How can we influence three Gunas? Satvik, Rajasic, and Tamasic! Bhagwat Gita!

In this practice

Key teachings

• Understanding the three Gunas: Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), Tamas (darkness)
• The distinction between Prakriti (illusion) and Purusha (reality) in yogic philosophy
• How diet and lifestyle choices influence the balance of Gunas in mind and body
• Principles for increasing Sattvic qualities through food and actions

Ideal for

• Individuals interested in yogic philosophy and ancient wisdom like Bhagavad Gita
• Those seeking to understand the Gunas and their practical application in daily life
• People exploring holistic health, mindful eating, and lifestyle improvements
• Anyone aiming for mental balance, spiritual growth, and increased self-awareness

Lesson

Instructions

According to the yogic philosophy, the whole universe can be divided into 2 main categories: Prakriti (Maya or Illusion) and Purusha (Reality). Purusha is the only reality and Prakriti, the illusionary world, consists of three Gunas (qualities). The three Gunas are Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (darkness, destruction). So, let's have a look at how can we influence the three Gunas? Sattva – The Guna of Purity and Harmony

Sattva manifests itself as purity, knowledge, and harmony. It is the quality of goodness, joy, satisfaction, and free of fear, violence. Sattvic quality is pure and forgiving. It is the guna that people want to increase in order to reach the highest state. Increasing sattva is possible by reducing rajas and tamas, both in your mind and in your body. By practicing yoga and living a non-violent lifestyle, surrounding yourself by positive people and performing activities that bring you and others the joy you increase the sattvic elements in your mind and body. But the most important is by eating sattvic food such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes. sattvic foods are fresh and pure and grow above the ground, receiving their positive energy from the sunlight.  Satvik yoga food is considered as positive food.  Essential for superior moral and intellectual discipline and controlled spiritual inclination.  They are alkaline and live foods.  They are energy-providing foods. Vegetables, fruits, boiled vegetables, salads, sprouts, nuts, honey, coconut and many more.

Rajas – The Guna of Passion and Manipulation Rajas represent itself by passion, action, energy, and motion. Rajas is characterized by a feeling of attachment, a longing for satisfaction and desire. He performs an action with great effort to gratify his desire as well as satisfy his ego. Rajsik derives happiness through his senses which come into contact with the objects which appear like nectar in the beginning but poison at the end. If you want to decrease the level of rajas, avoid consuming rajasic foods like fried and spicy food. Rajasik foods are poor in minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. They are deficient in fiber, roughage, and cellulose. Some of the important properties of Rajasic food are:  They lack minerals and because of bitter, pungent, spicy and acidic in nature, they lead to acidity and hyperacidity.  They are responsible for lifestyle related disorders such as obesity, arthritis, diabetes, etc. Spicy food, alcohol, egg, meat, fish, stale and fermented food.

Tamas Tamas manifests itself as impurity, laziness, and darkness. It is the consequence of ignorance and it prevents all beings from seeing reality. In order to decrease the tamasic elements in your mind and body, avoid eating tamasic foods (eg. alcohol, meat, processed food), indulging (eg. overeating, oversleeping, etc). Tamasik understanding remains limited to the self. Such a person acts without thought, without consideration of its effect on the ability to work and without foresight. He is lazy, uncultured, arrogant and deceitful. Tamasik foods are poor in cellulose, roughage, water, vitamins, and minerals.  They are poor in minerals.  Stale, fermented, pungent and constipating.  They are acidic in nature.  Due to high proteins, high fats, they provoke desire, selfishness, indiscipline and uncontrolled behavior as well as mood swings.  They are responsible for many diseases. Excess protein, flesh, egg, Spicy, and fried food, alcohol and chilies are tamasic foods. Gita suggests pure sattvic food needs to be chewed carefully and eaten in modest portions. Do not overeat sattvic foods as they become tamasic and lead to diseases in the body. Also, do not overcook or over-spiced sattvic foods as they then turn into rajasic foods and lead to bodily restlessness.

Thank You

Steps

• Sattvic dietary guidelines (fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, mindful eating)
• Identifying and reducing Rajasic foods (fried, spicy) and Tamasic foods (processed, stale, excessive protein)
• Adopting a non-violent lifestyle and positive environment to cultivate Sattva
• Self-awareness in understanding the impact of actions and consumption on Gunas

Benefits

• Enhances purity, harmony, and joy (Sattva)
• Promotes superior moral and intellectual discipline and spiritual inclination
• Improves physical health and reduces lifestyle-related disorders
• Cultivates a balanced mind, reducing attachment, desire, and ignorance
• Increases overall well-being and mental clarity