Communication from an Ayurvedic perspective

Communication helps us to understand each other, means exchange and participation - communication is our life. Through it, information is constantly exchanged internally and externally. You cannot not communicate.

Classical Ayurveda already emphasised the importance of beneficial communication for health 2,000 years ago. Combined with today's knowledge of communication psychology, this creates a valuable symbiosis with multiple benefits: in Ayurvedic diagnostics and therapy, to promote mental health and to regulate interpersonal relationships.

Three types of communication

The Latin verb communicate stands for two important aspects of communication: sharing or communicating and uniting, making together.

How do we convey our message to others? In three ways at the same time:

Through the spoken Word = verbal communication.
Through our Voice = paraverbal communication.
Through our Body language = non-verbal communication.

The verbal communication takes place directly or indirectly through our language and the written word. Important features are the choice of words, vocabulary and the forming of sentences. Logical thought processes can be easily grasped verbally.

The paraverbal communication contains linguistic (our voice) and non-linguistic parts in the form of pauses in speech. The spectrum of the voice includes the pitch, volume, intonation, articulation, tempo and melody of speech. The voice conveys the respective mental mood of the speaker.

The non-verbal communication includes the partial aspects of gaze, facial expressions, gestures, habitus and posture. Important characteristics are eye contact / averting the gaze, the contraction of our facial muscles, the gesticulation of our hands, demeanour and behaviour as well as symmetry, erectness and stability.

According to scientific studies, the verbal part of the overall message is a maximum of 10%, the paraverbal part 30-40% and the non-verbal part over 50%. This means that we are not primarily receiving, what our dialogue partner says, but above all like he communicates vocally and physically!

The experienced Ayurveda diagnostician therefore not only pays attention to the patient's verbal communication, which is often prepared or rehearsed. Rather, he observes and interprets the signals of the body and voice, which reveal much more about the person's condition.

This is why an initial Ayurvedic diagnostic assessment is only ever possible in direct personal contact, as body language is missing in telephone communication and the voice is also missing in email or written correspondence.

Communication from an Ayurvedic perspective

Verbal, para-verbal and non-verbal communication is controlled by our mind, which is characterised by three qualities (triguna): sattva, rajas and tamas:

Sattva stands for cognition, intelligence and harmony. Under its influence, the mind can perform its functions optimally.
Rajas is the field of tension between attachment (desire) and aversion from which energy is generated. The mind functions selectively under its influence.
Tamas expresses the ignorance and resistance of the mind. Under its influence, the mind loses its abilities and works incorrectly.

The tasks of our mind lie in perception, the control of our sensory organs and organs of action. Emotions arise in the mind and also dissolve there. The three most important faculties are discernment (buddhi), determination (dhriti) and memory (smriti).

The mind controls the body through the senses and organs of action and influences our entire behaviour in terms of diet and lifestyle. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are functional aspects of our body whose condition is largely determined by the mind.

The knowledge of the connection and interaction between mind and body is one of the greatest insights of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic diagnostics, prevention and therapy are based on this knowledge.

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas influence Vata, Pitta and Kapha - in modern terms this is called Psychosomatics. And vice versa, the physical environment influences the mind that resides in the body - which is summarised by the term Somatopsychology can be described.

Communication from the perspective of Vata, Pitta and Kapha

In the descriptions of physical constitutions, the classical Ayurveda compendia give concrete indications of the characteristics of communication.

Vata dominated constitutions absorb information quickly, like to talk a lot, but not always in a considered and coherent way. As a result, they sometimes get lost in the details or go from „stick to stick“. Their voice is often hoarse, dry and rather deep. The pace of speech is fast, they can quickly become enthusiastic - but are just as quickly irritated or disillusioned. Facial expressions and gestures are pronounced, the body language clearly conveys the principle of movement that controls Vata.

Pitta dominated constitutions stand out due to their sharp intellect and clear, straightforward language. Their messages are always structured and focussed. The volume is often raised, sometimes they come across as unpleasantly lecturing. Their communication embodies the fire element, which controls Pitta.

Kapha dominated constitutions stand out due to their calmness and composure in speech, voice and body, which are created by the heavy elements of earth and water. The pace of speech is slow, the message peaceful and easy to understand. At times the performance can seem boring as it lacks the necessary tension.

Communication from the perspective of sattva, rajas and tamas

If we combine the findings of modern communication psychology with the spiritual characteristics of Ayurveda, we arrive at the following categorisation.

The Sattva dominated communication is based on empathetic listening and conveys profound content in a few words using a soothing voice without attacking or judgemental statements and with the greatest possible empathy.

The Rajas dominated communication pursues the goal of persuasion and instruction without contradiction, using aggressively hurtful words in a harsh voice and tense, combative body language.

The Tamas dominated communication is characterised by a lack of interest, misplaced choice of words, inadequate sentence formation and low-intelligence content with poor articulation and body language lacking in tension.

All people are controlled physically by Vata, Pitta and Kapha and mentally by Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. This is why the above-mentioned characteristics appear weakened and mixed according to the individual combination.

There is also a level of communication that goes beyond the scientifically documented three levels in Ayurveda: our thoughts. Through them, we send out messages every moment that can be healing or unhealing for ourselves and our fellow human beings.

If our thoughts are of a sattvic nature, sattva can naturally enter into our verbal, para-verbal and non-verbal communication - for the benefit of all.

With best wishes for your health,