Differences Between Eastern and Western World View

Western Material View	Eastern Spiritual View
On Man as a Creature in the World â We are a physical body first and fore most, a mental body second, there is no rational or verifiable proof of the existence of a Soul or operating force behind mind and body, many disbelieve its existence. Why we inherit the circumstances of our lives is not explained or understood.	On Man as a Creature in the World â We are Spiritual creatures first and foremost, having a human experience in this lifetime. This Spiritual nature is the primary force, which operates the grosser layers of mind and body. The circumstances we inherit in our lives are based on our Soulâs karma.
On the True God: One God â one true religion â those who accept this one God will receive his grace, those who donât will suffer, perhaps even in eternal hell. God is both loving and wrathful.	On the True God: Everything is God, including man. Religions are simply spiritual paths that ultimately arrive at the same goal. God is pure love â pure knowledge and all - powerful. It is our misunderstanding of this that brings pain.
On Knowing God: It is presumptuous for man to proclaim to know God. The linchpin of religion is not experience of God directly, but belief in his existence and faith in the teachings of his messenger. Only Godâs messenger truly knows God.	On Knowing God: Each person is capable of knowing God and will come to this knowledge through a direct experience, in communion with their deeper selves. Knowledge of God is commensurate to Self - Knowledge as we are all God.
On Manâs Plight: Manâs suffering is due to disobedience and failure to adhere to Godâs will and a non - acceptance of Godâs laws. (Commandments) Man is inherently bad or wicked and in need of salvation; otherwise he will do wicked things.	On Manâs Plight: Our suffering is due to our karma. This karma comes from attachment to the limited effects of our actions. This attachment is the result of Self- forgetfulness, not wickedness. As we mature, we reclaim our inherent goodness.
On Virtue and Salvation: If one obeys Gods laws for a moral and ethical life and believes in Godâs messenger as the agency of salvation, eternal happiness is assured in the afterlife.	On Virtue and Salvation: Virtuous conduct and right beliefs are the foundation for a Spiritual life and the first step in purification. These are necessary for a mystical communion with God to occur.
On the origin of Religion: Religion has a historical beginning with a prophet or an event in the past. From this past event, a future afterlife becomes a central theme. Time and history are linear and never repeated.	On the origin of Religion: Religion is cosmic, transcending human history. Emphasis is placed on here and now, so as to experience ourselves as God directly. Time is circular and permeates many incarnations and lifetimes.

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    As was stated earlier, animating all creation is a state of pure energy awareness. It is beyond time space, it has no beginning or end, and no qualities. At the proper time, the dance of creation begins, animating the 5 elements and a physical body takes shape around the awakened spiritual energy.
According to Ayurveda the resulting physical body has specific, observable qualities that are a mixture of the unique combination of each of the 5 elements. Every physical entity has a unique combination of elements in differing degrees. This combination of elements is called the prakriti. 

The prakriti has been further refined around 3 distinct archetypes based on the attributes of the 3 Middle elements:
Kapha â stability - related to Water and Earth
Pitta â metabolism - related to Fire and Water 
Vata â motion - related to Air And Space 

    Every cell must have some component of stability. (kapha) otherwise it would disintegrate. Every cell must have some metabolic function (Pitta) otherwise it could not grow and sustain. And every cell must have some motion (vata) otherwise it would be dead. 
Just as every cell has each of these qualities in some degree, every living being also has a combination of these 3 doshas. The combination is different for every plant animal and person. For example someoneâs prakriti may be: 25% Vata â 50% Pitta â 25% Kapha â giving them a predominance of Pitta Dosha. 
    Not only does a personâs predominant dosha indicate their physical body type and constitution, it also indicates what will be their main psychological attributes or imbalances. The term dosha actually means âimbalance.â As was stated earlier, it is a state of disequilibrium which caused our body to be created out of the pure harmony at the center of our being. Our purpose in life is to re connect to that natural state of harmony, to return to God, if you will. Ayurveda helps us to return to our natural God like state by teaching us how to see beyond, and eventually balance our doshas, our imbalances. 

The 3 Doshas and the 5 Elements
    Kapha (water / earth) - The Kapha Dosha is mainly Water, with a little Earth, as the Water is contained in the bodily tissues. (Earth) 
Body type: Like water, their skin is moist, and retains fluid easily. Body tissues are made of kapha, thus they have a heavy body. In nature, water and earth makes mud. The bodyâs mud is phlegm. Kapha types become congested the easiest. They are often the healthiest body type overall but they can have a tendency to diabetes later in life from having indulged in sweets. They are usually slow moving, yet steady. 
Positive Psychology: They are generally very pleasant to be around as the water element rules emotion. They can be passive and gentle in nature and tend to sentimentality and nurturing. They are slow to get started with things, but once a task is begun they have the most endurance of all the doshas. Most Kapha types love to cook, and eat! 
Negative Psychology: Their negative psychology comes from too much Earth âdamning upâ their emotional flow. They are the most stubborn of all dosha types and can tend to depression, denial, passive aggression and attachment. Often times they will try to make due in the most difficult of situations for fear of changing them. Denying problems even exist as they cling to destructive patterns they are stuck in. Sometimes the hardest thing for a kapha type to do is analyze a situation objectively. As they lack the opposite element of ether. This is the first step toward positive change. They can be unwilling to acknowledge a problem even exists. 

    Pitta (fire / water) â The Pitta dosha is mainly Fire and a little Water, as the bodiesâ Fire is contained in the hot fluids. (Water) 
Body type: Like fire, their bodies will be warm, with a rosy complexion. They will be of medium build with well - developed muscles. They are usually focused and persistent with sharp penetrating eyes and voices. Pitta is the digestive force in the body, which functions through the bile and acidic digestive fluid. They tend to have heart attacks, high blood pressure and hypertension from overexertion and trying to do too much. 
Positive Psychology: They are passionate, gregarious, playful and warm, with keen intellects and sharp minds. They are born leaders. They are courageous, driven and ambitious as well as logical and very direct. Although they may tend to argue, they are usually right in their assertions. They digest thoughts as effectively as they digest their food. 
Negative Psychology: Their negative psychology comes from not enough water (emotion) and too much passion. With their strong digestion comes a strong appetite and desire nature and a tendency to do too much. These things can deplete their energy. Sex, success, sports, you name it, they want it all and they want to win. They can be overly competitive and aggressive, self â centered, resorting to criticizing and blaming others for their problems. Their basic combative nature is their most destructive trait, which if not reconciled, can lead them to hostility anger and violence. 

Vata (air / ether) â The Vata dosha is formed by Air and some Ether, as Air is contained and moves through Ether. 
Body type: Like air moving through space, their bodies will usually be light, dry and thin. They can be of a pale complexion with veins clearly visible. Their skin tends to be cold like the wind. Vata is the bodyâs motion, thus Vata types will move quickly and usually speak rapidly and often. They are generally flexible yet in pain with joints that crack. They are prone to arthritis and other drying conditions. 
Positive Psychology: They are flexible and creative, communicative and sensitive. They are very adaptable and curious. As being ruled by Air (the mind) and Space (consciousness) they are naturally attuned to the vibrations around them and the most open and sensitive of all doshas. Their perceptions can lead to remarkable breakthroughs. They are the least ego centric of the doshas. 
Negative Psychology: Their negative psychology comes mainly from too much Ether element. When Vata becomes deranged these natives become very ungrounded which leads them into fear, nervousness, anxiety even paranoia. Extreme vata types can turn ordinary life situations into a series of insoluble problems in which they feel trapped. This leads to more stress and problems to analyze over and over again. Their constant mental worry leads to a deeper and deeper disconnect from their bodies, as a lack of the Earth element, and their true nature. 
Balancing the Doshas