103 Ayurvedic Psychology (Manasa Shastra)

Question 1

Ashtanga Hridayam Chapter 1.1

Homage be to that Pioneer Physician who eliminated the entire disease such as Raga, whichever shadows life, which are integral parts of living beans, and which are causes for Autsukya, Moha, and Arati.

Answer 1

Raga = desires/attachment

Autsukya = anxiety

Moha = confusion

Arati = restlessness

Question 2

What are the 3 layers of a human beings’ existence?

Answer 2

1. Manas = mind
2. Atma = soul
3. Sharira = physical body

When this triad is in harmony, there is health.

Atma and Sharira depend on the state of Manas.

1. Body = temple
2. Soul = idol within the temple
3. mind = energy created within the temple, keeps idol with optimal expression

Question 3

Harmony/health is balance of all 3 layers…

which layers can go out of balance? And how do you treat imbalances?

Answer 3

Health and disease have two locations: the physical body and the mind. In physical disease there is also a mental imbalance, and mental imbalances also affect the physical body. During treatment, both levels have to be addressed. Otherwise, the
disease will not be cured completely. (motivation and inspiration and explaining/knowledge are working on the mind)

ShariramSattvasajnyam cha
VyadhināmĀshrayomatah
Body tends to get diseases but it also has a self-healing Sāttvic nature

Question 4

What is the definition of a Healthy Person?

Answer 4

The individual is called a Healthy Person if:

• Doshas, Agni and Dhātus are in balance
• Malas (wastes) are eliminated regularly
• Thinking is clear
• Manas is Sāttvic
• Indriyas (senses) are sharp
• Individual is peaceful

Who is healthy?
Samadoshahasamāgnicha
Samadhātu Mala Kriyāha
Prasanna Ātmendriya Manah
SwasthaitiAbhidhiyate
Sama Dosha, Sama Agni, Sama Dhātus,
SamaMalakriyas, Sharp Indriyas,
Peaceful Mind, Clear thinking

Question 6

What is the ayurvedic definition of mind?

Answer 6

Mind is the sense beyond the senses that perceives the wellness and illness, good and bad, suitable and unsuitable, all pluses and minuses in our life.

Question 7

Define Antahkarana

Answer 7

Antahkarana is the mind, or basic consciousness

• all creation is based upon and manifests through the mind
• it is responsible for our perception of the external world
• mind is the cause of knowing
• internal sense/inner conscience/mind - the senses are external senses, mind is internal sense.

Essential function of mind is to:

• analyze vibrations received from sense organs in order to inform decisions
• guide the karmendriyas (organs of action: arms, legs, mouth, organs of excretion)

Neither the gyanendriyas (sense perceptions: ears, eyes, nose, tongue, skin) nor the karmendriyas work without the association of Mind.

Mind is called ubhayendriya (organ of both action and perception (ubhaya = both)

Question 8

what are the karmendriyas?

Answer 8

karmendriyas are the organs of action: arms, legs, mouth, organs of excretion

the mind guides the karmendriyas (mind takes info from external senses and directs action to the karmendriyas)

Question 9

What are gyanendriyas?

Answer 9

gyanendriyas are the sense perceptions: ears, eyes, nose, tongue, skin

Question 10

define ubhayendriya

Answer 10

ubhayendriya = mind is organ of both action and perception (ubhaya = both)

Takes info from external senses and directs action to the organs of action.

Question 11

What are the two main qualities of the Mind?

Answer 11

1. Ekatva – oneness (Ekagra = single-pointed focus, concentration)
2. Anutva - 1) the state of being an atom, the generality of atom 2) minuteness / subtle particle in nature

Question 12

Discuss mind quality of Ekatva

Answer 12

• Mind is the one and only.
• At any given moment the mind can be associated with only one sense organ and receives information from that one sense organ.
• Because of its tremendous speed it may seem that the mind is associated with many senses simultaneously. While we currently live in a multitasking world, in reality we can only focus on one thought or perception at a time.
• Thus,Ekāgra, single-pointedness, or concentration, is very important.

Question 13

Discuss mind quality of Anutva

Answer 13

ANUTVA

• In Yoga, Vashishtha Mind is described as Chit Anu (the subtle particle of consciousness)
• The mind is considered to be a subtle particle in nature. The atom being smallest of the small, it is also the largest of the large because it is the essence of all substances in the universe.
• Mind is subtle - can go anywhere at anytime

Question 14

What is the natural tendency of mind vs. body?

Answer 14

Body always wants to bring balance, bring opposite qualities to bring balance. It’s natural tendency. When nutrients get reduced, feel hungry. Pitta craves cooling things.

But, mind is totally opposite – because of rajasic tinge. Rajasic influence of mind makes mind always want to exaggerate it’s own qualities – more rajas. Body will have tendency to not do things, be a bit more tamasic. Mind wants to do things.

Journey towards health for mind is journey towards more sattvic state. From extreme to balance.