Doshas of the mind: The maha gunas
Sep 16, 2024
We have discussed the 3 primary doshas - vata, pitta & kapha. However, we may or may not have discussed an even more abstract concept and that is the doshas of the mind. We all have all 3 within us, just like the primary doshas and we are susceptible to them going out of balance from our environment, food, experiences and overall state of consciousness. All 3 have their place in our lives. Let's break it down.
Sattva: This is our natural, innate wisdom state. Here we may feel emotionally stable, able to concentrate, happy sleeps well, craves healthy foods. There is a clarity, lightness & compassion here.
Rajas: This is the subtle aspect of pitta. Rajastic people tend to be workaholics, have trouble sleeping, a racing mind, are fidgety, constantly seeking change, irritable and are mentally and physically taxing themselves. Rajas is responsible for passion, the ability to act, movement & kinetic energy.
Tamas: Can be thought of as the subtle aspect of Kapha. Tamas is heavy, dark, & slow. This is necessary for the ability to sleep, for example. However, too much tamas can cause brain fog, feeling of depression, lack of appetite, too much sleepiness, procrastination, resistance to change, poor food choices and overall being inactive.
Our goal is to become as sattvic as possible. Things you can do to increase your sattva energy while decreasing your rajas and tamas if they're out of balance is:
- Wearing white or light colors
- Eat food that is fresh, organic,ripe, cooked with love and eaten in the proper way.
- Get enough sleep
- Meditation is wonderful as well as pranayama & yoga
- Do no harm: to self or others. Live a life with compassion.
