WEEK FORTY ONE - A DEEPER MEANING

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! 

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