BestYOULife
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Contact
  • What's Possible?
    • Reviews
  • Blog
  • About Yoga
    • Sivananda Yoga
    • Yin Yoga
    • Yoga Resources
  • About Ayurveda
    • Ayurveda, Diet, and Yoga
    • Ayurveda Resources

WEEK FORTY ONE - A DEEPER MEANING

2/29/2016

 
Picture
The week has again been quite busy and filled with great programs, presenters and activity at the ashram in the Bahamas.  I taught twice this week and loved it!  I've also juggled numerous personnel type conflicts, meltdowns and sickness - not my own this time:)  As I write this, everyone on the team is back to pretty good places emotionally and physically - amen!

I also met with KP Khalsa to make adjustments to my prescriptives, as there are only two more months of the yearlong study remaining.  I couldn't believe it had been 2 months since our last meeting, as the time flew by for me.

In thinking about what to share this week, I've been noting more and more that without emotional and physical health, evolving spiritually is quite difficult.

Yet, without the support of the spiritual practices, people's emotional and physical health worsen, and there is often a spiral downward into depressed states.  For me personally, I rarely become depressed but instead the downward spiral results in weakened states and often sickness.  For others here, the spiral is definitely toward depressed and lethargic states.

The yogis refer to three Gunas or states of being, called Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. 
Each of us experience all three states throughout the day, and there is often an internal fight among the Gunas.

Tamas is the lethargic, slow, negative/complaining thoughts and unhealthy activities, state of being.  Rajas is the highly active state, often overactive and sometimes agitated.

The overall goal is to be mostly in Sattva, or the pure, balanced and joyful state. Tamas is necessary for sleep, so we all need a little Tamas.  And, Rajas is what often propels us in our work mode to achieve and be productive, so we need Rajas too.  

Being able to know ourselves and observe when we are in one state or another and finding the balance is the tricky part.

If we are unaware of our state, then we can go days, weeks or longer without moving out of the Tamasic state of being.  Some people live their lives mainly in the Tamasic state, feeling depressed, lethargic, always tired.  

Others, in our fast paced society live mostly in the Rajasic state, rarely sleeping well, and only momentarily feeling states of Sattva due to their heightened pace of being.  I lived a good portion of my life in a very Rajasic state.  It felt normal and comfortable to me.

The yogis compare our minds and states of being to water in a lake.

Stagnant water, with no motion, becomes murky, grayish and cloudy in appearance - Tamasic.  

In order to clear the water, wind is needed to cause waves and increased motion in the lake - too much motion and high waves are the makings of stormy waters - all types of motion are Rajas. 
Rajas is the main antidote to overcoming Tamas.

After all the churning of the sand and debris, it settles to the floor of the lake, and the water becomes clear and calm, with gentle waves - Sattva - or the true nature of the lake.

Prayers and/or chanting, a healthy vegetarian diet, exercise of the body through asana practice, positive thinking, meditation and karma yoga - doing for others - to change our focus away from a depressed state of being and past overabundance of motion, all lead to Sattva and a clearer, calmer picture of our own true nature.

We often say we are seeking deeper meaning in our lives.  Are we really?

There can be no 'deeper meaning' without attaining Sattvic states of being.  It's interesting to ponder.

May we all experience more Sattva in our lives!
Namaste,

Sending You Love from the Bahamas.
Thank you for taking this journey with me! 

If you haven't signed up for the blog post updates, please do.
I also welcome you to leave a comment below or post one on my BestYOU facebook page.
Sharing your thoughts is a gift to all of us!

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Here I am Life!
    I'm living out loud and sending up a flare.

    Join me in creating  the possibility of a happy, healthy and loving world.
       


    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

©2020 BestYOU, Mary Roberts. All rights reserved. All content is the sole property of BestYOU, not to be reproduced without written permission.
Photos used under Creative Commons from emmadiscovery, Phú Thịnh Co, mikecogh, wuestenigel, emily @ go haus go, lisaclarke, emily @ go haus go, anokarina, jasoneppink, mealmakeovermoms, pinboke_planet, JoanDragonfly, theritters, wuestenigel, YourCastlesDecor, quarxdmz, symphony of love, ramesh Iyanswamy, Ryan Dickey, Tax Credits, cursedthing, Five Furlongs, JD Hancock
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Contact
  • What's Possible?
    • Reviews
  • Blog
  • About Yoga
    • Sivananda Yoga
    • Yin Yoga
    • Yoga Resources
  • About Ayurveda
    • Ayurveda, Diet, and Yoga
    • Ayurveda Resources