Ayurveda Article - Cultivate The Saatvic Mind For You

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Cultivating the Saatvic Mind

 

Through centuries of observing both cosmic and human behavior,

ancient ayurvedic healers defined three basic gunas or qualities that

influence everything that happens in the macrocosm of the universe or

the microcosm of our minds. It's the quantity of these three gunas --

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas -- that ayurvedic healers believed can create

or destroy harmony in our lives:

Sattva is the most superior of all gunas. Sattva in the Universe is

responsible for Creation. Inside our own self, it gives us the

ability to visualize well, think right, do good and act in accordance

with the laws of nature.

Rajas stands for action. In cosmic terms, Rajas is responsible for

Maintenance and Nurturing of what has been created. In human beings,

the Rajasic guna or quality means giving a concrete shape to dreams,

being motivated and taking action. Excess of Rajas, however, leads to

an unsettled and perpetually restless mind.

Tamas supplies us with the ability to finish or complete what was

generated by Sattva and Rajas. In the context of the Universe, Tamas

stands for Destruction. While some may see Tamas as a negative guna,

ayurvedic philosophy says Tamas has its own role in the scheme of

things. It weans us from the old and the lifeless, urging us to move

on and invest in that which is still alive.

While a balanced personality blends all three gunas in equal measure,

the most positive personality is that which is high on Sattva. Is it

possible to cultivate more Sattva in our lives? Certainly, says

ayurveda. If so, how? Ayurveda suggests a two-pronged approach. Pay

attention, say vaidyas, to the following:

Aahara: diet.

Vihara: activity or lifestyle.Vaidya Ramakant Mishra, renowned

ayurvedic expert and currently Director of Research and Product

Development at Maharishi Ayurveda, shares his tips on each of these

pillars.

 

First, his thoughts on Aahara:

He begins with the oft-quoted saying "You are what you eat."

Ayurveda, he says, believes this simple statement holds infinite

meaning and truth. To illustrate this point, healers use the example

of the elephant, the tiger and the jackal.

The elephant is a pure vegetarian. He is strong, gentle and

intelligent enough to work well in a human environment. The elephant

represents the Saatvic mind.

The tiger represents the Rajasic nature. He kills and eats other

animals, and this carnivorous nature makes him fierce and aggressive.

Restless and strong, the tiger is always on the prowl.

The jackal symbolizes the Tamasic mind. He is cunning, fearful and

lazy, shunning daylight and surviving on food left uneaten by other

animals.

Your goal, says Vaidya Mishra, should be to acquire the Saatvic

qualities of the elephant. This can be achieved by analyzing your

eating habits and improving them in keeping with these guidelines:

Eat vegetarian food. Light foods such as fresh vegetables, milk,

fruits, most grains, split or whole mung dal and almonds increase

calmness, clarity and creativity of the mind-in other words, they

enhance Sattva.

Use Ghee as your medium of cooking. Ghee is clarified butter, free of

milk solids, proteins and water. It has amazing nutritive and

medicinal qualities, besides being extremely flavorful and aromatic.

Its penetrative qualities make it an excellent medium for aiding the

absorption of nutrients by the body, while also lubricating the

tissues.

Avoid refrigerated, processed, artificially colored, canned and

chemically preserved foods as far as you can. They increases ama or

toxic undigested matter in the physiology, tax the body's agni or

digestive fire, lack vitality and do not stimulate your Sattva.

Eat cooked food instead of raw. Ayurveda believes that the essential

nutrients of food are not available to the body until agni or fire is

applied to them in the form of heat. For ayurvedic recipes using ghee

and healing spices, you can to MAPI's Flavors of Health

newsletter.

Avoid fermented foods, in which the disintegration of nutrients has

begun even before they are consumed. These foods, such as vinegar,

ketchup, yeast breads and alcohol, increase Tamas or dullness in the

mind.

Always eat slightly less than what your hunger demands.

Eat all meals at regular times. And now, Vaidya Mishra's thoughts on

Vihara:

Vihara is essentially your behavior and action as influenced by the

quality of your mind. Again, Vaidya Mishra starts with an example,

that of a burning train. When a train catches fire, the three minds

respond in very different ways:

 

The Tamasic mind, being dull and weak, faints or panics-unable to act

or react in an appropriate manner. The Rajasic mind is naturally

reliant on action, and therefore immediately starts hunting for the

nearest fire extinguisher or exit. The Saatvic mind, being calm and

steady, takes a moment to analyze the situation and acts only after

weighing the right response to the situation.

Though each of us is born with one or more dominating gunas, it is in

our power to increase the guna we want. How can the mind be led

toward Sattva? Vaidya Mishra's answer is simple. You train the mind

to act in accordance with the laws of nature. His tips on how to do

this are practical and logical. Among other things, Vaidya Mishra

strongly recommends the following

 

Sattva-building measures:

Focus on activities that bring you joy.

Do not restrain natural urges such as sneezing or yawning.

Go for walks. Retire early and make sure you get a good night's

sleep.

Be gentle and forgiving of yourself.

Practice moderation in everything-be it diet, sleep, or exercise.

Keep the company of the wise.

Fine-tune your senses, so that your indriya or senses learn to obey

your manas or mind. This will help you make healthful and happy

choices, leading to increased Sattva in your life.

Twice a day for 20 minutes, practice Transcendental Meditation®,

which is a scientifically proven way to heighten creativity, expand

consciousness, improve relationships and increase Sattva.In

conclusion, then, the Saatvic mind always chooses those thoughts and

actions that promote fulfillment and joy. It is rich in dhi or

knowledge: it knows just What is beneficial for it. Cultivate Sattva

in your life, and you will be able to reconnect with the limitless

power of your atma or Self.

 

 

Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended

to replace standard medical care or advice.

Copyright MAPI, 2002.

 

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