In day by day life, we regularly 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 elements. 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 stability.
Tamas (Tamo Guna)
Tamo, derived from the basis phrase “Tama,” represents darkness, and Guna means high quality. Tamo Guna is without doubt 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 known as Tamas, and an extra of Tamo Guna in an individual is thought to be 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.
Nonetheless, 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 an entire sense of relaxation or rest for some time can be part of Tamo Guna.
The right way to 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 completely 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. In consequence, they turn out to be unbalanced, each in day by day routine and at work.
2. Lazy and Uninteresting
Tamas Guna will increase rigidity and inertia in an individual, making them lazy and boring. They continually want sleep and relaxation. In relation to work, they turn out to be moody. Whether or not the work is essential or not, they do it solely after they really feel prefer it.
Alternatively, they typically crave sensual pleasures and are energetic primarily in issues of lust or when their wishes are fulfilled.
3. Confused
The dominance of Tamas Guna will increase ignorance. A tamasic particular person is unable to grasp what is sweet or dangerous for them. On this state, the thoughts turns into confused whereas making selections. Subsequently, tamasic folks typically really feel puzzled and unsure.
4. Loneliness loving and disconnected
A rise in Tamas Guna can improve ego. Tamasic folks might contemplate themselves superior and keep away from the corporate of others. This results in disconnection and a way of loneliness.
5. Stuffed with anger
The dominance of Tamas Guna brings out the darker aspect of an individual. It may possibly trigger intense anger and promote damaging actions.
When an individual is overwhelmed by anger, nothing else appears to matter, and so they might act in dangerous or damaging methods.
6. Irregular weight-reduction plan
Tamasic individuals are typically keen on junk meals. They might favor alcohol, eggs, pink meat, and dry or tasteless meals, and normally present much less curiosity in contemporary, home-cooked meals.
Be aware: Naturally, Tamas Guna, together with the opposite two Gunas (Rajas and Sattva), is current in all of us. These traits turn out to be clearly seen solely when Tamas Guna is dominant.
Optimistic elements of tamas guna
Primarily based on the traits described above, it could appear that there isn’t a want for Tamas Guna in an individual. Nonetheless, Tamas Guna can be important in sure elements of life.
1. Leisure
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 loosen up and recharge the physique.
Tamas Guna is liable for sleep and relaxation. With out this Guna, an individual would stay stressed and unsettled.
2. Grounded and steady
To practise yoga, an individual must be steady and grounded. Tamas Guna inside helps keep grounding and stability throughout yogic practices. In circumstances of an imbalanced root chakra, Tamas Guna is commonly inspired.
It is a vital component within the non secular journey. With out Tamas Guna, a yogi can’t progress additional in spirituality.
Kinds of Tamas
The tamasic sort of character may be labeled into three sorts:
1. Pasava (Sharing traits of animal)
- Aggressive or forbidding nature
- Lack of intelligence
- Extreme sexual wishes
- Extreme sleep and lack of self-discipline
2. Matsya (Sharing traits of fish)
- Cowardly and timid nature
- Lack of intelligence
- Greed for meals
- Sturdy want for water
- Fixed anger
3. Vanaspatya (Sharing traits of vegetable life)
- Laziness
- Low intelligence
- Fixed starvation and overeating
- Dependence on teams
The right way to cut back extra tamas guna
To start with, there was nothing, nothing however the silence of infinite darkness. Then got here the sunshine!
Guide of Genesis
To flee darkness, one must make an effort that brings mild. Mild represents movement and is the alternative of darkness (or Tamas Guna).
Together with the next yogic practices and way of life adjustments will help cut back extra Tamas Guna and stability its proportion among the many three Gunas.
1. By Including vinyasa in asana observe
To cut back Tamas, add extra motion to your observe.
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 observe.
- The Solar Salutation sequence works properly when Tamas Guna is elevated.
- Ahead bends are usually extra enjoyable than backbends. If you happen to really feel lazy or boring, practise extra backbends akin to Bow Pose and Bridge Pose.
- Minimise the time spent in Shavasana or Balasana throughout a yoga sequence.
2. By regulating breathe by means of pranayama
Pranayama vitalizes power within the type of Prana (life pressure) in each cell of the physique. After performing Pranayama, you’ll higher conscious of your actions, your ideas, and finally, that may cut back anger, which is a typical attribute of Tamas Guna’s dominance.
3. Adopting shifting meditation methods
Tamo Guna is important to enter meditation, however extra Tamas can result in unintended sleep throughout observe.
Meditation methods that contain mild motion assist cut back the consequences of extra Tamas Guna. Examples embody strolling meditation, shifting meditation, and practising mindfulness whereas doing day by day duties or family chores.
4. Keep away from oversleeping or sitting for lengthy hours
Correct sleep is important for good well being. Nonetheless, extreme sleep makes the physique lazy and sluggish, growing Tamas Guna.
Equally, sitting in a single place for lengthy hours also can improve Tamas Guna. Taking quick breaks and stretching the backbone helps forestall 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 identify 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 way in which you behave, and is liable for your power degree. So it’s known as,
You’re what you eat.
Tamasic meals will increase Tamas Guna. This consists of pink 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. Based on Ayurveda, tamasic meals just isn’t useful for bodily or psychological well being.
Tamasic meals drains prana and fills the physique with destructive power. Keep away from these meals and select sattvic meals which can be gentle, contemporary, pure, and nutritious.
7. Spend time with nature
Nature is a supply of power and therapeutic. Take breaks from day by day routines and spend time in pure environment. Nature helps restore stability and vitality.
Conclusion
A balanced proportion of all three Gunas is important for creating a optimistic angle and a wholesome character.
Tamas is a top quality of stability and groundedness, however when it turns into extreme, it may well negatively have an effect on one’s character. With a little bit willpower and self-awareness, you’ll be able to work on tamasic tendencies and cut back extra Tamas Guna.