Ayurveda is emerging as one of the most important global systems of mind-body medicine.

The nature of the mind:

The mind while emanating from the body is neither the body nor the brain. Our mind helps us understand the world. It’s the intangible component that makes the tangible known. The mind makes things happen, it perceives and is the source of judgment. In Ayurveda, it’s said that to know the mind, we must first know ourselves.

Learning to use our mind, as opposed to our mind using us, can alleviate a lot of the psychological issues we are faced with today. Just as we can see and use both of our hands, through awareness we can perceive and use our mind. The brain is the physical organ through which our mind works. We are not conscious of the brain, we are conscious of our thought process. The mind has comparative functions of reason, feeling, will, and sensory perceptions. We can direct our attention, we can use reasoning, we can develop will, and we can cultivate our feelings, etc. Notice, we are the ones using the mind, and we can master it, rather than letting the mind tell us what to do. To do this, we must go beyond our mind, which means disengaging from its involvements.

Our minds are constantly giving out and receiving in thought-forms that either elevate or depress them. As we become aware we can learn to change the habitual thought forms, and project positive ones. Sound easy enough? The difficulty is, there are many types and layers behind our thoughts, only if we change our deepest thoughts can we really change ourselves.

The mind-body connection:

Our mind is organically related to our physical body. We have all experienced how our mind changes when our diet, exercise patterns, or sensory stimuli changes. Like our body, our mind has its metabolism, appropriate food, waste product, and diseases.

VATA PSYCHOLOGY

Individuals with Vata (air) physical types will usually have Vata (air) mental types, with emotional tendencies towards fear, anxiety, insecurity and ungroundedness. They will be mentally changeable, excitable and indecisive with quickly fluctuating and unpredictable moods and interests. Their minds and senses are sensitive, usually excessively so, but unsteady. 

Vatas have good but erratic mental powers. They are quick to perceive and to react, but not always consistent in their judgements and opinions. They can be very comprehensive in their views or very superficial. They will have many ideas and speculations but lack in practical application, being easily influenced by threats or promises. Their intellect is often well-developed with a grasp of much information. They are able to develop the abstract and philosophical part of the mind once they gain control of their wandering thoughts. 

Vata minds are good at both grasping and forgetting. They are quick at both attachment and detachment, fast at getting emotional and expressing emotions, as well as at forgetting them. They do not have much courage or daring and tend towards cowardice. Yet they seldom become vindictive and usually blame themselves.

Generally, they are not good at forming long lasting relationships. They will be solitary or have many friendships of a more transient nature. However, they are good at forming friendships with people outside their social sphere or age group and may have many acquaintances. They do not make good leaders, but they will not be good followers either. They will not be very materialistic and are not so concerned with accumulating possessions or money. They spend money quickly and easily, but also make it quickly and easily.

PITTA PSYCHOLOGY 

Those with Pitta physical natures will tend towards fiery emotions like irritability, anger and hatred. Their minds will be sharp, penetrating and aggressive. They will be logical, critical, perceptive and intelligent. They are quick to get emotional, though they usually do not consider themselves to be emotional (in this regard they are seldom sentimental) and have no trouble expressing anger. They have difficulty, however, in controlling anger.

Pittas are determined, articulate, convincing and usually get their point across, dominating others with their ideas. They often become self‑righteous, sometimes fanatical. They usually possess strong wills, are dignified and make good leaders. They are ambitious, have great goals in life and work hard to achieve them.

While very helpful and kind to friends and followers, Pitta types can be cruel and unforgiving to opponents. They are bold, adventurous, daring, and reckless and like danger and challenges. They are inventive, ingenious, and possess good mechanical skills. They enjoy the use and expression of energy and technology. Their memory is sharp and not sentimental. They have much clarity but may lack compassion. They are more concerned with the accumulation of power than with material resources but will gather material resources to gain their ends.

KAPHA PSYCHOLOGY

Those with Kapha constitution tend towards watery emotions, like love and desire, romance and sentimentality, or, on the negative side, toward greed and lust. They will be kind, considerate, and loyal, but not always capable of change and adaptation. They can be slow to respond, conservative, shy and obedient.

Kaphas usually have many friends and are very close to their family, community, culture, religion, and country. They can be closed-minded outside their sphere of habitual activity, however, and tend to be suspicious of strangers. They travel less and are happier at home. They easily get attached and find it hard to let go of the past. While they can display affections easily, they are slow to express negative emotions, particularly anger.

Mentally, Kapha types are steady with good forethought but need time to consider things properly. They find it difficult to grasp abstract ideas and learn better through something practical. They are not always sensitive or perceptive but are seldom negative, rude or critical. They may throw their weight around, however, and like to expropriate things for themselves. They accumulate possessions and value material objects and resources.

VATA MENTAL NATURE

In Balance: Energetic, adaptable, flexible, quick in comprehension, good in communication, strong sense of human unity, strong healing energy, good enthusiasm, positive spirit, able to initiate things, good capacity for positive change and movement

Out of balance: Indecisive, unreliable, hyperactive, agitated, volatile, restless, disturbed, distracted, nervous, anxious, overly talkative, superficial, noisy, disruptive, false enthusiasm, excitable, fearful, depressed, self‑destructive.

PITTA MENTAL NATURE

In Balance: Intelligent, clear, perceptive, enlightened, discriminating, good will, independent, warm, friendly, courageous, good guide, and leader

Out of balance: Impulsive, overly ambitious, aggressive, controlling, critical, dominating, manipulating, angry, reckless, proud, vain, hateful.

KAPHA MENTAL NATURE

In Balance: Calm, peaceful, content, stable, consistent, loyal, loving, compassionate, forgiving, patient, devoted, receptive, nurturing, supportive, strong faith

Out of Balance: Controlling, attached, greedy, lustful, materialistic, sentimental, needing security, seeking comfort, lethargic, depressed.