Working with What’s in Front of You
My apologies for the unannounced hiatus from this blog. When I published my last post in September 2011, I intended to take the rest of the year off to complete a project, resuming with new posts in January.
That’s the thing with momentum and inertia. Maintaining a weekly workout routine is one thing; getting started and developing that routine is a different matter. An object in motion tends to stay in motion; an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Thank you, Sir Isaac Newton. You are correct, but the Hindus have known this for thousands of years.
In Hindu philosophy there are three gunas or qualities of consciousness. Tamas represents inertia, darkness, or sloth. Rajas is activity, action or change. Sattva is the principle of purity or goodness.
In tamas, we tend to get stuck, lethargic, listless, and lazy. In rajas, we thrive on activity, motion, and busyness. And in a sattvic state, we are filled with freshness and positivity; are minds are steady and calm.
There’s good reason that we project a value judgment or ranking on these three qualities. In fact, they are generally represented in a hierarchy as in the Bhagavad-Gita. Purity seems to trump activity; activity trumps inertia. But all three gunas are part of life. All three qualities serve a vital function. We aren’t any one quality; in a manner of speaking, we possess all three.
And yet, it seems apparent that we have a tendency to identify with a single quality. Highly active people pride themselves on their rajasic efforts. Tamasic people do as little as possible—the iconic couch potatoes. And sattvic folks, too, can develop a pride in respect to their tranquil ways. Every quality of consciousness has its shadow, its opposite.
Integrating the Three Qualities of Consciousness
Integration requires us to transcend and include. Moving beyond the state of inertia, we include tamas. Transcending rajas to enter a sattvic state, we include rajas.
If we think that one quality of consciousness is better than another—that we should always be active instead of inert, for instance—then we have dissociated from a part of ourselves, for surely all three basic qualities are part of us. Each quality is necessary and vital in its own way.
At times, we desire to be active but we find ourselves in a state of inertia. Our conscious minds want us to push through the inertia to build momentum and energy. But sometimes the state of inertia is exactly where we’re supposed to be.
This tamasic or inert state is associated with darkness, and darkness is associated with the unconscious. The unconscious includes all that exists outside of our conscious awareness (as such, some call the unconscious “God”).
It has been said that the source of our creativity lies in the unconscious, which is why illumination often comes after a period of reverie or mindless wandering. When we’re in a state of constant motion, as most of us in modern life inherently are, it’s difficult to tap into the wellspring of the unconscious. During periods of rest—as in sleep—dreams allow our minds to access this non-rational realm.
There are times when we must push through inertia and times when it’s best to simply ride it out. Knowing how to proceed requires us to learn to stop, to be still, to pay attention, and to listen. Amidst endless distraction and constant busyness we miss the subtle signs the unconscious gives us on how best to proceed.
No related posts.
Soil that has rested welcomes the seed. (tamas) A seed that is nurtured (rajas) blossoms into fruit. The harvest is realized, celebrated and shared (sattva)
Scott, welcoming your wisdom as your cycle continues.
Blessings
Thank you Scott, for your continued inspiration and help in my goal setting. I have finally accomplished my book and am very proud to be able to Google and see an actual 'completed project'.
Blessings to you and yours.
Scott, it is great to have you back online and with such an eye-opening commentary on the attributes that govern perception, for beyond Sattva is Turiya and it may interest some to read this quote below Blessings!
"This 'fourth state' of consciousness was described by Ramana Maharishi by its Sanskrit term, TURIYA. From this condition, all appears equal by virtue of the reality that meaning and existence are one and the same thing, that is, what things mean is fulfilled by what they ARE, and what they are is exactly the fulfillment of what they mean. Their existence is their meaning." (Dr. David R. Hawkins, MD, PhD, Discovery of the Presence of God, p. 245)
May also be interested in watching Swami Brahmananda of Chinmaya Mission, chanting Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit, with English translation onscreen, of Chapter 14: The Three Modes of Material Nature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn3Hro5Ib4U
May also be interested in watching Swami Brahmananda of Chinmaya Mission, chanting Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit, with English translation onscreen, of Chapter 14: The Three Modes of Material Nature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn3Hro5Ib4U
Hi Scott
First off let me say I'm glad your back sending these oh so helpful pieces. I had wondered off and on what happened and why I was no longer reicieving them.. so I apprieciate your explanation ….it provided closer to the mind. And although we seek to ultimatley transcend the mind , we spiritual asparents become confused at times as to whats approiate in the linear world. and so I for one seek articals like yours as a guidline of sorts . Thank you for your efforts I really wanted you to have some feedback …are you full yet?….laughs…thanks again..take care friend.
Hey, Scott! I was pleasantly surprised to see this post today! I always look forward to your insights, and wasn't sure when you were going to start posting again.
Only now can I appreciate the value of all three ways of being. My natural tendency is towards Rajas, with occasional Sattva, and I used to despise Tamas. After many years of psycho-spiritual work (and too many instances of burnout), I now revel in my "tamassic" moments of lying in bed resting, or taking a day to stay home and do nothing. Or just hanging out with friends. I also allow "Sattvic" time first thing in the morning on a daily basis. Love it.
I'm doing my best to "transcend and include" in every area of my life. And you, Scott, have been a profound influence in helping to change my thinking.
Thank you very much.
Andrew
Thank you all for your kind words. I think I need to update this comment form so we can creates threads of discussions.
For now, a few quick comments:
Charles, you have the mind of a poet. Thank you.
Dell, congratulations on the completion of your book project! I know how rewarding that can feel.
Arvind, I believe your are mistaken with your reference to turiya in the context of this post. In Advaita, in the Upanishads (Mandukya, specifically), and in Sri Ramana's teachings, turiya or the fourth state is in reference to waking, dreaming, and deep sleep — or the gross, subtle, and causal domain. The idea is that beyond these three states of consciousness (which are all valid and real in themselves), there is a fourth state that transcends and includes the prior three — that is, the nondual. These three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, and deep sleep) are not to be confused with the three gunas or qualities of consciousness.
Doyle, thank you for your comments. It is always helpful for us to keep in mind that "transcending the mind" still requires us to include or integrate the mind. In many spiritual teachings this is not clearly explained so that there is a tendency to want to dissociate from the mind in an effort to transcend it. And when we fall into this trap we have a tendency to undervalue the reality of this "linear" existence which is no less valid that the reality that transcends it.
And well said, Andrew. I too have found relief and release in the acceptance of all three qualities of consciousness. Thank you, my friend for your thoughtful words.