As well as having the three doshas which form our individual constitution, which governs the mind and body, there are also gunas; rajas, tamas and sattva which govern our mode of existence.
Ayurveda is a complete medical system, which observes not just the physical, but also the mental wellbeing of a person. As well as having the three doshas which form our individual constitution, which governs the mind and body, there are also gunas; rajas, tamas and sattva which govern our mode of existence.
The gunas are part of Hindu philosophy and are mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita. Although most Sanskrit words are not easily translated to English, during my study in Ayurvedic medicine we equated the word guna with ‘qualities’. It is also understood to mean different things, depending on context.
As with the doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the gunas Rajas, Tamas and Sattva are all present, just in different quantities.
The attributes of all gunas reside in all of us, however one will dominate. As humans, Rajas is present in our desire for material possessions, our activity in the world and is necessary to get things done. Tamas is when inactivity and despair take hold. Sattva is the ultimate state, however it is not a practicality for most humans. Although we can increase these qualities within ourselves.
Just like doshas, gunas are influenced by our thoughts, actions and what food we consume. These 'qualities' are found in all things and may either increase or decrease the vibration of a person, according to their qualities.
Next blog I look forward to expanding more on this topic of ways to increase sattvic qualities within ourselves!
Namaste,
Rebecca