Ayurveda - The Beginners Guide

Just like the three physical doshas the Mind has three qualities or Gunas:

• Sattva (Harmony, knowledge, purity)
• Rajas (Agitaiton, Action, Passion)
• Tamas (Ignorance, Inertia, Confusion)

Self awareness is important to know which Guna or trait we are manifesting. If we are not selfaware, our actions will display these traits and also impact our physical balance. For example what diet are we choosing, our level of concentration, our memory, our creativity, our disposition, self-discipline, honesty, they way we speak or address others and the way we take care of ourselves.

A rajasic person's goal is life is power, wealth, fame. They are easily bored, dominent, driven with ambition and always looking for instant gratification.

A tamasic person, is lazy (couch potato) and not motivated. They are prone to addiction and lack willpower and discipline. They over indulge in sleeping and drinking and eating. They are often unhappy and seem a bit lost in life.

A Sattvic person is intelligent, compassionate, generous, wise, tolerant and kind to oneself, others and one's environment. 

We all show all these gunas in ourselves. The goal of Ayruveda is to keep us in the "Sattvic" State.

 

Dominance of the "Sattva" is the goal of Ayurveda. A Sattvic mind is intelligent, compassionate, generous, wise, tolerant and kind to oneself, others and one's environment. Its understand the connection between us and all and therfore works to harmonize the outside and inside.  A Sattvic mind has mental clarity, humility, enthusiasm and joy.

The following lifestyle choices can help us achieve the "Sattvic Guna"

• Fresh water
• Clean air
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Nuts and seeds
• Calming activities such as meditation, reading, good music
• Spending time in nature
• Maintaining a clean environment
• Spending time helping others