Summary.. Class Jan 24, 2025
Hari Om.
After starting with opening prayers, we delved into a thought-provoking quote from Swami Chinmayananda:
"Just as the right balance of milk, decoction, and sugar gives coffee its unique flavor, the balance of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas determines the personality of a person."
We used this analogy to explain how the three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—are integral to shaping human personality. These qualities, or gunas, influence our thoughts, behaviors, and actions in every aspect of life.
We spent time discussing what each guna represents and how it plays a role in our daily lives. Sattva is the quality of purity, harmony, and wisdom; Rajas brings activity, desire, and restlessness; and Tamas is characterized by ignorance, lethargy, and confusion. Each of us has a unique blend of these gunas that influences our decisions and actions.
During the session, a question arose about caste and whether people are assigned to specific castes based on their gunas. We clarified that caste is not determined by one's gunas. Historically, the societal division into castes was not based on these three qualities. Instead, people gravitated toward professions that suited their inherent aptitudes and inclinations—shaped by their vasanas (innate tendencies). The connection between a person's profession and their dominant guna is about how their natural tendencies align with the work they find fulfilling.
Next, we shifted our focus to the importance of food, especially Satvic food, in maintaining mental and physical well-being. We discussed how nature, from the earth to the sun, provides us with Satvic food—fresh, natural, and full of vital energy. We emphasized that fast food and non-vegetarian food do not qualify as Satvic, as they often carry a heavier impure energy. As the saying goes, "We are what we eat," and our food greatly affects our mental state and overall life. We encouraged the children to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, and home-cooked meals, while also urging them to actively participate in meal preparation. By doing so, they can create a positive, loving energy in the kitchen, which will ultimately transfer to the food.
To further connect the teachings of the gunas to their daily lives, we discussed how they could apply this awareness in their high school experiences. We emphasized the importance of recognizing when the mind is being pulled by Rajas or Tamas and how they can consciously steer themselves back towards Sattva—peace, clarity, and calm. By practicing mindfulness and focusing on cultivating a Satvic mindset, they can maintain balance and composure, especially in challenging situations.
We concluded the class by reflecting on the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, specifically Chapter 5, Shlokas 17-18, which speak to the realization of the self and the transcendence of the gunas. This provided a spiritual framework for integrating the lessons of the day into their personal journeys of growth and self-awareness.
