Vedantic Philosophy

What this section covers

Ayurveda grew up alongside the philosophical schools of classical India, and its picture of a person is built on theirs. This section is for the ideas underneath the practice: Samkhya's account of how matter and mind arise, the three gunas (sattva, rajas and tamas), the five elements the doshas are described in terms of, and the Vedantic questions about the self that run through the classical texts.

There are no essays here yet; the first are being written. Until they arrive, three places on the site already touch these ideas. The glossary defines the Sanskrit terms you will meet. What is Ayurveda? gives the overall picture. And the meditation library has practices built on two of them: the three gunas and the five elements.

If you would rather start with yourself than with theory, take the dosha quiz. Your dosha, the balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha you were born with, is the most practical way into everything this section will explain.