Prakriti

Have been reading “Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution" by Robert Svoboda. The concept is not new to me. In my studies and teachings of various herbal and dietary ways alignment with the season’s providing food and herbal medicines and energetics is part of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Ayurveda, Macrobiotics, and western traditonal cultural understanding. As part of my trip to W. Ashville, NC this past week I received an Ayurvedic consult from Joseph Immel at the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism. Joseph is a Graduate of Ayurvedic Institute with world renowned Dr. Vasant Lad in Albuquerque, NM. He recommended Prakriti as an introductory to Ayurvedic principles. On my way home I stopped at Whole Foods in Cary NC and the woman at the checkout’s name was Prakriti. This, I am sure, was an affirmation directed to me that I was on the right path. 

 h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / P r a k [ t i

Prakrti or Prakriti or Prakruti (from Sanskrit language prakrti) means "nature" [1]. It is, according to the Bhagavad Gita, the basic nature of intelligence by which the Universe exists and functions. It is described in Bhagavad Gita as the "primal motive force". It is the essential constituent of the universe and is at the basis of all the activity of the creation. [2] It is composed of the three gunas which are tendencies or modes of operation, known as sattva (creation), rajas (preservation), and tamas, (destruction) [3] Sattva encompasses qualities of goodness, light, and harmony. [4] According to the Yoga Vasistha, people who are of a satvic nature and whose activities are mainly based on satva, will tend to seek answers regarding the origin and truth of material life. With proper support they are likely to reach liberation.[5] Rajas is associated with concepts of energy, activity, ambition, and passion; so that, depending on how it is used, it can either have a supportive or hindering effect on the evolution of the soul. [6] Tamas is commonly associated with inertia, darkness, insensitivity. [7] Souls who are more tamasic are considered imbued in darkness and take the longest to reach liberation.[8] Prakriti is closely associated with the concept of Maya within Vedic scripture.[9]

Mulaprakriti can be translated as "the root of nature" or "root of Prakriti"[10]; it is a closer definition of 'basic matter; and is often defined as the essence of matter, that aspect of the Absolute which underlines all the objective aspects of Nature[11]. While plain Prakriti encompasses classical earth element, i.e. solid matter, Mulaprakriti includes any and all classical elements, including any considered not discovered yet (some tattvas.)[12]

Devi Prakriti Shakti in the context of Shaktis as forces unifies Kundalini, Kriya, Itcha, Para, Jnana, Mantrika Shaktis. Each is in a chakra.[13]

Prakriti also means nature.[14] Nature can be described as environment. [15] It can also be used to denote the 'feminine' in sense of the 'male' being the purusha.

According to the ancient vedic science of Ayurveda, the three gunas (sattva, rajas and tamas) as they pertain to the human physiology are called doshas: kapha, pitta, vata. [16] The balance or imbalance of these doshas defines the prakriti or nature of one's body. [17]