Samanya Yoga

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Ways to Balance Sattva Guna

Sattva Guna represents the quality of purity, harmony, and balance. It is one of the three fundamental qualities or 'Gunas' that, according to ancient Indian philosophy, are present in all things and beings in the universe. Sattva is the balance between being too pushing and being lazy in all that we do.

To increase Sattva Guna, you want a lifestyle and mindset that promote clarity, compassion, and peacefulness. A daily life involves creating an environment and routine that nurtures positivity, purity, and peace.

A yogic lifestyle and a regular practice of yoga, meditation and mindfulness can help achieve this by promote mental clarity and emotional stability. These practices also cultivate a habit of self-reflection to foster self-awareness and personal growth. Sattva can be experienced in the balance between working too hard and being too lazy in a yoga pose, such as warrior 2.

Increasing Sattva Guna can also be achieved through various practices such as consuming a Sattvic diet, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables and wholesome foods; maintaining personal hygiene; simplifying your surroundings by decluttering your space to reduce chaos and distractions; and cultivating positive and uplifting conversations and relationships that encourage kindness and empathy.

Additionally, establishing a consistent sleep routine of going to bed and waking up early to align with the natural rhythms of the body, spending time in nature, and practicing Bhakti Yoga (practicing devotion and spirituality that unites your true Self with the true reality of he universe through intense love for God), can also contribute to enhancing Sattva Guna.

By increasing Sattva, you can experience a greater sense of happiness, stability, and peace, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

As with the other two Gunas of Tamas and Rajas, it is important to approach these changes gradually, making one of two changes, observing their effects and adjusting as needed to find the right balance for one's individual constitution and lifestyle.