In each day life, we frequently expertise moments of heaviness laziness, dullness, oversleeping, lack of motivation, or psychological confusion. In yogic philosophy, these states are linked to Tamas Guna, the standard of inertia and darkness.
In nature, every part has two points. If there’s movement in an object, rigidity can be part of its nature. The states of motionlessness, rigidity, and inertia exist due to Tamo Guna in nature.
Understanding Tamas Guna helps us recognise why we really feel caught at occasions and the way we are able to gently transfer in the direction of steadiness.
Tamas (Tamo Guna)
Tamo, derived from the basis phrase “Tama,” represents darkness, and Guna means high quality. Tamo Guna is likely one of the basic qualities of nature from which every part has emerged.
In nature, it exists together with the opposite two Gunas as Trigunas and helps kind matter, inertia, and the static power of objects. It’s generally referred to as Tamas, and an extra of Tamo Guna in an individual is considered a tamasic character.
A tamasic character refers to these qualities in an individual that result in carelessness, recklessness, overthinking, and overindulgence. The qualities of Tamas Guna come up from negligence, delusion, and ignorance.
Nevertheless, it can’t be mentioned that Tamas is just an indication of negativity.
Among the many three constructing blocks that represent Manas (the thoughts), Tamo Guna combines with Rajas and Sattva Guna to assist manifest every part in its gross or clear kind. The facet of nature that brings stability and a whole sense of relaxation or rest for some time can be part of Tamo Guna.
Establish the dominance of tamas
To recognise Tamas Guna, one must analyse oneself. Observe your actions, reactions, and thought processes in several conditions and at totally different occasions of the day. You’ll then discover when Tamas Guna is dominant in your nature.
The next traits are generally seen when Tamas Guna is dominant:
1. Careless and unbalanced
A tamasic particular person neither cares about themselves nor about others. They don’t take note of what they’re doing or how they’re performing an motion. Because of this, they change into unbalanced, each in each day routine and at work.
2. Lazy and Uninteresting
Tamas Guna will increase rigidity and inertia in an individual, making them lazy and uninteresting. They always need sleep and relaxation. With regards to work, they change into moody. Whether or not the work is vital or not, they do it solely once they really feel prefer it.
However, they usually crave sensual pleasures and are energetic primarily in issues of lust or when their needs are fulfilled.
3. Confused
The dominance of Tamas Guna will increase ignorance. A tamasic particular person is unable to grasp what is sweet or unhealthy for them. On this state, the thoughts turns into confused whereas making selections. Due to this fact, tamasic folks usually really feel puzzled and unsure.
4. Loneliness loving and disconnected
A rise in Tamas Guna can enhance ego. Tamasic folks could take into account themselves superior and keep away from the corporate of others. This results in disconnection and a way of loneliness.
5. Filled with anger
The dominance of Tamas Guna brings out the darker facet of an individual. It will possibly trigger intense anger and promote damaging actions.
When an individual is overwhelmed by anger, nothing else appears to matter, and so they could act in dangerous or damaging methods.
6. Irregular weight-reduction plan
Tamasic persons are usually keen on junk meals. They could choose alcohol, eggs, crimson meat, and dry or tasteless meals, and often present much less curiosity in contemporary, home-cooked meals.
Notice: Naturally, Tamas Guna, together with the opposite two Gunas (Rajas and Sattva), is current in all of us. These traits change into clearly seen solely when Tamas Guna is dominant.
Optimistic points of tamas guna
Based mostly on the traits described above, it might appear that there isn’t any want for Tamas Guna in an individual. Nevertheless, Tamas Guna can be important in sure points of life.
1. Rest
At some moments in life, we want a break from all actions. We’d like moments of silence with ourselves. Equally, after a day’s work, we want sleep to calm down and recharge the physique.
Tamas Guna is answerable for sleep and relaxation. With out this Guna, an individual would stay stressed and unsettled.
2. Grounded and secure
To practise yoga, an individual must be secure and grounded. Tamas Guna inside helps preserve grounding and stability throughout yogic practices. In instances of an imbalanced root chakra, Tamas Guna is commonly inspired.
It is a vital aspect within the non secular journey. With out Tamas Guna, a yogi can’t progress additional in spirituality.
Forms of Tamas
The tamasic sort of character could be categorized into three sorts:
1. Pasava (Sharing traits of animal)
- Aggressive or forbidding nature
- Lack of intelligence
- Extreme sexual needs
- Extreme sleep and lack of self-discipline
2. Matsya (Sharing traits of fish)
- Cowardly and timid nature
- Lack of intelligence
- Greed for meals
- Sturdy need for water
- Fixed anger
3. Vanaspatya (Sharing traits of vegetable life)
- Laziness
- Low intelligence
- Fixed starvation and overeating
- Dependence on teams
cut back extra tamas guna
At first, there was nothing, nothing however the silence of infinite darkness. Then got here the sunshine!
E-book of Genesis
To flee darkness, one must make an effort that brings mild. Mild represents movement and is the other of darkness (or Tamas Guna).
Together with the next yogic practices and way of life adjustments can assist cut back extra Tamas Guna and steadiness its proportion among the many three Gunas.
1. By Including vinyasa in asana apply
To scale back Tamas, add extra motion to your apply.
Yoga asanas are invigorating and convey movement to the nonetheless physique. Vinyasa provides a better vary of motion to asanas, which removes rigidity and encourages exercise.
The next asana methods assist cut back Tamas Guna:
- Maintain poses for a shorter length and embody extra Vinyasa circulation in your apply.
- The Solar Salutation sequence works properly when Tamas Guna is elevated.
- Ahead bends are typically extra stress-free than backbends. When you really feel lazy or uninteresting, practise extra backbends comparable to Bow Pose and Bridge Pose.
- Minimise the time spent in Shavasana or Balasana throughout a yoga sequence.
2. By regulating breathe by way of pranayama
Pranayama vitalizes power within the type of Prana (life power) in each cell of the physique. After performing Pranayama, you’ll higher conscious of your actions, your ideas, and finally, that can cut back anger, which is a typical attribute of Tamas Guna’s dominance.
3. Adopting shifting meditation strategies
Tamo Guna is critical to enter meditation, however extra Tamas can result in unintended sleep throughout apply.
Meditation strategies that contain mild motion assist cut back the results of extra Tamas Guna. Examples embody strolling meditation, shifting meditation, and practising mindfulness whereas doing each day duties or family chores.
4. Keep away from oversleeping or sitting for lengthy hours
Correct sleep is important for good well being. Nevertheless, extreme sleep makes the physique lazy and sluggish, growing Tamas Guna.
Equally, sitting in a single place for lengthy hours may also enhance Tamas Guna. Taking quick breaks and stretching the backbone helps stop drowsiness and stiffness throughout work.
5. Change modes of leisure
These days, a lot time is spent in entrance of TVs, laptops, and video video games within the title of leisure. This reduces bodily exercise and will increase laziness (Tamas Guna).
As an alternative of passive leisure, have interaction in sports activities or different bodily actions. This step by step reduces laziness and extra Tamas.
6. Change your weight-reduction plan
The meals impacts well being, the best way you behave, and is answerable for your power degree. So it’s referred to as,
You might be what you eat.
Tamasic meals will increase Tamas Guna. This consists of crimson meat, eggs, alcohol, and different heavy or offensive meals. Any meals that’s overeaten, stale, or leftover additionally turns into tamasic.
Such meals promote anger, fatigue, and low immunity. In line with Ayurveda, tamasic meals is just not helpful for bodily or psychological well being.
Tamasic meals drains prana and fills the physique with unfavourable power. Keep away from these meals and select sattvic meals which might be delicate, contemporary, pure, and nutritious.
7. Spend time with nature
Nature is a supply of power and therapeutic. Take breaks from each day routines and spend time in pure environment. Nature helps restore steadiness and vitality.
Conclusion
A balanced proportion of all three Gunas is important for growing a constructive angle and a wholesome character.
Tamas is a top quality of stability and groundedness, however when it turns into extreme, it will possibly negatively have an effect on one’s character. With slightly dedication and self-awareness, you’ll be able to work on tamasic tendencies and cut back extra Tamas Guna.