I was recently encouraged by my Ayurvedic guru Avanti Kumar Singh MD; a Western GP who has gone back to her roots of Ayurveda after recognising many inadequacies of Western pharma dependant practices, where treating the presenting symptoms only with medication over the root cause and not the addressing the individual human imbalances that lead to disease,are favoured during a ‘churn-em-up and chick-em-out’, 10 minute time slot. In her book The Health Catalyst she uses her trademark `The Counterbalance Solution’,  to identify a potential symptom of imbalance to heal oneself, using the three categories of physical,mental or emotional symptom. Then to dig down and identify the qualities of the chosen agitator. This lead me onto another path of exploring mental and emotional qualities according to Ayurveda which is a whole new area to me-who new? Established Sage Ayurvedic practitioners I’m guessing! In my exploration, I came across a straight forward paper written by Prof. Subhash Ranade and Prof. Norbert Lotz that I have rejigged for this very purpose..I hope you have as much fun reading this as I did!

Mental and Emotional Wellness 1,2&3!

Mental and Emotional Wellness – Part 1

First let us take a look at the Ayurvedic concept of Mind.

Manas in Sanskrit, means to think, believe, imagine, suppose. It is the internal organ for perception. Atma (Soul), mind, sense organs and their Objects give the knowledge. 

Atman (Soul) is the basis of all experience, while Manas (mind) is the instrument of experience. According to Ayurveda, it is atomic and eternal. Simply put, Atman is the consciousness, spirit, soul, self, the source of life and the cosmic power behind the body-mind complex. Just as our body exists in space, similarly our thoughts, intellect, emotions, and psyche exist in Atma, the space of consciousness.

Functions of Mind are broken down into the following: –
Chintya (Thinking) – Thinking of what to do and what not to do etc.
Vicharya (Analysis) – Analysis of the subject. If we do it, will it be beneficial or not.
Uhya (Speculation) – Speculation and find out probabilities
Dhyeya (Aim/Goal) – Goal setting. – Objective.
Sankalp (Decision ) – of doing various activities to achieve a goal- Determination.

Qualities of Mind are broken down into the following: –

These are super qualities responsible for the creation of the Universe and Man plus the development of the mind also.
Sattva – Sat / mind, reality, truth, light, intelligence.
Rajas – Raja / stain, smoke, distraction, turbulence and mind agitated by desire.
Tamas – Tama/ dullness, darkness, inability to perceive, heaviness, lethargy and mind clouded by ignorance and lack of mental activity.

The Psychological Constitution –

The predominance of the qualities below creates the psychological constitution of the individual. Sattva is considered a good quality and Rajas and Tamas create diseases when in excess.

Sattvic persons are health conscious by nature, Rajas persons have to be convinced and Tamas are ignorant about health.

Sattvic constitution
A Sattvic person is intelligent, sensitive and understanding, ever seeking balance. He possesses a good intellect and memory and has an inherent instinct for cleanliness and purity.

Sattvic constitution and health –
Although these persons have a great deal of knowledge, they always try to gain more. They have goodwill towards others and allow others to prosper. They are friendly and courteous, have faith in the Divine and devotion to what is good. Since these persons are health conscious, they follow all the rules and regulations of a good and healthy lifestyle. They have good immunity. They rarely become sick and even if some disease appears, it can be quickly recovered.

Rajasic Constitution

A Rajasic person is active and aggressive, but agitated and restless. Rajasic types have a nature that tries to overpower others and have a brave but jealous and sometimes cruel character. They manifest a propulsive and dynamic energy that is ever-seeking and striving and which is never contented. Seldom satisfied with the positions and possessions they achieve, they are ever trying for more. They are ambitious and industrious in nature.
Rajasic constitution and health –
Although they do not follow health rules and regulations, if they are properly convinced, they immediately start following proper healthy routines. They tend to develop Pitta and Rakta (blood) diseases. Hence they should take proper precautions.

Tamasic Constitution
Tamasic people are lazy and ignorant and do not make any real efforts to improve their condition in life. Similarly, they are not curious about things but hold to what they already know as final. Usually, they are less intelligent, prefer not to work and are interested mainly in eating and sleeping. They lack cleanliness and are not health conscious. Owing to their ignorance, they are afraid of many things and do not initiate any changes on their own. For this reason they are very difficult to treat.
Tamasic constitution and health –

These people are ignorant about the health rules and they also do not want to learn them. Hence they suffer from Kapha and Meda diseases and are very difficult to treat as they have low immunity. They also suffer from various psychological disorders.

Mental and Emotional Wellness – Part 2

What is Emotion?

According to Modern Psychology, emotions are evaluative responses to environmental events that coordinate various physical and psychological sub-systems for the purpose of the best possible response. Emotions are required for our survival, communication, making decisions and happiness.

Emotions –Ayurvedic View –
Thoughts create emotions. They are associated with mood, temperament, personality, disposition and motivation. These are the effects of an increase in rajas and tamas qualities of mind. They are created due to “failure of intelligence” (Pradnyaparadha) or volitional transgression which is the main cause of diseases.

Emotions – An Ayurvedic classification –
Joy (Sukha /Ananda)- Pleasure, Cheerfulness, Zest, Contentment.
Grief (Dukkha) – Sorrow.
Love (Kama)–Affection, Attraction, Attachment, Infatuation, Longing, forgiveness, compassion. Intoxicating mood (Mada) – Lust, Passion.
Anger (Krodha) – Rage, Disgust, Torment.
Envy (Matsarya) – Jealousy.
Greed (Lobha) –
Sadness (Vishada) –Suffering, Disappointment, Shame, neglect.
Depression (Udvega) –
Fear (Bhaya)– Horror.
Anxiety (Chinta) – Worry, Nervousness.
Competitiveness (Irshya) -Surprise – Frustration, irritation.

Relationship between Physical Doshas / Psychological Doshas –
Vata = Air + Ether = Rajas 3+ Sattva 2 + Tamas 1
Pitta = Fire + small water= Sattva 3 + Rajas 2 + Tamas 1
Kapha = Earth +Water = Tamas 3 + Sattva 2 + Rajas 1

Vata Emotions classification –
Vata and Sattva – Joy, Surprise.
Vata and Rajas – Hyperactivity, Nervousness, Fear, Anxiety.
Vata and Tamas – Confusion, Lack of direction, Indecisiveness, Sadness, Suffering, Shame, Grief or sorrow, Neglect.

Pitta Emotions classification –
Pitta and Sattva – Longing.
Pitta and Rajas – Aggressive competitiveness. Intoxicating mood, lust, passion, disgust, infatuation.
Pitta and Tamas – Anger, Rage, Hatred, Envy, Jealousy

Kapha Emotions classification –
Kapha and Sattva – Love, Affection, Attraction, Compassion, Forgiveness.
Kapha and Rajas – Attachment, Greed, Possessiveness.
Kapha and Tamas – Confusion, Depression.

Positive and Negative Emotions –

It is really difficult to classify all the emotions according to their effect on the mind and body. Because the same emotion may have a different effect depending on the situation. However in general the following classification can be given –

Negative emotions are– ashamed, abandoned, abused, accused, apathy, grief, fear, hatred, shame, blame, regret, resentment, anger, hostility.

Positive emotions are – interest, enthusiasm, laughter, empathy, action, curiosity.

Mental and Emotional Wellness – Part 3

General causes of all diseases –

All diseases originate in the consciousness. Pradnyaparadha or misuse of intellect – faulty intelligence, courage and memory.
Wrong contact of sense organs (ears, skin,eyes,tongue,nose etc) with their objects – Absence of analysis of any subject can lead to depression, excessive analysis can lead to anxiety and improper analysis leads to improper behavior. Time – dosha aggravation.
Withholding of physical urges and suppressing emotions.

Common causes for all psychological diseases –

Emotions are responsible for causing all psychological diseases and Ayurveda has classified common causes according to two main reasons –

Getting things that are undesired- Hatred, Anger and Depression.

Not getting things that are desired – Greed, Envy, Worry and Anxiety.

Pathogenesis flow chart of the psychological diseases –

Bhagvad Gita, the religious book of Sanatana Dharma has explained the following flow chart for the pathogenesis-
Thinking of pleasure / Vishaya
Attachment of objects with sense organs / Sanga
Lust for pleasure by sensual objects / Kama
Non-fulfillment of pleasure Anger/Krodha
Delusion / Sammoha
Vitiation in Recollection / Smruti vibhrama
Damage of intelligence / Buddhinasha
Destruction / Vinashyati.

How to treat Emotions –

By conscious efforts, all the emotions should be kept under control. One should observe negative emotions with detachment, allowing them to dissipate. For example, one is taught that when anger occurs, one should be completely aware of it, watch the feeling as it unfolds, learn the nature of the anger, then let it go, releasing it.

Examination of the patient –
In order to treat the patient successfully, one must carefully examine the patient with the following view points-

Understanding Mind–Body relations and counseling is very important. Requires expertise, attention and application.
The root cause is in the consciousness. To remove this, methods like meditation and Yoga practices are always useful along with Ayurvedic Therapies.

Controlling sense organs –
In fact, this is the key for treating all emotions. Our sense organs are constantly focused on the outside world. To focus them inward is the best method of controlling them.
Ayurveda and Yoga (Pratyahara) have stressed the importance of this to avoid diseases. Chitta vritti nirodha in Ayurveda refers to yoga tools, meaning the calming of the fluctuations of the mind. Pranayama or breathing exercises are helpful for this.

Treatment of emotional diseases –
To treat all emotional problems the best way is to increase Sattva quality in Mind. This can be effectively done by Sattavajaya Therapy. Satvavajaya -Ayurvedic Psychotherapy (a nonpharmacological approach aimed at self-control of mind and restraining it from unwholesome objects or stressors) or by following methods to make the mind more calm and quiet and focused.
These therapies mainly aim at withdrawing sense organs from their outside world and following Sadvritta or the Ethical code of conduct. These are simple rules to be observed while moving in society and at home – speaking the truth, giving honor to others, not stealing or inflicting verbal or physical harm etc.
Daivavyapashraya /Divine or Spiritual therapy – In practice, it has been observed that many emotions have connections to bad deeds in the past. Hence some spiritual methods to reduce bad deeds in the past life, with the help of various rituals, wearing gems and colours as well as chanting mantras and the prayer to specific deities are used.
Yuktivyapashraya/ Rational therapy – These are using appropriate foods, herbs and clinical therapies of opposite qualities for aggravated doshas. Use of proper food, herbs and other therapies like Pancha Karma. When emotions are too deep and strong like depression, medicated emesis or vamana (waste products or toxin elimination through the mouth) is very effective. For anxiety treatment, Shirodhara (oil or warm liquid poured onto the forehead) is extremely useful.

Herbal Therapy – For treatment purposes, emotions can also be classified as –
1. Excitement – extreme joy due to winning the lottery, anger, jealousy, lust, surprise.
2. Suppression – Depression, sadness, fear, anxiety.
For treating emotions due to excitement –
Specific herbs that produce a calm and quiet mind are used –
Gotu kola / Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri),
Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi),
Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Valerian (Valeriana wallichi),
Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina),
Manduka parni (Centella asiatica),

For treating emotions due to suppression-
herbs that have a stimulating effect on the mind are used –
Calamus / Vacha (Acorus calamus),
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),
Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

By: Prof. Subhash Ranade and Prof. Norbert Lotz