The Three Gunas
The Three Gunas
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.
Rajas is a state of energy, action, change, and movement. The nature of rajas is of attraction, longing
and attachment and rajas strongly bind us to the fruits of our work. Other rajasic qualities are anger,
euphoria, anxiety, fear, irritation, worry, restlessness, stress, courage, rumination, determination,
chaos.
Sattva is a state of harmony, balance, joy, and intelligence. Sattva is the guna that yogis achieve
towards as it reduces rajas and tamas and thus makes liberation possible. Other sattvic qualities are
delight, happiness, peace, wellness, freedom, love, compassion, equanimity, empathy, friendliness,
focus, self-control, satisfaction, trust, fulfillment, calmness, bliss, cheerfulness, gratitude,
fearlessness, selflessness.
Passion, desire & attachment Light, harmony & balance Darkness, delusion & ignorance
To reduce rajas avoid rajasic foods, over-exercising, overwork, loud music, excessive thinking and
consuming excessive material goods. Rajasic foods include fried foods, spicy foods, and stimulants.
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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.
All gunas create attachment and thus bind one’s self to the ego. “When one rises above the three
gunas that originate in the body; one is freed from birth, old age, disease, and death; and attains
enlightenment” (Bhagavad Gita 14.20). While the yogi’s goal is to cultivate sattva, his or her ultimate
goal is to transcend their misidentification of the self with the gunas and to be unattached to both
the good and the bad, the positive and negative qualities of all life.