence.
This further expresses itself as 3 - Vata, Pitta & Kapha. These 3 can be understood as the foundational intelligences which govern much of the psychological and physiological processes.
We often refer to these as the Doshas - Dosha is a word which has a few definitions. The one we’ll stick with for now is - governing Forces. The 3 Doshas are described in the literature in the following way:
“Doshas are three: Vata, Pitta & Kapha. In their balanced state they maintain the body. When imbalanced they afflict the body with imbalances and disease.”
Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthan, 1.5
Here we get a clear presentation of the connection between the inner intelligence and imbalance & disease. Illnesses can be understood in terms of the condition of the inner intelligence. This inner intelligence has countless functions in the mind-body system: balancing, repairing, building, purifying etc. In a lively condition, these intelligences can be your pharmacy and your guide. In an unhealthy condition the mind and body begin to degrade.
The Ayurvedic literature goes on to say:
“The body of every living being is always the abode of Vata, Pitta & Kapha. One should know if they are in natural (balanced) or unnatural (imbalanced) condition.”
Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthan, 18.48
This last expression salutes the process of assessment - whether in terms of the inner intelligence, blood work, therapy - if we have a proper assessment of the condition of underlying factors we are empowered. Ideally any healthcare practitioner facilitates a growing relationship between a patient and the different dimensions of their life - inner and outer.
These 3 Doshas have many facets to their nature - certain qualities, locations, & functions to be specific. These will be covered in other articles. The purpose here is to present a glance at the existence of this inner intelligence. Ultimately, however, to really know Vata, Pitta & Kapha one must experience them within their own consciousness. That too is an aim of our platform here - to go beyond intellectual study and to support direct experience.
An awareness of the condition of these inner Forces is a natural side effect to study, practice and experience of Ayurvedic modalities for health and healing. We hope you find such an awareness as you explore our knowledge page.
