November 24, 2013

Today, in class, we mainly discussed the three types of Gunas:

 

Sathvik Guna: This guna generally represents the purest and best attributes that one can possess:

·         Just action – action for justice (against injustice)

·         Generosity

·         Selflessness

·         Kindness

·         Love for everyone and everything

·         Calmness – polar opposite of anger

 

Rajasik Guna: This guna represents the “middle” level of attributes. These attributes are better than Tamasik Guna attributes, but are not the best attributes that one can have:

·         Action oriented

·         Greed for more than oneself

·         Less selfishness and more empathy

·         Firmness, but not Cruelty

·         Not Lust, but just liking things

·         More controlled anger (against unjust causes)

 

Tamasik Guna: This guna represents the lowest attributes that one can have:

·         Laziness

·         Greed

·         Selfishness

·         Cruelty

·         Lust

·         Anger 

Once we were taught about these ideas, the whole class then collectively took a survey. The survey consisted of the teachers giving the class a scenario and 4 responses – we (as students) had to choose the response that applied to us. In the end, it showed everyone in the class what attributes they had, which would in turn show them what guna they were a part of.

 

This activity showed us what we need to improve on by showing us what attributes we possess. Therefore, it was highly beneficial for everyone that participated in it.

 

- Srivats Narasimhan