The Gunas

Last week I wrote that one of the reasons we practice yoga is to address the Kleshas or five afflictions. This week we've been exploring another reason why we come to the mat and that is to find balance and not just the kind where you stand on one leg. Although being able to keep your center of gravity over your base of support in a more or less controlled manner is highly desirable, this week has been all about The Gunas-Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. 

The Gunas stem from classical Indian philosophy with mention of them in both the Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita. They go way back from a historical perspective, as I guess, even 2500 years ago the ancients had a sense that staying conscious of our overall equilibrium was a good place to be. The word "yoga" stems from the root word of "yug" which means to unite, to join or to come together. To me, this translates as the intertwining and equanimous state of our physical body, our mental/emotional and spiritual aspects of who we are. When we awaken to the interplay of these three aspects and recognize if they are cohabitating harmoniously, we can get feedback into their ever-shifting nature. And the practices of yoga and meditation support us in altering the balance if need be.

Each of the Gunas has their own characteristics. Imagine sitting on a see-saw with both sides of the plank being the same distance away from the earth. On one side sits Rajas, the other Tamas and the balancing point in the middle is Sattva. Our yoga practice aims to keep us as sattvic as possible, right in the middle between too much and too little.

Sattva is seen as a desirable state of consciousness equaling goodness, constructive energy and is harmonious. It is in this state that we have clarity showing itself as beauty, balance, and inspiration, and it promotes life, energy, health, and contentment.

I think of Rajas as being our more caffeinated selves, the energy of change, desire and effort often with an underlying sense of agitation. On the opposite end of the see-saw is Tamas, a heavy, darker energy reflective of inertia, lethargy and concealing the presence of consciousness.

All three Gunas are constantly in flux and our practices of yoga and meditation support us in recognizing how we can best maintain being more centered and close to the middle. The breath can reflect if we are pushing ourselves too hard (Rajas) if it is shallow, held or difficult to detect. If we pay attention, even in the most challenging of postures, to what is happening regarding how we are breathing, we know to stay where we're at or to dial it down.

The Gunas can also be thought of in terms of foods we eat with onions, garlic and lots of spice being rajasic and frozen, preserved or packaged food tamasic (with very little to no prana or life force). A sattvic diet is based on whole, fresh foods with no garlic, onions and just the right amount of spiciness. 

Overall, if we're overly amped, we might want to practice more calming postures or undertake restorative yoga to enhance a shift towards the middle and, conversely, if we are sluggish and need a boost, a more energizing vigorous practice could be the perfect medicine. The point is to pay attention to our current overall state and perhaps be mindful of always doing the same thing rather than having awareness as to what we need on that day or in a particular moment.

My thought of the week is to honor where we are and adjust accordingly. Pay attention to how the shifts take place on a daily basis and what you need to do to move back to the middle. Gone are the days where we sit on one side of the see-saw and the person on the other side goes flying through the air...find balance instead!