According to Ayurveda, the body functions on several levels: physical, subtle and causal. The 3 energies Prana, Ojas and Tejas act on the subtle level. They are essences necessary for good mental and physical health. They are associated with their respective doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Balancing these three essences enables the body and mind to function optimally. It's important to nourish each of them equally. This requires a healthy lifestyle and appropriate exercise.
Prana, the vital force
In Ayurveda, Prana symbolizes the breath of life. It is the subtle essence of the elements of air and ether. Prana is the energy that keeps all living beings alive. Linked to the body's biological and physiological functions, it materializes in breathing and cellular activity. Also present in consciousness, this vital energy fills the physical zones on which we focus our attention.
Prana controls our heartbeat, as well as every voluntary and involuntary movement of our body. It also governs our motor and sensory functions.
On the mental level, this vital essence fixes consciousness in the present moment and stimulates thoughts, emotions, memories and recall.
All beings are endowed with this subtle energy, including plants. As soon as a fruit or vegetable is picked, its Prana begins to diminish. Freshly-picked produce provides the maximum of its vital force.
To nourish and maintain Prana, we recommend meditation, deep relaxation, nature walks and pranayama breathing exercises. Meditative activities develop mindfulness and increase Prana.
Tejas, clarity of mind
Associated with the element of fire, Tejas is the subtle essence of clarity of mind. It represents the light, radiance and intellectual energy of our body. Its main function is to maintain and nourish intelligence and reason.
By converting food into energy, Tejas is responsible for the proper assimilation of nutrients by our body's tissues and cells. At the same time, it is involved in the mental assimilation of our emotions and perceptions. Sun-fed foods are rich in Tejas, particularly those with high chlorophyll content. It's therefore a good idea to eat plants that have received the sun's rays as much as possible.
Subtle energies are interdependent and need to be balanced in our metabolism. Too much Tejas consumes Ojas. This imbalance can lead to a weakening of our immune system and the onset of disease.
Cooking makes it easier for our bodies to assimilate this subtle essence present in food. For example, ghee, the clarified butter obtained after cooking, is itself rich in Tejas. It contributes to the proper digestion of food, making it an excellent ally of Ayurvedic nutrition.
Concentration exercises and contemplative activities increase Tejas levels. Meditating in front of the sunrise or sunset, or in front of the flame of a ghee candle, nourishes our clarity of mind.
Ojas, the spiritual vitality
Ojas is the most subtle of the three vital energies. It is defined as "the essence of the seven body tissues". It nourishes our vitality.
To produce Ojas, the body ingests food, which is then purified through the seven tissues. The stronger and more present the Tejas, the better the digestion and the more effective the Ojas harvested. It takes at least 35 days for the nutrients to pass through the tissues and reach their goal of becoming Ojas. Recyclable, its power enables it to circulate sustainably in a healthy organism.
Ojas is linked to good health and contributes to the body's immunity and resistance to disease. It also contributes to the development, strengthening and stability of cells. A strong, balanced Ojas increases longevity on the physical level and enhances wisdom and compassion on the psychic level.
To enhance this subtle essence, we need to consume good quality food in sufficient quantity. Ghee butter, milk, rice, dates, seeds and other wholegrain cereals provide the best nutrients.
Balanced Ojas in the body translates into love and compassion for all beings.
The 3 vital energies: Prana, Ojas and Tejas and the 3 doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha
Prana, Tejas and Ojas, as subtle essences, can be linked to their respective doshas. This means that Prana is considered the subtle essence of the Vata dosha, Tejas the subtle essence of the Pitta dosha and Ojas the subtle essence of the Kapha dosha. While the doshas express themselves in the raw form of the elements, the essences of each dosha act at a more refined level of our body and mind.
When a person is "Prano-sar", which means he or she possesses exceptional pranic energy, he or she is bound to be an excellent communicator, a genius musician, an artistic creator, a renowned orator or writer.
A "Tejo-sar" person has a bright, shining presence, is warm and open, and is destined to be a leader, an advocate of justice, a scientist or a scholar.
An "Ojo-sar" person, with their cool, calm and loving demeanor, has the natural ability to be a healer and caregiver. They are stable and wise, and are likely to have a green thumb, as their supportive energy fertilizes all the seeds and roots they plant.
We can observe these essences all around us, in nature, in the seasons and in our meals. Through our physical Prana, we breathe deeply to inhale the oxygen-rich fragrances of the garden, through Tejas, we can perceive with awareness the brilliant sights around us, and through Ojas, we can interact with the fertile seeds of creation that propagate new life around us.
