Pitta

Pitta - Elements: Fire (sight)

Fire is next in the ascending order of elements. It vibrates faster and is less dense than either earth or water. Unlike the grounding, nurturing, and stabilizing nature of those elements, fire has a stimulating effect, energizing and mobilizing us into action.

When pitta is balanced, it imparts intelligence, powers of observation and discrimination, and excellent concentration and memory. It brings out our leadership skills; it causes us to be more practical, organized, serious, and responsible, and gives us the ability to make quick decisions. The constant and even heat of a balanced pitta provides perseverance, determination, and willpower.

When too little heat is evident, pitta is deficient. Without the energy of fire to ignite our passion, we may become directionless and lack long-term vision. As we find it difficult to sustain and express our own ideas, we may experience the success of others as a threat. We can become despondent and melancholy, lack enthusiasm and motivation and, at times, feel quite hopeless and helpless. A pitta deficiency indicates a need for discrimination, seriousness, and a greater sense of responsibility.

When there is too much heat in our system, pitta is excessive. In our intensity and drive to satisfy our needs, we may become desensitized to the needs of those around us. We can be overly ambitious and, at times, try to impose our will on others aggressively. We can become frustrated and angry with those who don’t listen to us, and defensive when approached by others. We may look for fault in everyone but ourselves.

Signs that you need to balance Pitta

• Are you constantly critical, impatient, and irritable?
• Do you feel obsessed by work or a project, unable to stop for a break?
• Do you wake up in the very early hours of the morning and then find it difficult to get back to sleep?
• Is your skin feeling irritated or more sensitive than usual, breaking out or feeling inflamed?
• Is your hair falling when you shampoo or comb it?
• Do you have problems with heartburn or excess stomach acid?
• Is your tolerance of other people or provoking situations lower than usual? Do you have temper outbursts over minor aggravations? Do you often feel frustrated?
• Do you feel hot even when you are indoors? Do you feel thirsty all the time? Are your eyes red?
• Is your speech often biting and sarcastic? Do you find yourself getting into arguments easily?

If you answered yes to many of the questions above, following a Pitta-balancing diet and lifestyle can help restore balance to Pitta.