Trigunas: Sattva, Rajas, Tamas – Part 1

Every time i meditate the feeling of being in this physical body and being able to experience the nature of this universe is a constant reminder that we are indeed blessed to be born with this human body .
The breath or Prana is beyond just being termed as oxygen ,it’s a breath that breathes life into our body which is the biggest miracle of all .The human body is made up of the elements – Air, Water, Space , Fire and Earth and these cannot unite and create anything unless they combine with the 3 main constituents called Gunas which finally determine the persona of the human being and all that forms the being- Mind body and Spirit.
The Trigunas Sattva, Rajas and Tamas make up the energy of everything. When looked at through the lens of Yog the Trigunas exist in all of Life. They are 3 characteristics through which matter manifests. It will help to think of the Gunas as your personal constitution or a tendency that makes you behave or respond habitually in a certain way.
All the Gunas are always present in us in varying percentages depending on the situation and how one is dealing with the same. For example if there is a trying situation in your life how you would respond will be dependent on the type of Guna which is more dominant at that time in your energy system.
When you get bogged down by overwhelm and distress it may be that Tamas is more dominant and if you are feeling inspired, empowered and full of life you know it’s the Sattvic element, when there is a tendency to overreact to situations it’s the Rajasic tendency that’s showing up.
Its good for us to be aware of this continuous dance of these Trigunas as they make our persona and as the Bhagvad Gita states to keep these in balance or become a Guna theeta is the key to our existence.

Compiled and Written by Ameeta Menon
Co Founder – Chiranjeev Gurukul