Sattvic Tamasic Rajasic - The 3 Gunas Of Nature

[Leon]

All three gunas are always present in all beings and objects surrounding us but vary in their relative amounts. We humans have the unique ability to consciously alter the levels of the gunas in our bodies and minds. The gunas cannot be separated or removed in oneself, but can be consciously acted upon to encourage their increase or decrease.

A guna can be increased or decreased through the interaction and influence of external objects, lifestyle practices and thoughts.

Tamas is a state of darkness, inertia, inactivity and materiality. Tamas manifests from ignorance and deludes all beings from their spiritual truths. To reduce tamas avoid tamasic foods, over sleeping, over eating, inactivity, passivity and fearful situations. Tamasic foods include heavy meats, and foods that are spoiled, chemically treated, processed or refined.

Rajas is a state of energy, action, change and movement. The nature of rajas is of attraction, longing and attachment and rajas strongly binds us to the fruits of our work. To reduce rajas avoid rajasic foods, over exercising, over work, loud music, excessive thinking and consuming excessive material goods. Rajasic foods include fried foods, spicy foods, and stimulants.

Sattva is a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence. Sattva is the guna that yogi/nis achive towards as it reduces rajas and tamas and thus makes liberation possible. To increase sattva reduce both rajas and tamas, eat sattvic foods and enjoy activities and environments that produce joy and positive thoughts. Sattvic foods include whole grains and legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables that grow above the ground. All of the yogic practices were developed to create sattva in the mind and body. Thus, practicing yoga and leading a yogic lifestyle strongly cultivates sattva.

[clara927]

This post has a lot of useful information.

For me there is a direct relationship with the food I eat and the way I feel, physically, mentally and emotionally.

I really appreciate this post.

[Leon]

It goes without saying, what you eat you become, just as what you think about all day you become. Anything that fills your mind, body or spirit will have an effect on your life. It is wise to choose the things that are more beneficial for you than not.

Thoughts can be as toxic for you as food types, not everything will suit you, or will be good for you in large amounts. The path of moderation, the middle path is always best. The path of least resistance, the simple way.

There is no need for extremes, they only cause you problems in the longterm, you must keep everything simple, never get too carried away with something, but neither should you care too little. The middle path is the way of correct thinking.

[seekingbliss]

Namaskar All, very nice post.

[samy03]

We all are living in a world which we call as "KALIYUG".

Every YUG, has its own impact in the creations of nature at that time it runs.

In Kaliyug, its being said by the Rishis/Saints that, Rajas & Tamas will be very high in this time. And, thats what we all see in us.

It's true that these gunas cannot be removed from us. As, they are the part of GOD.

To create something it needs a Satvik pravriti/nature.

To maintain/manage something, it needs a Rajasik praviti/nature.

To destroy something, it needs a Tamasik praviti/nature.


So, they are equally important as being used by the GOD while doing something.

Now, the question comes : Why we humans are so negative/positive in our thoughts?

And the answer is : It's the Nature of the vibrations of one among these 3 gunas, under which we live at that point the most.

That's why, it's always recommended to see and look upon on your entertainment activities, choosing your society of interactions, food habits (that effect your physical body and mind), sleeping disorders, importance of water, wakening up early morning before sunrise, addictions & there causes, lifestyle behaviors, reading spiritual books, avoiding to visit places where the tamas is on its peek, like pubs etc.

So, its in you only to act and behave by judging the level of the presence of these 3 gunas within you.

Try to do meditation/traatak.

The more you slow down on your thought, the faster you will grow the Satavik guna (where actually the GOD lives).

That doesn't mean that GOD is not in the other two gunas. But to meet GOD, you need to have that level of SATAVIKTA within you, as required to earn something for what we all are here for in the nature.

God Bless everyone.