‘Life,’ according to Ayurveda, is the intelligent coordination of one’s soul, mind, senses, and the body, with the totality of nature around him and the universe as well. We interact with nature around us, other planets, we interact with a lot many people in the society and we are in continuous communication with our own mind. What happens externally has definitely an impact on our bodymind complex. In short, we affect and are affected by every other animate and inanimate thing in existence. Bringing balance in each interaction – within and without – is the key to health. Practical Ayurveda revolves around the physiological basis of humors. The theory of three humors is developed primarily as a tool to quantify the pathogenesis and consequently to quantify the need of healthcare interventions in any given condition. Assessment of the status of the humors has become the preferred way of decision-making in therapeutics in Ayurveda. Lissa Coffey from USA writes about doshas from a different angle. A certified instructor with The Chopra Center, Lissa Coffey is a renowned authority on Ayurveda and relationships. She has had six books published. Her best-selling book “What’s Your Dosha, Baby? Discover the Vedic Way for Compatibility in Life and Love” is the only book ever published on Ayurveda and Relationships, and it has been translated into five languages.
There are many ways of looking at our compatibility with other people – such as the Mars/Venus theories, and the Love Signs system based on astrology, among others. But long before any of these formulas were in the reckoning, philosophers and scientists in Ancient India devised a system of health care called “Ayurveda” – or “the science of life.” At over 5,000 years old, Ayurveda is the oldest known health care system in the world, and now it is the fastest-growing system as well. Within this holistic system lies everything we need to know about life, and love.
Ayurveda explains the nature of everything in the universe. It is a compelling way of looking at all of life, the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Ayurveda tells us how we “tick,” and how we relate to the rest of the world, including the other people in it!
When you know your dosha, and that of your partner, you can use this information to create a personal and passionate relationship!There are three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. We each have all three in our physiology, but the idea is to find which is the most dominant, and you can do that by taking a simple quiz, like the one at http://www.whatsyourdosha. com.
Vatas, for example, tend to have a delicate digestion. They need to eat warm, cooked foods. Because Vata is cold and dry, Vata types are more comfortable when they stay warm, and use moisturizers and oils on their skin. Vatas are creative. They like to mix things up. They are spontaneous. Their dominant senses are touch and sound, so they love to give and get messages, and they prefer to listen to beautiful music. Vatas like to have fun, and will always surprise you! Vatas get cold easily. They prefer warm atmosphere.
Vatas, for example, tend to have a delicate digestion. They need to eat warm, cooked foods. Because Vata is cold and dry, Vata types are more comfortable when they stay warm, and use moisturizers and oils on their skin. Vatas are creative. They like to mix things up. They are spontaneous. Their dominant senses are touch and sound, so they love to give and get messages, and they prefer to listen to beautiful music. Vatas like to have fun, and will always surprise you! Vatas get cold easily. They prefer warm atmosphere.
Pittas tend to run hot, so they need to make sure that they find ways to cool off, especially during the summer days. Pittas can also be intense, so they need to set aside some relaxation time, away from work. Pittas are more practical. They are very organized and planned-out in their romantic approach. They don’t like to spend money generally, but they will splurge on luxuries, like a weekend-getaway or a beautiful diamond bracelet. Their dominant sense is sight, and beautiful scenes like sun-set etc. make them happy. When romancing a Pitta, remember to create beautiful lighting, with candles or fire-light. Pittas run hot, so keep the room cool and they’ll be
comfortable.
Kaphas may gain weight easily, so they need to watch their diet, and avoid sugar and dairy products. And they need to exercise more strenuously than the other doshas to stay in shape. Kaphas are loving and romantic, sentimental. They remember things like the anniversary date of their first meeting! Their dominant senses are taste and smell, so they are drawn to things like a romantic dinner for two, or scented candles, or fragrant flowers. A wonderful bubble bath, with some bubbly champagne is just the ticket for the sensual Kapha. Try feeding each other chocolate -covered strawberries!
As important as our relationships are to us, how much time and effort do we really put into them? So often we go about living our lives and expect that another person either fits into that picture or doesn’t. But we each have needs, and temperaments, and ideas about how we like things to be. When we better understand ourselves, and each other, we can focus on what is important, and what makes a relationship work.
This system shows us how we can please each other and ourselves at the same time. Ayurveda has been described as the art of living in harmony with nature. It shows us how we can live blissfully with those around us by recognizing a person’s natural qualities and how we can bring more love into the world by being accepting rather than judgmental.
One thing’s for sure. Finding love and peace in connection is one of the most important – and pleasurable – things we come here to do. My hope is that Ayurveda, with its ancient Indian secrets for keeping life shining bright, will not only help you in your process of self-discovery but also enable you to find and nourish the love matches of your dreams.
