The Bhagavad Gita tells us that humans, as well as all other things in Nature, have a mixture of Sattwa, and its companions, Rajas and Tamas. These three Maha Gunas (qualities) determine our behavior, actions, thoughts and emotions.

Sattwa is clarity, light, purity and wakefulness. It is stability, essence, compassion and love. Sattwa is required for our mental and physical health, and is the path to personal evolution and spiritual maturity.

Sattwa and Sattvic activities are pure, illuminating, free from illness and impurities. They awaken us with knowledge and happiness. (14.6) People with a Sattvic temperament have clean, healthy bodies, their behavior is pure in intention and their conscious is clear. They tend to be spiritual people and believe in the existence of a higher awareness.

Rajas is a roller coaster of passion and is born of desire - Rajas keeps us in action. (14.7)Primarily Rajasic people are focused on business, wealth, prosperity, power / control, spreading their name or position. They can be extroverted and showy, or intensely focused on achievement, outcome and expectation. While they may have a belief in God, their opinion can change easily. They can be very political or opinionated.

Tamas is evident in the darkness and animal instincts of human nature. It is ignorance (ignoring Truth), and the cause of delusion, or the veil that blinds us from higher knowing. It binds us with indolence, carelessness, sleep and inertia. (14.8) Tamasic people can be destructive, slothful, selfish and dark. They have little respect for themselves and others and tend to be a-religious and non-spiritual. Their thoughts and activities are focused around themselves.

~Our goal in life is to move from Tamas, through Rajas and ultimately into Sattwa. How are you spending your time?

Proactively evolve, or be at the mercy of external circumstances:

What we eat affects our Mind. Our Mind is the instrument that affects our thoughts, which affect our actions, emotions and attitude. Caring for your mind with Sattvic foods moves you in a Sattvic direction! This can be done with most fresh fruits and vegetables. Try seasonal mango, pomegranate, peaches and pears, figs, coconut, and dates. Consider sweet potato, yellow squash, asparagus, and leafy greens. Add basmati rice, quinoa, blue corn and barley. Favor mung beans, dal, red & yellow lentils. Sattvic spices include saffron, turmeric, cardamom, coriander, cumin and fennel.

Rajasic foods are salty, sour, spicy, artificial, beans, crunchy nuts, popcorn, or otherwise activating. Tamasic foods are heavy, dull, left-overs, meats, caffeine and alcohol.

What you do affects our Mind. Sattvic practices include meditation, chanting mantra, walks in Nature, silence, Yoga Nidra, spending time in the company of wise people. Reducing the amount of ‘sensory input’ in all forms is an important step to uncoupling ourselves from the grip of Rajas, making Sattwa more attainable and sustainable, allowing you to experience more love, compassion, forgiveness, and provide you with the state of mind that evolves your personality and supports / transcends your meditation practice.

Modify the Rajas you experience each day by reducing Rajasic foods, large crowds, being too talkative, competition, too much working, watching or playing. Our society and the world we live in is 90% Rajasic, which means we actively need to seek balance to remove ourselves from this continuous state of go go go!

Replace Tamasic activities with Rajasic ones in order to find the pep you need to progress to the Sattvic stage. Instead of pubs, visit friends who are pleasant and happy. Instead of a horror movie, choose an action flick or comedy, reduce time in front of the TV and other activities which keep you glued to the couch or screen. Do more Yoga – try a few gentle Sun or Moon Salutes every day to set your momentum.

If your goal is to progress in life to stability and contentment, it’s important to understand these three primal attributes in ourselves and all things. Each day we can take ownership of our choices and ascend the ladder of growth, contentment and enlightenment.

For the benefit of everyone alive today and all the generations to come – it’s time for the Evolution Revolution.

Following an Ayurvedic diet according to your Dosha and current imbalance is recommended to prevent disease and improve the quality of body, mind and spirit. For a specific diet & lifestyle guidelines, contact me!