We Are All Influenced By These (3) Things
Have you ever felt like invisible forces were impelling you to act against your intentions or better judgment? What are we actually sensing when the “vibe” of a place or person impacts how we feel and act? Why do different types of music, food, activities, etc. have different effects on our emotional, energetic, and psychological states?
“Material nature consists of three modes – goodness, passion and ignorance. When the eternal living entity comes in contact with nature, he becomes conditioned by these modes.”
Bhagavad Gita 14.5
“Sometimes the mode of goodness becomes prominent, defeating the modes of passion and ignorance. Sometimes the mode of passion defeats goodness and ignorance, and at other times ignorance defeats goodness and passion. In this way there is always competition for supremacy.”
Bhagavad Gita 14.10
Yoga philosophy explains that everyone and everything is under the influence of the three “gunas,” also referred to as the “qualities” or “modes” of material nature. The three gunas are: sattva , rajas, and tamas – loosely translated as goodness, passion, and ignorance. As we come into contact with matter (whether physical or subtle), we tune into a particular guna or a combination of gunas and come under their influence. Our attitudes and behaviors, how we see and respond to situations, are all influenced by whichever guna is predominating at any given moment.
The good news is: although we are strongly influenced by the gunas, we are not powerless! With this knowledge of the gunas, we can practice self-observation and discernment to consciously direct our intentions, decisions, and actions towards sattva. We can be mindful about the media, people, foods, and environments we expose ourselves to and the types of activities we prioritize on a daily basis.
“He who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature.”
Bhagavad Gita 14.22-25
The even better news is: once we are situated in sattva, we are actually meant to transcend the gunas altogether! That is because all gunas, even sattva, bind us to our bodies and false egos. And as long as we misidentify as the body and false ego, we cannot achieve spiritual liberation.
The best news is: bhakti yoga is the recommended means for transcending the influence of the gunas! How? Bhakti yoga is a practice that connects us with Divinity which is beyond the influence of the gunas. The stronger our connection with Divinity, the lesser the gunas’ disruptive influence on us. Bhakti yoga is like an anchor in a turbulent ocean. The waves would still hit us but they wouldn’t be able to sweep us away as long as we’re hanging on to the anchor.
māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
“One who engages in full devotional service [bhakti], unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.”
Bhagavad Gita 14.26
To read more about the gunas and how to transcend their influences through the science and practices of bhakti yoga, check out these books (available at Bhakti SF):
