three strands
finding balance in rest
This week my focus has been on living in balance. Finding balance in the three strands of life to be sure that I hold myself at the center. As long as I hold myself aware of my wellbeing and opportunity I will thrive.
In class this week my dharma talk was introducing the gunas: nature’s three fundamental forces. Prakriti is everything that is in the known universe. These are the things we see, feel and experience. They are the potential forces of sattva, rajas and tamas; when they are in balance with each other all can be known. I invite you to think of a three stranded braid, guna literally means “strand” or “fiber”. If you do not have one fiber, the braid will fall apart. Have too little in one strand and it will not hold as strong. The strongest braid is that which is of equal force.
There is nothing on the earth, in heaven or even among the gods, that is free from the influence of these three modes of nature. Bhagavad Gita 18:40
What are these modes of nature?
Rajas are the energy of change. This is the competition, desire, effort, passion and pain. This is the force of life. And an area where when I get stressed rears its ugly head. Everyone manifests their state of overwhelm differently. For me; it is to work harder, longer and better. This also means I will probably get sick because I burned my essential flame. I am working on limiting my “to- dos” to make space for tamas.
Tamas is the presence of rest. This is lethargy, inattentiveness, procrastination, steady energy and sleep. This is an area where I struggle. My natural state is one of doing. So to find space to be still is not my strength. But I acknowledge the more I find a steady energy, the consciousness is allowed in. Forest bathing and the sit spot is a wonderful tool to slow my body and mind.
Sattva is conscious awareness. This is mindfulness, contentment, unselfish joy and wisdom. This is the area many of us want to be always. We want to be in this state of pure clarity. We want to feel a sense of light and balance where we feel at one with ourselves, our family and our surroundings. And yet- we still need to work and rest. We cannot always be in a state of bliss.
Think back to that three strand braid. How in your life are your forces in balance?
“The Gunas tell us whether we are genuinely moving forward in life (sattva) , running in place (rajas) or losing our way (tamas).”
This week, I invite you to welcome the awareness of the gunas into every aspect of your life.
This Week’s A Door Within:
How are the strands of my braid balanced?
♥ Ashley
