The Gunas

According to Yoga and Arejuveda, everything and everyone in our manifest world are of three basic qualities/forces known as The Gunas. Most things and people we encounter are a mixture of the three, however understanding their individual specifications enables us to simplify some of the complexities of life. The gunas are: Satva - Good, pure, light and clear; Rajas - Active, unstable, mobile and passionate; Tamas - Unclear, spoiled, dark, bad and toxic. For example, when we experience something as uplifting and good we are interacting primarily with satva. Comparatively, when something is stressful and painful, rajas are elevated, and when something is depressing, it can be explained as predominantly tamas. You can also identify tamas as regressing, rajas as unchanging (running in place) and satva as progressing. 

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To influence the balance of The gunas you first have to identify them. To do that you have to become the seer or Drishta. This unlocks your capacity to be present and to separate yourself from the scene or the Drishya and  to realize the true (and eternal) nature of your energy. Once you’ve established this insight it becomes easier to investigate the nature of the forces affecting you as well as their constant flux. 

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Overactive rajas and tamas can be positively balanced by satvic behaviours, thoughts, practices and intakes such as:

• Meditation
• Pranayama
• Prayer
• Nutritious foods
• Thoughtful Asana
• Reading of Scriptures (modern translation: Reading things by people who inspire)
• Consumption of well intended entertainment 
• Positive influences and generally seeking out positive energies.

These same things will elevate satva and create a positive feedback loop where satva breeds more satva. 

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In order to find a flow which improves the balance of satva, you’ll also want to reduce tamas and moderate rajas by practicing good habits that are in line with your personal, moral and physical health. Morals don't have to box you in, don’t be scared of this phrase, it’s not about applying others standards or ideas on to your way of living, it's just about recognizing what stuff makes you feel good vs “sticky” or plain bad.

Morals are a matter of code, your code, that you mindfully program yourself with. Morals to me, growing up, were synonymous with one, “righteous path,” which often alluded to one, correct (and boring) way to live. Today I know that my moral observations actually empower me to remain as radical and punk as I want to be. These observations do not limit me but, in fact, honor the rights and wrongs of my inner true nature and simplify my journey to my own destiny.

Let's add some more satvic practices to the list, truly, the words alone can become the code of change!

• Be honest and create trust (this can happen in many ways on many levels)
• Use clear ways to communicate (even sarcasm is only funny if it's clear)
• Observe how others are effected and be compassionate towards differences
• Treat your body right, consider what you eat and how you exercise 
• Accept that everything changes 
• Be opened minded and curious
• Be patient
• Practice gratuity 
• Honor the ideas, belongings and feelings of others
• Study yourself
• Learn new things
• Challenge yourself
• Read lists like these, reread them, make your own versions with your own style, let the good stuff in!

Positivity becomes the easiest to achieve as a continuous circular practice. Elevating satva is one great way to balance. In addition, it's also extremely important to decrease the input (external or internal) of tamas and rajas. 

Tamasic things to avoid are

• Oversleeping
• Overeating
• Depressing substances/alcohol 
• Negativity/depressive intake
• Unclarity and lies
• Corruptions in the self (sometimes easier said than done, forgive yourself)
• Don’t compare individuals (including yourself)
• Avoid animosity
• Poisoning (physically, mentally or spiritually)
• Don't confuse yourself or others

Rajastic things to avoid are:

• Distress. Eustress (beneficial stress which stimulate positively, yes it’s a thing) is different and has positive qualities
• Uncertainty 
• Doing without purpose or for the purpose of reward
• Feeding expectations
• Indulging
• (False)Ego boosting
• Attachment to stuff that no longer serves you

The main problems with tamastic and rajastic imbalances can be observed through Newton's first two laws of gravity. As with objects, these energy imbalances continue on in the direction in which they are moving, and their velocity increases over time and as they gain mass. This perpetuating downward spiral brings on suffering and is enough to severely depress any human being. 

Darkness has a tendency to fester, and the darker it gets, the harder it is for the person that is depressed to recognize  light. Of course it's important to acknowledge that you are subject to outside influences and that the world is full of obstacles. Where you live, how safe your environment is, a lack of privilege and support, illness, accumulation of negative experiences and even learned unwillingness, faith and fear, all make it that much harder, sometimes making it feel even  impossible to escape rajas and tamas in order  to attract satva.

Thankfully, an opposite force of equal or greater value may change the direction of the object (Newton's third law of motion!) causing the object or, in this case, a tangible energy,  to start accelerating from the negative or neutral and to gain momentum towards the positive!  This is why it’s extra important for everyone who has access to internal and external light to generously and respectfully grow and spread it. So, if you’re feeling just a little lazy, down or discouraged, finding the motivation to change the direction of the quality of the force you’re flowing with won't just help you, but will genuinely serve the greater good of the world.

In addition to above techniques for increasing satva and decreasing rajas and tamas, there are many formulas and recipes expressed by many Masters (not just Yogis, although I’m especially partial to all things Yoga since it’s always so inclusive), to initiate this counteractivation in order to minimize suffering and promote wellbeing.

Om Shanti!