How the 3 GUNAS Influence Your Mind - Sattva, Rajas, Tamas Explained!

Summary

This script delves into the concept of 'gunas' from Sanatan Dharm, explaining the three qualities—sattva, rajas, and tamas—that govern human emotions and behaviors. It highlights how these gunas can lead to mood swings and the importance of awareness to transcend them. The ultimate goal is to achieve a state of enlightenment by maintaining a steady intellect, unaffected by these qualities. Practices like pranayama and mantra chanting are suggested to help individuals move towards sattva and enlightenment.

Takeaways

• 🧘 The human mind is often entangled in emotions, leading to mood swings which are attributed to the influence of the three gunas.
• 📚 Ancient Indian scriptures like the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Tantra Shastras provide insights into the workings of the mind and the concept of gunas.
• 🌀 The three gunas are Sattva (harmony), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia), which constantly operate within us, influencing our behavior and consciousness.
• 🔄 Gunas are not material but psychological qualities that bind us to duality, and understanding them is key to transcending this duality.
• 🤔 The mind's state of being is a result of the dominance of one or more gunas, affecting our happiness, energy, and motivation.
• 🌟 Sattva represents a harmonious state of happiness and readiness to face challenges, while Rajas is characterized by constant movement and ego-driven activity.
• 😴 Tamas is associated with lethargy and a desire to retreat from action, indicating a low energy state.
• 💡 Awareness is crucial in recognizing the influence of the gunas and striving to remain in a state of Sattva, which is the ideal state of mind.
• 🧘‍♂️ The ultimate goal is to transcend the three gunas, achieving a state of enlightenment where one is unaffected by their influence.
• 📖 The Bhagavad Gita suggests that a person with a steady intellect is enlightened, being beyond the fluctuations of the gunas.
• 🌱 Practices like pranayama (breath control) and mantra chanting are recommended to help individuals move towards a state of Sattva and enlightenment.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'gunas' in the context of the provided transcript?

In the context of the transcript, 'gunas' refer to the three qualities or attributes of the mind that influence human behavior and emotions according to ancient Indian philosophy. These gunas are Satva, Rajas, and Tamas, which represent harmony, activity, and inertia respectively.

How do the gunas affect our daily life experiences?

The gunas affect our daily life experiences by influencing our moods and actions. When Satva is dominant, we feel happy and receptive. Rajas leads to activity and constant movement, often associated with hyperactivity. Tamas causes lethargy and laziness, making us unmotivated to act.

What does the term 'monkey mind' refer to in the script?

The term 'monkey mind' in the script refers to the restless and unpredictable nature of the human mind, which is often entangled in emotions and mood swings, similar to the erratic behavior of a monkey.

How can one understand their true behavior according to the script?

To understand one's true behavior, the script suggests working on the gunas and becoming aware of the dominant guna at any given moment, which influences our actions and reactions.

What is the significance of being aware of the gunas in our lives?

Being aware of the gunas is significant as it helps us recognize the influence they have on our behavior and emotions. This awareness can lead to better control over our reactions and a more balanced state of mind.

What is the state of enlightenment according to the script?

According to the script, the state of enlightenment is a state where one goes beyond the influence of the three gunas. It is a state of being where an individual is unaffected by the dualities of life and is attached to nothing, embodying pure consciousness.

How does the script define Satva in the context of modern science?

In the script, Satva is defined in the context of modern science as harmony, a state of mind where one is happy, receptive, and ready to face challenges.

What is the role of Rajas in the script's explanation of human behavior?

Rajas, as explained in the script, is associated with activity, constant movement, and heightened ego. It is the guna that influences hyperactivity and a restless state of mind.

How does the script describe the state of Tamas?

The script describes Tamas as a state of complete lethargy and laziness, where one does not want to do anything and has taken a step back from action.

What practices does the script recommend to overcome the influence of the gunas?

The script recommends practices such as pranayama (breath control) and mantra chanting as ways to help overcome the influence of the gunas and move towards a state of Satva.

What is the ultimate goal of practicing Sadhana according to the script?

The ultimate goal of practicing Sadhana, as per the script, is to achieve a steady intellect and become an enlightened being, unaffected by the fluctuations of the three gunas.

Outlines

00:00

🧘 Understanding the Influence of the Three Gunas

This paragraph delves into the concept of the 'three gunas' from the perspective of Sanatan Dharmic texts, explaining how they influence our emotions and behavior. The three gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—are described as psychological qualities that govern our actions and reactions. Sattva represents harmony and happiness, rajas is associated with activity and ego, and tamas with lethargy and laziness. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding these gunas to control the 'monkey mind' and suggests that through awareness and practice, one can transcend these influences to achieve a state of enlightenment.

05:02

🚀 Moving Beyond the Three Gunas for Enlightenment

The second paragraph continues the discussion on the three gunas, focusing on the possibility of transcending their influence to reach a state of steady intellect and enlightenment. It mentions that a person unaffected by the gunas is in a state of liberation. The paragraph suggests practices such as pranayama and mantra chanting to help individuals move towards sattva and eventually beyond the gunas. It concludes by highlighting that an enlightened being is not attached to any of the gunas, embodying the ultimate state of consciousness—sat chit ananda.

Keywords

💡Gunas

In the context of the video, Gunas are described as the three psychological attributes or qualities that influence human behavior and mind. They are Satwa (harmony), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (lethargy). The video emphasizes that these qualities bind us into different states of consciousness, creating fluctuations in mood and behavior. The script explains that by understanding and managing the Gunas, one can rise above them to achieve enlightenment.

💡Satwa

Satwa refers to a state of harmony and balance in the mind, where a person feels happy, peaceful, and receptive. It is one of the three Gunas, and the video explains that when Satwa is dominant, a person is ready to face the world with clarity and calmness. However, even Satwa is a form of attachment (to happiness), and enlightenment is reached by going beyond all Gunas.

💡Rajas

Rajas is the Guna associated with activity, energy, and movement. In the video, Rajas is described as a state where the ego becomes dominant, leading to constant physical or mental activity. This Guna drives people to action, but it also causes restlessness and anxiety. The video points out that when Rajas is dominant, people may experience hyperactivity or excessive mental agitation.

💡Tamas

Tamas is the Guna representing inertia, lethargy, and laziness. It is characterized by a withdrawal from action and a lack of motivation. The video explains that when Tamas dominates, individuals feel sluggish, disconnected, and passive. Like the other Gunas, Tamas binds the mind and must be balanced with awareness and practice.

💡Mind

The video presents the mind as a complex entity constantly manipulated by the Gunas. It explains that the mind can fluctuate between happiness, sadness, energy, and lethargy, depending on which Guna is dominant. The mind's tendency to react to external circumstances creates the duality of emotions, but through awareness and spiritual practice, one can learn to control the mind and go beyond its fluctuations.

💡Duality

Duality in the video refers to the conflicting states of mind influenced by the Gunas. For example, happiness versus sadness, activity versus lethargy, and energy versus calmness are dualistic states created by the interplay of the Gunas. The video's message emphasizes the need to transcend this duality to attain higher spiritual understanding and enlightenment.

💡Enlightenment

Enlightenment is described as the state of going beyond the Gunas and their influence on the mind. It is a state of steady intellect and detachment from the fluctuations of the Gunas. The video suggests that through spiritual practices such as Sadhana, one can achieve enlightenment, characterized by being unaffected by the constant changes in mood, emotion, and behavior induced by the Gunas.

💡Sadhana

Sadhana refers to the spiritual practices that help an individual cultivate awareness and control over the mind. The video stresses the importance of Sadhana in moving beyond the Gunas and achieving a state of Satwa or even higher spiritual states. Practices like pranayama (breathing exercises) and mantra chanting are recommended as tools to balance the mind and overcome attachment to the Gunas.

💡Awareness

Awareness is a crucial concept in the video, representing the ability to recognize the influence of the Gunas on one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The video advocates for cultivating awareness to overcome the dominance of Rajas and Tamas and remain in a state of Satwa. Ultimately, awareness leads to transcending the Gunas entirely and achieving a steady state of mind.

💡Pranayama

Pranayama is a recommended spiritual practice in the video, specifically mentioned as a way to regulate the mind and bring it into balance. It is a breathing technique that helps manage the fluctuations of the Gunas and fosters a state of calm and harmony (Satwa). Pranayama, along with mantra chanting, is suggested as a way to shift one's mental state towards enlightenment.

Highlights

The human mind is often manipulated by emotions, leading to mood swings.

Ancient rishis provided insights into the workings of the 'monkey mind' and its attributes.

The concept of 'gunas' in Sanatan DH explains the indecisiveness and calmness in individuals.

Gunas are not material but psychological qualities that bind us to duality.

Understanding and working on our gunas can help transcend duality.

The three gunas are Satva, Rajas, and Tamas, and they constantly operate within us.

Satva represents harmony and happiness, a state of readiness to face challenges.

Rajas is associated with activity, ego, and constant movement.

Tamas is characterized by lethargy, laziness, and a tendency to retreat.

The interplay of the three gunas influences our behavior and emotions.

Modern science parallels the concept of gunas with psychological states.

Awareness is key to understanding our true behavior and the influence of gunas.

Sadhana is essential for becoming aware and moving towards a state of Satva.

The Bhagavad Gita and other texts offer guidance on transcending the three gunas.

A person with a steady intellect is considered enlightened, unaffected by gunas.

Pranayama and mantra chanting are recommended practices for moving towards Satva.

Enlightenment is a state of being detached from the attachments of the three gunas.

The ultimate goal is to be 'Sat Chit Ananda' - existence, consciousness, and bliss.

Transcripts

have you ever thought that why do you

get so entangled in your emotions at

times you're very happy at times you're

very hyp and at times you just want to

leave everything let's understand today

how the thonas

[Music]

work you know it's a fact that we are

constantly being manipulated by who by

our mind we are victim of our minds and

I'm sure that everyone has gone through

it at times you are very happy at times

you are very sad at times you feel very

energetic and at times you are very very

laric in modern terms we call it mood

swings we call it mood pangs but in

reality this is the work of Gaz

thousands of years ago of rishis have

given us detailed understanding of how

the monkey mind works and what are the

attributes of the mind that makes us so

indecisive yet so calm and yet so lataji

at times let's understand in sanatan DH

what text are effer what are the three

gas and how to control this monkey mind

the rishis in the v upanishad bhagwat

Gita Tantra shastras all have made it

very clear that if we have taken a human

body we have the mind and constantly the

mind has been operated by the three

gunas now gunas if you take sankya Kara

it is known as qualities few text also

call it quantity but these gas are not

Material in nature they work at a

psychological level and they bind us

into duality

in order to go beyond Duality we have to

work on our gas and try to understand

what is our true Behavior at the moment

we are constantly dominated by the

thonas and we start blaming Mother

Nature our parents our family our

neighbors but in reality the problem is

within you and that is the mind so let's

understand what are the trionas if you

take the bhagat Gita if you start

reading Tantra even if you take vanta

the three gas will come up it is the

platform to understand the text in

sanatan DH the three gunas are satwa

Raja and Tama and in every individual or

even an object whatever material that we

see is binded together by the properties

of three

gas in reality all the three gas are

constantly working on you and that is

the reason you operative in this reality

at times one Goa is high at times other

Goa is high but

we as humans have this great possibility

that we can go beyond the trionas and

that is a state of Enlightenment and

knowledge let's start by understanding

what satwa is according to modern

science satwa means Harmony it is a

state of mind where you are in harmony

you are happy you are receptive you are

ready to face the world and you ready to

take challenges that is

satwa at the same time they have also

mentioned rajas rajas is something where

you are in activity when the ego is

going high there is constant movement at

times have you seen people they

constantly move their leg they are in

rajas at the same time when you're

sitting steady but the mind is

constantly running you are in rajas and

the third Guna is tamas where you're

completely lethargic and lazy you don't

want to do anything and you have taken a

step back so all these three gunas are

working together and that is what we'll

understand now let's start by

understanding and taking an example of

you at times you're very very happy so

what is happening satwa is dominant but

rajas and tamas is working at the same

time at the same time when things don't

go your way the rajas goes up and sat

and tamas is down you become hyperactive

and you get a lot of thoughts and in the

evening when you are very very tired at

the end of the day the tamas will go up

and satwa and rajas will be down if you

have realized we are constantly being

victim of the trionas and we become

unaware at the end of the day sadna is

very important to make us aware because

our goal is to be in satwa and yes again

satwa stands for harmony Raja stands for

kenesis that is kinetic energy which is

constant movement and tamama stands for

energy and now modern scien is talking

about it that how a particle is

constantly changing and that is rajas at

the same time they work at a

psychological level even if my eyes are

closed but my mind is running I am in

rajas even now when I'm talking to you

but I'm half asleep inside I'm going in

tamas what is awareness awareness for

beginners like us is to be aware that we

have to be in satwa and be ready to work

and move ahead in life how to overcome

this state and how to be in satwa in

fact our text and rishis have given a

Step Beyond satwa Raja and Tama the

bhita say is a man with a steady

intellect is an enlightened being that

means a person who's unaffected by the

three gunas because the three gunas it's

constantly keeping us binded to the

three states of Consciousness but we as

human beings have given this opportunity

to go beyond the trionas and that is a

state of a prna I repeat again a man

with a steady intellect in Tantra when

this threea unites with shiv that is a

space where you have become one with sh

Consciousness so these three gunas are

constantly binding us and what will help

us to overcome is by doing sadana by

learning how to respond and not react at

the same time being aware all the time

that whenever you and Ras and tamas push

yourself into satwa Maharishi patanjali

has given a very beautiful solution the

ashang yog one must follow that and that

is a state where you slowly move into

satwa if you can't understand what what

is happening personally I would

recommend do pranayam and Mantra

chanting every day and you will realize

there's a slight and drastic change with

time how you move on the path and you

come into satwa in fact to end this

video even satwa is bondage because

satwa is attachment to happiness rajas

is attachment to action and tamas is

attachment to eneria and enlightened

being is attached to nothing because he

is sat chit an har omat