WHAT IS THE PROCESS ...TO REACH GUNATIT STATE ?PART 02
- Chida nanda
- Aug 11, 2017
- 8 min read
THE ROLE OF TRIGUN IN CREATION;-
07 FACTS;-
1-The gunas are born from Prakriti. The Self does not reside in them but they reside in him . Before creation, they remain inactive and in a state of perfect balance in the Primordial Nature (mula Prakriti). When their balance is disturbed, creation sets in motion, and the diversity of objects and beings come into existence, each possessing the triple gunas in different proportions.
2-Beings in the higher worlds contain the predominance of sattva. Beings in the lower worlds the predominance of tamas, and those in the middle worlds contain the predominance of rajas. In humans, all the three gunas are present in different degrees of predominance according to their spiritual purity and progress. Sinners who are beyond redemption possess the predominance of tamas, pious people who abide by Dharma possess the predominance of sattva, while worldly people who are driven by selfish desires possess the predominance of rajas.
3-According to the Bhagavadgita, God is the real Enjoyer. He brings forth the entire creation for his joy (ananda). It is Purusha only who, seated in Prakriti, enjoys the qualities produced by Prakriti. The gunas are responsible for the diversity of nature. Because of the gunas (qualities) only the division of reality and unreality arise .
4-When the gunas are manifested in creation, the individual souls come under their influence and begin their onward journey into the world of
matter and death.God (Isvara) does not act under the influence of any of the three. He is made up the Purest Sattva (suddha sattva), which is not of this world.
5-Among the gods, Brahma has the predominance of rajas, Vishnu the predominance of sattva and Shiva the predominance of tamas. However, all the three gods are pure beings (shivam). They are not bound to them or to Nature. For the purpose of creation and the order and regularity of the worlds they manifest the gunas to perform their obligatory duties while they themselves are transcendental.
6-Human beings are also subject to the influence of the gunas. Under their control people lose their ability to discern truths, their essential nature or their true Selves. They fail to see their oneness with God and the rest of creation or the presence of God amidst them. ACCORDING TO Bhagavad-Gita..The purpose of such description of these three qualities is not to encourage us to become sattvic or eliminate other qualities.
7-Whether it is sattva or rajas or tamas, the gunas are part of Prakriti and responsible for our ignorance, delusion, bondage and suffering on earth. When they are active, we remain bound to one thing or another. We cannot be free, until they are fully resolved.Therefore, the Bhagavadgita suggests that we should try to transcend them rather than cultivate them. Sattva is purity and beneficial. However, for those who strive for liberation, even cultivation of "sattva" should be not an end in itself for sattva also binds us to the duality of pleasure and pain.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP ;TO REACH GUNATIT STATE? 02 FACTS;- 1-Being sattvic is the first step which helps in making progress on the spiritual path.The sattvic attributes of balance & equanimity ( calmness and composure, esp. in a difficult situation)--render the mind & body to be more receptive to subtler wisdom.A sattvic intellect is capable of grasping subtle nuances( a minute difference) of the truth of life.The mind is tranquil & more attuned to get into a deep meditative state. 2-Everyone would love to become sattvic after getting to know its virtues.All the three gunas are present in everyone in varying proportions.It's not that sattva is totally absent in tamas or rajas predominant people.Some amount of sattva is active even in the most tamasic or rajasic people. Although constantly ignoring the sattvic force within your body--mind ...makes it dormant. CAN PREDOMINANTLY TAMASIC OR RAJASIC NATURE BECOME SATTVIC?-
02 FACTS;- 1- It is very much within us to raise the guna we want.To inculcate the sattvic quality is difficult, but not impossible.Many people consider spirituality as '' PROGRESSION TO A SATTVIC WAY OF LIFE'' & A FINAL GOAL'''' but this is not true.. 2-While sattvic people do a lot of good for society, their benevolence can also boost their ego. There is no harm in doing selfless service, as long as they are trully selfless. People of sattvic nature tend to take credit for performing altruistic deeds for the well being of society. True wisdom lied in surrendering all deeds to the real Self. However, they revel in a sense of self-pride for being the doer of noble deeds. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF BEING STUCK WITH SATTAVA?- 05 FACTS ;- 1-There are dangers in inherent in resting on the plateau of sattva, without transcending it. The biggest danger of remaining stuck with Sattva is the probability of backsliding into Tamas. If sattvic people are unaware that there is something beyond sattva, they can become complacent, egoistic and arrogant. 2-Being bound to negative or malevolent deeds is like being bound by iron handcuffs. However, being attached to virtuous deeds is like being bound to golden handcuffs. Even if they are golden, they are handcuffs after all...they bind you. 3-One cannot easily discern (find out) this subtle form of bandage. While avaoding negative deeds is good, being attached to positive deeds can also stall your progress. Sattva-predominant people need to progress by transcending both - negative and positive deeds. 4-The other danger in being sattvic is the belief that says, 'I know it all.' People who have the arrogance of 'I know it all.' can get trapped in the mire of sattva. They tend to be lost in intellectual delights and flaunt (display to show defiance) their knowledge of spirituality. Such knowledge is mere information, not true wisdom. 5-True progress happens on when one becomes empty off all notions and abides like an empty flute, through which divine music can be played. WHAT IS THE UNFORTUNATE BACKSLIDE ?----- It can be considered unfortunate for someone who has come near the ultimate state to then backslide due to complacency or arrogance. It would be sad because this person had overcome tamas and rajas and had the momentum to transcend the gunas.Many gurus are the example of it. NAME THE CHARACTERS FROM HINDU MYTHOLOGY THOSE STUCK WITH SATTAVA?-
02 FACTS;- 1-Characters from Hindu mythology like Yudhistira and Lord Indra serve as examples of those stuck with sattva. Hindu mythology sysbolizes Lord Indra as the lord of rains. People would gather and pray to him if they didn't receive adequate rainfall.
2-Indra is shown as being surrounded by beautiful angels and apsaras, which is symbolic of the fruit of being sattvic. Enamored with his wonderful state, he forgets to shed rain on Earth. Consequently, he is dethroned and slips into tamas, as a result of which he has to restart his journey towards sattva.Hence it is essential to access the Gunateet state and abide in it. WHAT IS THE THE SECOND STEP?-
02 FACTS;- 1-The first step is to inculcate the sattvic quality which is the bridge towards the Gunateet state.
2- The second one is ... To become desireless & surrender before God. The second step is not easy.. it takes a time.. which is based on selfless deeds.. WHAT IS THE REAL GUNATEET STATE ?- 06 FACTS;-- 1-Pure Consciousness transcends the three temparaments; your are pure consciousness. When you abide in the detached state of pure consciousness, you choose when to use tamas, when to use rajas, and when to use sattva. 2-For example, you make use of tamas to get into deep sleep at bedtime. While meditating you make controlled use of tamas and sattva to enter into deep state of stillness. When some activity needs to be done, you make use of rajas and perform the activity. Thus, for everything that you need to do, you have gunas at your disposal. 3-If the need is to get up and do something, you actuate rajas and start doing it. You are aware that you are employing the guna for the divine purpose of your body-mind; hence you don't get attached to it. You experience yourself as the detached by your gunas. 4-You clearly see your gunas as mere tools and choose them; the tools don't control you. You make a wise decision every time because you are not swayed by your temperaments. This is true Self-mastery. 5-The Gunateet state doesn't distance you from the world. You take part in every activity that you need to. Inspired actions arise from the Self and express through your body-mind. it is just that although you are very much part of everything, but you are not attached to it. 6-You connect and transact with the world with an indifferent curiosity. You have a top-view of things. You express divine love for people; not 'personalized' love that is related to the body and mind. Every activity become a means of Self-expression instead of fuelling the ego. Thus the gunateet state is a state of freedom and liberation.
7-A good understanding of the gunas can help you make wise decisions and remain on the right side of life. For example, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali, the rules and restraints for novices and advanced practitioners in Jainism and Buddhism are meant to cultivate sattva or inner purity, without which the mind cannot be stabilized in contemplation or in mindfulness. Cultivation of purity is at the root of all spiritual traditions of ancient India. In today’s world, where tamas and rajas predominate, it is even more important. THE THIRD STEP ... SHIFTING TO THE GUNATEET STATE;--
05 FACTS;- 1-The Gunateet state exists beyond all effort. It is our true nature. When we assume ourselves to be the body-mind, we are attached to the body-mind and consumed by the play of the gunas. Hence, shifting to the transcendental state is about recognizing our true nature. With the right understanding of the nature of Self, we can learn to abide in pure untouched awareness, from where we can witness the continous flux( the process of flowing) of the gunas. 2-While we work to gain clear recognition of our true nature, we can start by raising our awareness to spot the play of tamas, rajas and sattva in daily life. With higher awareness, we can spot it when the three gunas are at work within us. Sattva needs to be given priority because it is the bridge towards the Gunateet state. 3-Consider the situation when you feel like sitting in meditation. If you are sattva-predominant, you will immediately go ahead and remain seated in meditation. But if you are tamas or rajas predominant, you might feel like procrastinating. You might think, "Let's do it later; not now." Spot the rise of tamas or rajas here. If you feel like sleeping instead of meditating, tamas is at work. If you feel like watching your favorite Tv. show or getting into activity, rajas is at work. We need to spot with higher awareness. 4-When you feel like meditating, it is a force from the Self that you need to use to go within. If you allow tamas or rajas to take over, you are in effect using "force against force." Instead of submitting yourself to the positive force of sattava, you act against it and give way to tamas or rajas. We need to become alert to the play of the gunas. 5-Samkhya philosophers say that life exists for the purpose of acquiring experience and knowing the Self. The gunas are meant to facilitate this spiritual endeavor. They reveal, conceal, and stir us up—all for the purpose of drawing us closer to purusha, the knower.With the guidance of a true Guru/Mentor/Your soul, not only ,you can move from tamas to sattva..But also beyond Sattva ..into Stateless Transcendental State of Self-Awareness... ...SHIVOHAM...