From the common insight of Ayurveda and Enneagram, human mind and personality that we usually mistake ourselves for are considered as a small part of human essence and as an object which can be monitored or even applied for certain purpose. Moreover, ...
From the common insight of Ayurveda and Enneagram, human mind and personality that we usually mistake ourselves for are considered as a small part of human essence and as an object which can be monitored or even applied for certain purpose. Moreover, they classify human categories to overcome under the above premise broadly into 3 types for descriptive purpose, and consider these 3 human categories as a starting point of psychological therapy and conscious development. However, the Enneagram has been established as a theory of personality type, and the three basic human categories have been further classified into details. So it is now positively applied in counseling owing to various studies about possible psychological approaches to each human category. On the other hand, most studies on Ayurveda have been in pursuit of possible approaches to 3 human categories according to physical constitutions, but have typically overlooked psychological approaches to each category.
Thus, in order for studies on Ayurveda to take easier-to-understand psychological or therapeutic approach, this study sought to compare Tri Dosha(Ayurvedic), which has been so far recognized as physical constitution types from the perspectives of Enneagram's personality categories(i.e. Triadic Self) and its structural, physical and psychological characteristics, in parallel with literature reviews so as to take a possible approach to personality categorization. The results of comparison can be outlined as follows:
First, in terms of structural characteristics, both theories classify human broadly into three categories on the basis of microcosmic theory. Here, Ayurveda classifies human into three categories through three basic dispositions, i.e. vata(space + air), pitta(water + fire), kapha(soil + water) that are all produced from 5 basic elements such as space, air, water, fire and soil. And Ayurveda introduces prana, tejas and ojas as 3 subcategories working for these 3 dispositions. On the other hand, Enneagram classifies human into three categories, i.e. motion-based type, emotion-based type and thinking-based type, and also introduces 3 impulses, i.e. instinct for self-preservation, social instinct and sexual instinct, which are three subcategories working for the three human categories as listed above.
As explained above, Ayurveda and Enneagram are structurally comparable to each other in that both of them classify human nature broadly into three categories and pursue balanced human type by interactions of three subcategories working for those categories.
Second, in terms of physical characteristics, this study compared Tri Dosha from the standpoint of major bodily region, impression, physical constitution and sensory organs as mentioned in common by these 2 theories. As a result, it was found that similar propensities categorized between the two theories included vata vs. head-based type, pitta vs. chest-based type and kapha vs. intestine-based type. It was also found that vata vs. head-based type as well as pitta vs. chest-based type were consistent with each other in physical characteristics, impression and physical constitution, except major sensor organs, whereas kapha vs. intestine-based type were consistent with each other in physical characteristics and constitution, but weren't so in impression and major sensory organs.
Third, in terms of psychological characteristics, this study compared Tri Dosha according to propensity, energy type, dominant emotion, sociality and business skills. As a result, it was found that similar propensities categorized between two theories included vata vs. head-based type, pitta vs. chest-based and kapha vs. intestine-based. Vata vs. head- based type were similar to each other in dominant emotion, but were totally different from each another in sociality, and had both similarities and differences in propensity and business skills between them. Pitta vs. chest-based type were different from each other in dominant emotion and business skills, but were comparable to each other in propensity and sociality. Kapha vs. intestine-based type were different from each other in dominant emotion, but were mostly comparable to each other in propensity, sociality and business skills.
Therefore, from both physical and psychological perspective, it is found that vata vs. head-based type, pitta vs. chest-based type and kapha vs. intestine-based type are human categories that have similar propensities.
Fourth, Tri Dosha concentrated on the well-being of balance between body, mind and soul from holistic perspectives, and developed Ayurvedic theories through various ways to positively influence body, sensory area and mind, whereas Enneagram also focused on such a health of balance between body, mind and soul, but set up the orientation of psychological therapy and counseling exclusively toward mind control and care.
Conclusively, it is expected that personality categorization based on Tri Dosha will contribute to applying dynamic and various Ayurvedic therapies to counseling practices. Furthermore, it is also expected that application of various Ayurvedic mind therapies even to unwilling clients will be helpful to get new successful trials for motivating them to join counseling sessions positively.