Ayurvedic Application of Asana :: Sattva Guna

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2 Ayurvedic Application of Asana :: Sattva Guna

3 Ayurvedic Application of Asana :: Sattva Guna Module 1 :: Lesson 8 Yoga Veda Institute Ayurvedic Application of Asana :: Sattva Guna :: Module 1 :: Lesson

4 Manas Prakruti Manas prakruti is a term that defines the mental constitution and is described in terms of the three gunas (sattva, rajas and tamas). Sattva qualities of the mind are clarity, alertness, attentiveness, understanding, purity, compassion and co-operation. Rajas qualities include ambition, self-centeredness, selfishness and restlessness. Tamas qualities express in the mind as dullness, gloominess, sadness, depression and laziness.

5 To Create Balance Sattva, rajas and tamas must be balanced which means having a balanced diet, moderate amount of sleep (tamas), moderate levels of activity (rajas) and moderate meditation (sattva). Rajas is responsible for movement, but we should have Sattvic movement, which is good conduct. Tamas is inertia, but we need Sattvic inertia, which is sound sleep.

6 Merging from Samadhi to Nirguna Samadhi or absorp(on is a state of balance between the gunas. they merge into prakru(. which merges into Purusha :: (realiza(on of the True Nature as spirit). Manas prakru( is therefore the mental cons(tu(on when the gunas are balanced and in a state of nirguna.

7 Imbalance in the Mind Dr. Halpern comments on the lack of clarity (sattva) within the mind. He says rajas and tamas are the true causes of mental disease and hence disease begins when a person forgets their true nature as Spirit. This causes imbalances, which are perceived in the mind as disturbing emotions. Disturbances in prana, tejas and oafs. Ultimately lead to imbalances in the physical body via vata, pitta and kapha.

8 Five Main Causes of Manas Vikruti 1. Inappropriate diet 2. Inappropriate lifestyle 3. Lack of clarity in relationships 4. Repressed emotions 5. Stress Dr. Vasant Lad says psychological stress is caused by not being in the present moment as it is.

9 Sattva Guna To cultivate sattva guna :: To move from manas vikruti to manas prakruti. Dr. Frawley says that Yoga and Ayurveda emphasizes its development. Stage 1 :: The development of sattva guna (purification of mind and body). Stage 2 :: Transcendence of sattva (going beyond the body and mind to our True Self comes from higher meditation practices).

10 Func(on of the mind Consciousness (chi3a) Intelligence (Buddhi) Mind (Manas) Ego (Ahamkara) SaBva Inner peace, selfless love, faith, joy, devo(on, compassion, recep(vity, clarity, good intui(on, deep understanding, detachment, fearlessness, inner silence, clear memory, calm sleep, right rela(onships Discrimina(on between the eternal and the transient, clear percep(ons, strong ethics, tolerance, nonviolence, truthfulness, honesty, clarity, cleanliness Good self-control, control of senses, control of sexual desire, ability to endure pain, ability to withstand the elements (heat & cold), detachment from the body, does what one says Spiritual idea of self, selflessness, surrender, devo(on, selfknowledge, concern for others, respect for all creatures, compassion

11 Ayurveda Ayurveda is a system of healing that has its roots in ancient India. It is thought by many scholars to be the oldest healing system extant on the planet. Knowledge of Ayurveda originates in the Sanskrit language and the term Ayurveda comes from the roots :: Ayus :: meaning life. Veda :: meaning knowledge, hence Ayurveda is the Knowledge of life.

12 Knowledge of Life The term knowledge of life :: is not simply the understanding of the facts of life but it is a deep knowing of Truth, to know something means to become one with the knowledge. Svastha :: In Sanskrit, the word for perfect health. Sva :: self Stha :: established Therefore the term svastha, for perfect health, means established in the self.

13 Health In order to have perfect health sattva guna must be developed :: Through right diet, physical purification, control of the senses, control of the mind, mantra and devotion. By cultivating sattva guna a person grows and evolves, awareness increases...further growth and evolution (of the soul) leads to higher states of awareness and realization of God. This is sattva.

14 Disease In his definition of disease Dr. Halpern says understanding what health is :: Disease is anything less than perfect health...any disturbance of a person s peace of mind and well-being, no matter how slight, implies disease. Ayurvedic concepts define disease not only as physical, but as subtle and spiritual also. A part of God resides within each of us. Sankhya philosophy:: it is our spirit or soul.

15 Achieving Perfect Health Through Ayurveda Related almost directly and proportionally to proper lifestyle and state of mind. This proper lifestyle is an art of daily living that has evolved from practical, philosophical and spiritual illumination rooted in the understanding of Creation.

16 The Three Pillars The three pillars of life are :: Proper management of food and digestion, proper management of sleep and proper management of sexual energy. The body uses sleep as an opportunity to use its energy for healing and repairing any damage to the body that accumulated during the waking hours. The third pillar, the management of sexual energy is important because sexual release is understood to reduce the energy available for supporting the healing of the body and mind.

17 Structure Creating balance by structure in life helps reduce the effects of stress says Robert Svoboda. Stress occurs every time you have to adapt to a new situation. Every time your environment, physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual surroundings change, you must change along with it and develop a new equilibrium with it.

18 Immunity Ojas :: is a substance that can be produced, collected and stored and is the foundation of your physical immunity, and produces your aura. Your aura is your first line of defense from the outside. Ayurveda believes that routine discipline, for body and mind, actively strengthens immunity.

19 Habits Daily routines, habits and rhythms saying they are the single most important determinant of well-being. Healthy habits create a healthy life. Unhealthy habits create an unhealthy life. Thus healing occurs by correcting the habits that are causing illhealth and adopts habits that bring about harmony and healing.

20 We will pick up tomorrow from here, see you then!

Sister Science Beyond Asana. Module 2 : Lesson 3 Ayurveda and the practice of Meditation

Sister Science Beyond Asana. Module 2 : Lesson 3 Ayurveda and the practice of Meditation Sister Science - Beyond Asana Module 2 : Lesson 3 Ayurveda and the practice of Meditation Hi There, Andy here. Co-founder of Yoga Veda Institute. I am blessed to be able to teach Yoga Philosophy & Meditation