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Thrigunas
Tri means three and gunas means qualities, thus Trigunas determines
the three qualities, which determines people's nature, belief and
perception.
The three gunas are classified as:
These three gunas -Trigunas - are found in nature
as well as in mind corresponding to the three doshas (vatha, pitha,
kapha) of the body. Just like the three doshas of body are the
essential components of body, the three gunas - Satwa, Rajas, Tamas
- are the essential components (or energies) of mind, describing
the mental state of the mind of a person. Ayurveda advocates a
unique description and distinction of people on the basis of the
psychological state (constitution) of their mind- Manasa Prakriti.
Genetically determined, these psychological characteristics are
dependent on the relative dominance of the three gunas.
While all individuals have these three gunas in various proportions, the predominant
guna of the three determines a person's mansa Prakriti (pshychological constitution
of mind), balances the mind and the body, maintaining them in a healthy state.
Any disorder in this balance results in various types of mental disorders.
Satwa Guna characterized by lightness, awareness, delight
and lucidity, is pure, free from malady and cannot distort and disturbed
in any way. It activates the senses and is responsible for the perception
of knowledge.
Rajas Guna which is most active of the gunas, characterizes
motion and stimulation. All wants, wishes, aspirations and erratic-mindedness
are a result of the effects of rajas guna.
Tamas Guna which characterizes heaviness and immunity,
produces disturbances in the process of perception (way one thinks) and activities
of the mind. Hallucinations, laziness, apathy, sleepiness and drowsiness
habits are due to it.
The balance of Rajas and Tamas, just as with the doshas, can be disturbed by
stress, negative vibes and desires as kama (lust), irshya (venom), moha (hallucination),
lobha (greed & avarice), chintja (anxiety & concern), bhaya (fear)
and krodha (anger).
Satwika individuals (having the Satwa guna) are usually very noble and spiritual
in character, their nature and mood are determined by their body type as well
the positioning of their stars. They have an element of kapha in their constitution.
The three gunas - satwa, rajas, and tamas - are found in nature and in the
mind, paralleling the three doshas of the body. Satwa, or purity, is the
ideal state of mind because a person with this quality is calm, alert, kind,
and thoughtful. A person whose mind is predominantly rajasic (too active)
always seeks diversions (incessant activity). The tamas-predominant mind
is a dull, lethargic mind.
Just as combinations of Vayu, Pitha and Kapha exist
for the body, the mind has combinations of satwa, rajas, and tamas.
Individuals whose minds are satwic and rajasic are those who enthusiastically
study spiritual and holistic measures to improve themselves. Rajasic-tamasic
minded people will actively work and exercise to overcome their
lethargy.
The proper balance of the mind and the development of purity and
peace help in the development of a satwic mind. This is the first
stage of samadhi or spiritual realization.
To decide the cause of illness, the practitioner observes, questions and takes
the pulse of the patient. Learning its cause, or seeing it in its incubatory,
beginning, developmental, or advanced stages can help in the understanding of
illness.
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