The Gunas: Sattva, Rajas & Tamas

Have you ever experienced a moment of bliss, when everything in your world just feels exactly as it should? A clarity comes over you, along with a sense of deep contentment? This is the energy of sattva, one of the three gunas which are energetic forces that weave together to form the Universe and everything in it. The unique expression of the gunas within each person gives that person their self-identity. Becoming more aware of the gunas is a useful tool in analyzing and understanding the patterns of our thoughts and emotions. 

In addition to sattva, there is rajas and tamas. Sattva is the energy of balance, clarity, contentment, generosity. Rajas is the energy of movement, ambition, creativity, agitation. And tamas is the energy of inertia, stability, lethargy, rigidity. They are all in constant flux, pushing and pulling their way towards dominance, ever-changing yet always together. Therefore the proportional ratio of the three gunas comprising a material entity is always changing. These three energetic forces play amongst themselves to drive our manifest world and all matter is considered to be a combination of the three interrelated gunas. Although all three gunas are present in every material entity, there is often a dominant quality. In this way, inner transformation is occurring constantly.

When we are sattva dominant the light of knowledge shines in all of the body’s senses. When we are rajas dominant there is greed, activity/actions, restlessness and sense desires. And when tamas is dominant there is obscurity, inactivity, inattention and delusion. But how do we know which guna is more dominant?

We can become more aware of the gunas by paying close attention to the tendencies that arise during our yoga practice, meditation practice or any other mind-body activity you engage in. Attuning to sensations in the physical body during your practice. Encouraging a self-reflective approach, asking questions that will help you deepen your self-awareness. Where are my senses directed? How am I breathing? What do I hear? Is there a pattern in my thoughts  or feelings? What is associated with those patterns? Are the patterns affected by the time of day or time of month? By engaging in this reflective process, we can begin to identify the subtle influences of the gunas in our lives, paving the way for greater understanding and personal transformation.

Keep inquiring. Keep searching. Keep trusting. You are exactly where you need to be at exactly the time you need to be there. I welcome any questions via email, text or call, so please reach out! I am here to support you. Take care of yourself and each other.

In Service,

Madi