The 3 Gunas (Qualities of the Universe)
The 3 gunas are tamas, rajas and sattva. They can be used to describe tendencies in everything in existence. They are not necessarily bad, nor good. If we can understand them, we can make better choices and create an outcome that is more desireable.
Tamas is the quality of stability or one side of inertia. It is the heaviness or inability to move a heavy object. It is dark in quality and manifests as sleepiness, sadness, depression confusion and misunderstanding in the mind. Extreme tamas can lead to extreme darkness and death.
Rajas is the quality of movement and passion. At the physical level, it's constant movement. At the mental level, it's a busy mind unable to remain with one object or subject for a period of time. Extreme rajas can lead to attachment, jealously or hatred. When balanced, it is the quality of passion and excitement that can propel us to greater accomplishments.
Sattva is the quality of clarity, wisdom and love (without attachment). Sattva is the quality a pure yogi will seek to create in both mind and body. A sattvic body is light (strength to weight ratio) and a sattvic mind is clear and projects love and compassion. This is ideal for a spiritual seeker.
A balance in each of these gunas is ideal for the regular person. Too much tamas or rajas can lead us to a path less desirable. Understanding how we got there and how we can get out of being dominated by these qualities is knowledge worth having!
Below are some documents to help you understand these theories and private lessons or trainings with me will help you to solidify them in your life and practices. My teacher's teacher would say, "Practice without knoweldge/understanding is blind. Understanding without practice is futile." This understanding or knowledge is critical for anyone who is serious about their path through yoga.
Tamas is the quality of stability or one side of inertia. It is the heaviness or inability to move a heavy object. It is dark in quality and manifests as sleepiness, sadness, depression confusion and misunderstanding in the mind. Extreme tamas can lead to extreme darkness and death.
Rajas is the quality of movement and passion. At the physical level, it's constant movement. At the mental level, it's a busy mind unable to remain with one object or subject for a period of time. Extreme rajas can lead to attachment, jealously or hatred. When balanced, it is the quality of passion and excitement that can propel us to greater accomplishments.
Sattva is the quality of clarity, wisdom and love (without attachment). Sattva is the quality a pure yogi will seek to create in both mind and body. A sattvic body is light (strength to weight ratio) and a sattvic mind is clear and projects love and compassion. This is ideal for a spiritual seeker.
A balance in each of these gunas is ideal for the regular person. Too much tamas or rajas can lead us to a path less desirable. Understanding how we got there and how we can get out of being dominated by these qualities is knowledge worth having!
Below are some documents to help you understand these theories and private lessons or trainings with me will help you to solidify them in your life and practices. My teacher's teacher would say, "Practice without knoweldge/understanding is blind. Understanding without practice is futile." This understanding or knowledge is critical for anyone who is serious about their path through yoga.
| 3_gunas_new_psychology_handout.pdf |
| gunas_and_creation_samkhya.pdf |
| understanding_the_gunas.pdf |
