Dear J:

As it is with Chinese Medicine, the fundamental philosophical presumptions and cosmology are hostile to the Christian philosophy and cosmology. An Ayurvediche website explains:

The basic premise of Ayurveda is that the entire cosmos or universe is part of one singular absolute. Everything that exists in the vast external universe (macrocosm), also appears in the internal cosmos of the human body (microcosm). The human body consisting of 50-100 million cells, when healthy, is in harmony, self-perpetuating and self-correcting just as the universe is. The ancient Ayurveda text, Charaka, says, "Man is the epitome of the universe. Within man, there is as much diversity as in the world outside. Similarly, the outside world is as diverse as human beings themselves." In other words, all human beings are a living microcosm of the universe and the universe is a living macrocosm of the human beings.

The site further explains that how we come to be unhealthy and how we gain health is pretty much the same as in Chinese medicine -- to balance energies in the body with the universe.

Vatta, Pitta and Kapha are specifically of the order of "balancing" energies. In this case the energies to be brought into balance. This is the Concept of Tri-Dosha in which the "five elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether into three "Doshas":

Dosha means "that which changes." It is a word derived from the root dus, which is equivalent to the English prefix 'dys', such as in dysfunction, dystrophy, etc. In this sense, dosha can be regarded as a fault, mistake, error, or a transgression against the cosmic rhythm. The doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, one with the others. Doshas are required for the life to happen. In Ayurveda, dosha is also known as the governing principles as every living thing in nature is characterized by the dosha.

The three active doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata is related to Air and Ether, Pitta is related to Fire and Water, Kappa is related to Water and Earth. The website explains:

Every person (and thing) contains all three doshas. However, the proportion varies according to the individual and usually one or two doshas predominate. Within each person the doshas are continually interacting with one another and with the doshas in all of nature. This explains why people can have much in common but also have an endless variety of individual differences in the way they behave and respond to their environment. Ayurveda recognizes that different foods, tastes, colors, and sounds affect the doshas in different ways. For example very hot and pungent spices aggravate pitta; but cold, light foods such as salads calm it down. This ability to affect the doshas is the underlying basis for Ayurvedic practices and therapies.

A balance among the tridosha is necessary for health. Together, the tridosha governs all metabolic activities. When their actions in our mind-body constitution are balanced, we experience psychological and physical wellness. When they are somewhat unbalanced, we may feel uneasy. When they are more obviously unbalanced - when one or more of the three dosha influences are excessive or deficient-discernible symptoms of sickness can be observed and experienced.

Regardless of the percentages of vata, pitta, or kapha influences, your basic constitution represents your psychological and physical nature. When balance is maintained, health is at optimum.

All this is nonsense. As with almost everything a grain of truth can be found. Obviously eating well, getting exercise, and the like will facilitate health. One does not need some nonsense Hindu cosmology to know that or or practice a healthful life-style.

The problem is even the parts that may be a grain of truth are inextricably intertwined with the Hindu worldview and cosmology. Hindu meditation and yoga is part of this, too, by the way, which is very dangerous and for which no Christian has any business in participating.

If you wish to maintain a healthful diet talk to a qualified nutrition, but do not go down this dangerous road away from Christianity.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary