Maharishi Ayurveda Self Pulse Lesson 3 The Role of Pitta and Importance of Diet

PITTA FLOWING SLIGHTLY OILY LIGHT HOTSHARP LIQUID PUNGENT METABOLISM DIGESTIONTRANSFORMATION QUALITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF PITTA DOSHA

Balanced Pitta  Thirst  Hunger  Sight  Digestion  Heat  Softness in the body  Cheerfulness

Things that Aggravate Pitta  Food –Hot, sharp, spicy  Weather –Hot  Behavior –Sharp intellect & speech –Intense activity, heat, passion –Excess speaking & exercise

Feeling Pitta in the Pulse  Pitta moves like a frog  It is distinct, intense, warm & sharp  Hot  Sharp  Slightly Oily  Liquid  Moving

Feel Pitta in the Pulse  Feel the pulse with just the Pitta finger  Feel the Pitta pulse for one minute  Describe what you felt to a neighbor  What did you feel? –Warm, Sharp, Intense, “ Pushing ” ?

Signs of Aggravated Pitta  Anger  Yellow color of skin, eyes, stool, urine  Hunger  Thirst  Burning sensation  Less sleep

How to Reduce Pitta  TM and TM-Sidhi Program  Good sleep  Maharishi Yoga Asanas  Avoid heat, sun, anger, & too much intense activity  Cooling foods and drink  Sweet, Bitter, Astringent Tastes  Ghee

Digestive Power - Agni  Normal function of Agni is good appetite, good taste, and one feels good during and after digestion, with good energy, and bliss.  The expression of balanced Agni is seen, Darshan. In the look one can see enthusiasm, energy, and glow.  There is frictionless flow of intelligence in energy and in Ojas (material expression of intelligence).  This also seen in the pulse, of course. The pulse will feel full, balanced and smooth. One will have clear bowel movements, good appetite, and have good luster.

Important Principles for Diet  One should take wholesome food timely and regularly.  Further one should eat:  warm, unctuous food  in proper quantity,  after the previous meal is digested,  in a favorable place equipped with all accessories,

Principles for Diet  not too fast,  not too slow,  not while talking or laughing,  with full attention (presence of mind) and  after due consideration to the Self (one ’ s Self).  Charaka Samhita. Vi. 1.24

Chronic Disorders Reduced with Vegetarian Diet   Coronary Artery Disease   Cancer of Colon and Other Organs   Diabetes Mellitus Type 2   Osteoporosis   Kidney Stones   Gallstones   Diverticular Disease of the Colon   High Blood Pressure   Hypercholesterolaemia   Overweight

Pitta Season Recommendations  Avoid over exposure to the hot sun. Morning or evening walks by lakes or pools is ideal.  Exercise to 50% of capacity, until breathing is heavy and perspiration is significant. This may require less exercise than in the Spring.  Swimming is ideal exercise at this time for most people, especially if there is clean, natural water nearby.

Pitta Season Recommendations  Wear a hat and sunscreen and sunglasses if you need to be out in the sun.  The digestive fire is less, so we eat a little less than in winter. Avoid overeating.  Diet should be cooling and soothing (Pitta pacifying).  This includes cool (not cold) drinks, fresh ripe fruits and juices, green vegetables, soaked raisins, dates and figs, milk, ghee, and sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.

More For Pitta Season  Basmati rice and mung dahl balance all three doshas and are easy to digest.  Grapes, melons, mangos, and other ripe, sweet juicy fruits are especially Pitta pacifying.  Great spices for summer are coriander, cilantro, fennel, a little cinnamon and cardamon. They enhance digestion and balance Pitta at the same time.  Cooking with ghee or olive oil or sunflower oil is best. Sesame oil, mustard oil, and others are more heating.  Avoid heating foods and spices, such as peppers, chilis, mustard seed, carrots, beets, vinegar, soy sauce, and fermented foods.

Practice  Please take your pulse many times this evening and tomorrow morning  You may find the pulse becoming more clear, and more balanced  See if you notice changes in the pulse after different activities

ENJOY