Three Gunas
The state of the mind is a very important aspect of a person. The 'rishis' (sages) understood that everything in this world has got three principal modes. The tendency to act, rest and balance is within all living entities. Rajas, Tamas and Sattva (together known as the tri-gunas) are the three modes of the universe inherent in every particle, without which we can't exist as recommended by
Indian Ayurveda . Generally these three modes are applied to understanding the mind, since the mind is the more subtle aspect of our body.
The three modes are not permanent. They are changeable according to our association and action. One can change the modes of mind through constant practice. We can evolve from rajas or tamas to satwa, the balance and harmony, through acute self awareness, humility and diligence. A well-balanced male should have 70% sattva, 20% rajas and 10% tamas. A well-balanced female should have 70% sattva, 10% rajas and 20% tamas. While a true guru would be 100% satvic.
To determine your current predominant mental state look at the following:
Mental Clarity | Sattva | Rajas | Tamas |
Concentration Memory Will power Honesty Peace of mind Creativity Spiritual study Mantra/Prayer Meditation Selfless service Relationships Anger Fear Desire Pride Depression Love Violent Behaviour Attachment Forgiveness Diet Addictive behaviour Sensory impression Sleep requirement Sexual activity Control of senses Speech Cleanliness Work |
Very clear Good Good Strong Always Generally High Daily Daily Often Harmonious Rarely Rarely Little Modes Never Universal Never Detached Forgive easily Vegetarian Never Calm Little Controlled Good Peaceful High Selfless |
Hyperactive Moderate Moderate Variable Mostly Occasionally Moderate Occasionally Occasionally Occasionally Passionate Sometimes Sometimes Some Some ego Sometimes Personal Sometimes Occasionally With effort Some meat Occasionally Mixed Moderate Intense Moderate A gitated Moderate Reward centered |
Cloudy Poor Poor Weak Rarely Rarely Low Never Never Rarely Disturbed Frequently Frequently Uncontrollable Vain Frequently Lacking in love Frequently Attached Grudges Frequent meat Frequently Disturbed Excessive uncontrollable Low Dull Low Aimless |
Sattva
Sattva is characterized by balance and harmony. It is the state of harmony, indiscrimination, stability of mind, efficiency of handling matters without partiality and selfishness, emotional stability and detachment. Satvic people tend to have an inherent instinct for cleanliness and possess an effortless wisdom reflected in their action.
Rajas
Rajas is the inherent tendency to be active. This is essential to get things done. When in excess, Rajas results in hyperactivity, aggression, passion, severe attachment, agitation and regrettable actions. When unbalanced rajas is considered a disturbing influence on the mind. Rajasic people tend to be power hungry and dissatisfied with what positions or possessions they obtain, they are constantly striving for more often at the cost of those around them. They have a brave yet jealous and cruel character.
Tamas
Tamas presents as inertia. Rest or sleep is impossible without this quality. It provides grounding and stability. Its increase results in inertia, laziness, apathy, ignorance and depression. Excessive tamas is darkness.Tamasic people tend to avoid work, with a penchant for uncontrolled sense of gratification and wasting time. They avoid cleanliness and are not health conscious.
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