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Trigunas
Three Mental
Qualities: Sattwa, Rajasa,
Tamasa
The three gunas - sattwa, rajasa, and Tamasa - are found
in nature and in the mind, paralleling the three doshas
of the body. Sattwa, or purity, is the ideal state of
mind because a person with this quality is calm, alert,
kind, and thoughtful. A person whose mind is
predominantly rajasic (too active) always seeks
diversions (incessant activity). The tamasa-predominant
mind is a dull, lethargic mind.
Just as combinations of Vayu, Pitta and
Kapha exist for the body, the mind has combinations of
sattwa, , and tamasa. Individuals whose minds are
sattwic and rajasic are those who enthusiastically study
spiritual and holistic measures to improve themselves.
Rajasic-tamasic minded people will actively work and
exercise to overcome their lethargy.
The proper balance of the mind and the
development of purity and peace help in the development
of a sattwic mind. This is the first stage of samadhi or
spiritual realization.
To decide the cause of illness, the practitioner
observes, questions and takes the pulse of the patient.
Learning its cause, or seeing it in its incubatory,
beginning, developmental, or advanced stages can help in
the understanding of illness.
Vayu
When Vayu dosha persons are balanced,
they are cheerful, creative, and adaptable.
When Vayu doshas are imbalanced,
they are worried, nervous, fearful, and giddy.
The mental constitution of Vayu
individuals tends towards fear, anxiety and insecurity.
They can be easily deceived with threats or promises.
They do not have much courage, are of a solitary nature,
and possess few intimate friends (although they form
friends with those in other social circles). Vayu people
do not make good leaders or followers and are not
materialistic as they spend what they earn freely.
Sattwic influence creates
comprehension, the need for unity and healing, and
creates a positive mental outlook.
Rajasic influence creates indecisiveness,
unreliability, hyperactivity, and anxiety.
Tamasic influence creates fear, a servile attitude,
dishonesty, depression, self-destructiveness, addictive
behaviour, sexual perversions, animal instincts or
suicidal thoughts.
Pitta
When Pitta dosha individuals are healthy
or balanced,
they are goal-oriented, powerful, warm, athletic.
When Pitta doshas are imbalanced,
they are burnt out, angry, impatient, irritable,
critical.
Individuals of Pitta constitution possess fiery emotions
like irritability, anger and hate. Mentally, they have
the ability of penetration; yet can be aggressive and
are seldom sentimental. They are determined, articulate,
convincing and yet may try to dominate others with their
will and ideas. They are self-righteous and may become
fanatical. Pitta people are good leaders, ambitious and
work hard to achieve great goals. They help their
families and friends but are cruel and unforgiving to
enemies. Also, they are bold, adventurous, daring and
enjoy challenges. Although they have much clarity, they
lack compassion.
Sattwic influence creates clarity, intelligence,
leadership, warmth and independence.
Rajasic influence creates willfulness, ambition,
anger, manipulation, vanity, impulsiveness and
aggressiveness.
Tamasic influence creates vindictiveness, violence,
hate, criminality and psychopathic behavior.
Kapha
When Kapha dosha persons are healthy,
they love to cook for others, are strong, and loyal.
Imbalanced Kapha doshas become lethargic,
hoarding, overly materialistic.
These are the emotional ones; full of
love, desire, romance and sentiments. However, they also
harbour the negative emotions of lust and greed. Kapha
doshas find it hard to adapt to new situations, yet are
very loyal. They have many friends and are close to
their families, communities, religions and countries.
They are more comfortable with practical knowledge than
with abstract ideas.
Sattwic influence creates calmness, peace, love,
compassion, faith, nurturing, and forgiveness.
Rajasic influence creates greed for money,
material luxuries, and comfort. They are sentimental,
controlling, attached and lustful.
Tamasic influences create dullness, lethargy,
depression, lack of care and a tendency to steal.
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