What Are the 3 Gunas? Unleash the Power Within!

Take this quiz Which Guna Rules Your Mental State? to see what is your defining guna right now.

The 3 Gunas Energy Experiments

What are the 3 Gunas? They can be felt in our daily activity. Let's explore each one and then try these energy assessments and see if you can determine your energetic needs.

Tamas

Tamas exhibits as a dull mind, obscures awareness, and veils power. An excess of Tamas may make you feel apathetic, lazy, sluggish, foggy, heaviness, and prone to depression. You might have fear or avoidance of issues which will hinder self-inquiry or meditation. Feeling Tamas allows for sleep and rest (not a bad thing at all!)

Sit on your couch and mindlessly watch TV.  Notice how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally after spending time being lazy.  Grab your journal and pen and make a list of three areas of your life in which you tend to procrastinate.  Reflect on how you feel daily when you take no action.  Now reflect on how you will feel if you decide to take action and accomplish your tasks.

Rajas

Rajas is an energetic mind which can distort awareness and projects power. You may find yourself busy, passionate, aggressive, frustrated, excited, and prone to anxiety. This can create anxiety and desire in our mind and hinder self-inquiry and meditation. Rajas does allow for motivation (not a bad thing at all!)

Get your yoga mat and come into plank.  Push the floor away and round the upper back.  Exhale and lower into chaturanga. Inhale and straighten the arms for upward facing dog.  Exhale and press the hips high for downward facing dog.  Inhale into plank and repeat this 8 times.  Is your mind agitated- either from physical exhaustion or unfulfilled desires? Just observe.

Sattva

Sattva is a calm, clear mind which reveals awareness and power. You may be easy-going, balanced, peaceful, harmonious, and contented. With sattva, truth and being allows for discernment. Sattva facilitates self-inquiry and meditation.

Get your yoga mat and come into plank.  Press your palms flat and round your back some. This could create the sensation of pushing the floor away from you.  Drop your knees to the floor for support if needed.  Hold the pose for 20 breaths and remember to be poised, serene, and contemplative.

Now that you know what are the 3 gunas, you can start to build the energy for your day!

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