Knowledge of the gunas is mentally freeing and spiritually empowering!
I am so grateful for Shunyaji giving us knowledge of the gunas through session 23 of the Karma Yoga teachings!
I had previously, unconsciously, thought of the gunas as more of an “outside” force that I somehow could (and should!) control to make myself “better.” It makes so much more sense, that just like the heartbeat, the actions of the lungs, or even the impulse that makes the eyes blink, the gunas are a natural function that acts mysteriously within our body-mind. Yes, we do have some control over the gunas, by what we consume through the senses (just as we have some control over our heart rate, breathing, and eye blinking), but it is mentally freeing to know that so much is beyond our control and in the hands of GOD – it is the freedom of surrender – I receive and offer every little action of the gunas to YOU, my beloved GOD, as it plays out in YOUR grand design.
And this knowledge is so spiritually empowering- the reminder to not attach myself to sattva, because at the moment of death, the circumstances are likely to be far from sattvic, and I must be empowered enough, practiced enough, hold the remembrance enough, so that at the moment of death, I am only attached to GOD.
Knowledge of the truth of the gunas underscores what we’ve heard from our teacher again and again: It is not necessary to be holy; we only need to be whole. To be in remembrance of GOD/Self, and in selfless action of/for GOD – this is wholeness.
Jai Maa!
Thank Kristen... this sharing is enlightening and clarifying as well. I appreciate the perspective here that help me to integrate.