sÅv
Sattva - spiritual essence, vitality, courage, existence… (long list!)
The simplest way to describe sattvika nature is 'pure'. Every single one of us is born sattvik. Then the sanchita karma kicks in and determines whether we retain that or have to work through our vaasanas in the state of rajas or tamas. Regardless of our current state, if we are not already in a sattva-predominant nature, then we can make efforts to reach there.What is sattva, and why would we want to be it? The sattvika personality knows how to be still, how to be quiet. Sattva is cheerful and accepting, content and unperturbed. It can see the troubles of the world but does not carry them. It moves only when necessary, takes only what is required, seeks to return more than was taken. Sattva is capital 'ell' Love; it is compassion and the ability to provide a haven for the hurt and needy. Sattva is serene, watchful, has no desire beyond spiritual gain. Sattva is clear about what is "I" and what is not. It knows how to be in the world but not of it. There is both detachment and clarity. We can all find a bit of the sattva within us at times, but to be classed as sattva personality, it needs to be instinctively and predominantly present.
How do we work towards more sattva in our lives? Less careless living; instead, listening to uplifting music, reading fine literature and philosophy, films which carry a message of high human values. Embracing the quiet; appreciating nature, little moments with friends and family, learning to make appropriate boundaries between work and self-time, keeping better company. Taking up self-improvement; be prepared to self-assess without ego, spend time with ourselves to do that, watch for the excuses as to why not…
Then there is the diet, which should consist of foods that are nourishing, soothing and help sharpen the mind, making it more aware and active. Sattvik foods are vegetarian and eaten in moderate amounts.
In fact, what reads as Sattvika can often look like the food pyramid that health centres might distribute. Many countries now understand the need to eat better quality and less quantity, and of more vegetable and pulses, and encourage their citizens to this… but it is essentially the ayurvedic diet and has been around for millennia. Nothing new under the sun!
To be sattvik is to walk upon the earth lightly, to be ahimsa. It is represented in the colour white, in which all colours unify.
This feels like a perfect Earth Day reflection to me. I hope you have/had a blessed one, Yam!
ReplyDeleteI had a very hard time with balancing my desire to be an activist with my personal burden of feeling like a failure all of the time. This line: "It can see the troubles of the world but does not carry them." My teacher had much difficulty helping me understand this, but I hold it close to me every day now.
ReplyDeleteWorking towards this, one day, one moment at a time: "It knows how to be in the world but not of it. There is both detachment and clarity."
ReplyDeleteThank you for the guidance.