The Changeful Material World of the Gunas
Dr. Hansaji J. Yogendra
Yoga and Total Health, April 2019
The concept of Gunas is worth understanding because many philosophical thoughts arise from it. This entire material world is made up of three Gunas. In other words, the material world has 3 qualities or characteristics: -
The first quality is dullness or Tamas. Tamas is related to darkness. Any diseased state of the body is a Tamasic state. When any emotion overwhelms us, it is a Tamasic state. Sitting idly and worrying is Tamasic. Disinterestedness in work - basically depression - is Tamasic. Asthma is a Tamasic disease. Practically, all diseases come under Tamas.
The second quality is energy, activity or Rajas. Doing the maximum possible in any situation is a Rajasic quality. A Rajasic person does too many things at the same time. There is excessive thinking and actions, no peace and steadiness. The inherent fallout of over-activity is Tamas because of exhaustion.
The third quality is intellect, Viveka. This is a Sattvic state where every action is taken after proper thought and consideration. It is the right action at the right time. Here, too, there is action. But it is calculated action, doing what is necessary and only to the extent required. If more is required, then do more. but after thinking. In other words, it is controlled management of life under an overall guiding philosophy.
Yoga Shastra recommends that we watch the state of our body and mind to gain an understanding of the material world. Most of the time we are in a Tamasic state. Sometimes we are in a Rajasic state. Occasionally we get a spark of intelligence or understanding, which is a result of Sattva. What we have to understand is that we are not the material world and we should not get affected by its changeful nature. We are separate from it; we are pure consciousness. The material world is continuously changing; it is never stationary. So why should we get affected by changeful things? Today somebody may behave rudely with us, but tomorrow that person may behave nicely with us. Why be unhappy? People worry nowadays that the market is bad and business will shut down. But things could change tomorrow. So why worry? We should keep up the efforts from our side and maintain a balanced state no matter what the circumstances are. We should not be down in the doldrums when life is not smooth, nor should we celebrate excessively when the going is smooth, knowing well that "this too shall pass". Pain and happiness are just a game of the material world, two sides of the same coin.
We identify too much with our circumstances. For instance, Ramayana is played on stage. When Ravana abducts Sita, a person from the audience jumps up and attacks Ravana in order to rescue Sita. He forgets that this is just a play and he should peacefully sit and watch it. But he cannot do that. Similarly, we become unhappy when faced with problems in life. We start worrying. We don't realize that we have to just observe. We should use our life to increase understanding of the material world and the Gunas and try to achieve a Sattvic state. If we don't, then we shall continue getting disturbed. Coming out of the material framework and going beyond it is the key. We have to separate ourselves from our life and become good spectators. Yoga can help us in that. Can we give it a try?