From an Ayurvedic perspective we stay healthy primarily through the rhythm of our minds. It is our minds that determine the rhythm of our actions: what foods we eat, how we relax, how we exercise and how we handle stress. It is these daily actions that determine our habits and “go to” reactions to the events of the day. It is our collection of habits that determines our character – how others perceive us, what opportunities we are given and how we handle our responsibilities..

The mind is impacted by three gunas, or energetic qualities: sattva, rajas and tamas. By understanding how to work with these three energies we begin to understand how to work with our minds and reach our full potential.

Sattva is the energy that creates a clear, focused and stable state of mind. When this guna is predominate we are able to see reality as it is. There is a desire to serve others, without the need to be recognized and applauded for one’s views. This quality is nourished by simple-foods, service to others, compassion and kindness.

Rajas is the state of mind that is active, wants to achieve and get things done. Sometimes we have clarity, but at other times our vision is distorted by our personal agenda. In the moments when we no longer have clarity we may make decisions that do not benefit ourselves or those around us. This quality is nourished by spicy foods, alcohol, marijuana, yearning for ambition and recognition.

Tamas is the state of mind that is dull. This is when we blame others for our troubles and have difficulty seeing that we even have trouble. We cannot see reality clearly. We have difficulty making change or getting going. Everything seems hopeless and pointless. This quality is nourished by old, cold foods, drugs, pornography, and violent films.
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Of course these are not the only three energies. If we combine these three energies with the doshas of Ayurveda (vata, pitta and kapha) we begin to have a much clearer picture of who we are and what we can potentially achieve. 

VATA FOLKS...           

SATTVIC VATA INDIVIDUALS.  When Sattva predominates these individuals are inspired & free. They have immense creativity and vitality. They are open-minded, communicators who are quick to understand. While they may not stay on any task too long, they are always receptive, sensitive, and artistic. They are best described as HAPPY.

RAJASIC VATA INDIVIDUALS. When a Vata person becomes rajasic they begin to feel physically cold. Fearful and anxious, their behavior becomes erratic and difficult to contain. They may have bursts of energy, but are then depleted. They will be active, always doing things and staying busy. As rajas increases they are prone to distraction, shame, and become extremely talkative. They may become noisy and dramatic. They are best described as RESTLESS. 

TAMASIC VATA INDIVIDUALS. When a Vata person becomes tamasic they begin to operate our of a space of fearful. They will becomes extremely erratic, and feel intense shame. These individuals are prone to sexual perversions and are easily addicted as they seek to escape the chaotic minds in which they live. As tamas increases they are prone to havoc, hurt, and may engage in cutting and other forms of self-harm. At their lowest point they are suicidal. 

PITTA PEOPLE...  

SATTVIC PITTA INDIVIDUALS. When a Pitta person is dominated with sattvic energy they are courageous, and unafraid to do the right thing. They will proceed with warmth and compassion. These individuals are natural leaders, who are extremely intelligent, disciplined, and perceptive. They have a friendly nature and a strong will. They are best described as JOYOUS.

RAJASIC PITTA INDIVIDUALS. When a Pitta person is dominated by rajasic energy they are angry and aggressive. If they cannot critique and evaluate others, they will be critical of themselves. Their controlling and judgmental nature makes them difficult to be around. They see themselves as "being right" and have challenges seeing other people's point of view. They want to fix systems and people. As rajas increases they increasingly blame others and allow their passion to drive themselves and others mad. They are best described as IRRITABLE.

TAMASIC PITTA. When a Pitta person is dominated by tamasic energy they begin to feel violent and destructive. They may be vile, harming of others, vindictive, and hostile. Tamasic pitta people make excellent criminal leaders as they want to lead others and are not afraid to hurt other people to get what they want. Hatefulness and revenge may overtake them. At their lowest point they are homicidal.  

KAPHA FOLKS...

SATTVIC KAPHA INDIVIDUALS. Individuals who are Kapha with a sattvic energy are full of love. They are loyal, supportive, and patient. They are pleasant to be around as they are steady, comforting, and extremely giving. These individuals are forgiving, caring, and willing to be a provider for those who need it. They are best described as FREE.

RAJASIC KAPHA INDIVIDUALS. When a Kapha person becomes rajasic their kind disposition gives way to possessiveness and greed. They become exceptionally materialistic; they love luxury but not the hard work that brings it. As rajas increases they become excessively attached (and even obsessed) with people, places and things. They may be hoarders or  emotionally manipulative through wealth. They will become co-dependent and have difficulty seeing their worth without others. They are best described as DISCONTENT.  

TAMASIC KAPHA INDIVIDUALS. When a kapha person becomes tamasic inertia and stagnation take hold. They may become depressed and insensitive to their own suffering. There will be no effort to change and they will not be able to see that change is needed. Hoarding may take over and become an obstruction in their life. They have memory of slights and abuses that inhibit them from seeing the love all around them. They have a tendency to be obese, and have low level addictions (to sugar in particular). At their lowest point they commit suicide through neglect. 

Well then!! Obviously the tamasic state creates a whole bunch of suffering for all of us!! Luckily, this isn't our personality, it is merely a transient form of energy that we are experiencing. We have a choice. We can continue to cultivate our current energetic state f it is satisfactory or we can actively cultivate a new energetic state.  

Tamasic people need to cultivate Rajas first. The Tamasic state has such low energy that it can be difficult to get going or to make positive change. Indeed, in the Tamasic state one will find things like gardening, calmly connecting with others and meditation to be exceedingly tedious. Indeed, a true Tamasic person would rather engage in self injury than settle into a peaceful state. If you find peace and ease to be annoying, you are probably in a Tamasic state. The first step is to cultivate Rajas.   

Rajas has the high energy needed to pull individuals out of tamas. Rajas is cultivated by eating fresh, spicy foods. Begin avoiding meat and add a green juice to your morning routine. Drink a cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. At work, contribute good, consistent work. Put effort into finding the thing that you want to contribute to the world. After work, take a vigorous walk, go to the gym or take a power yoga class. This will boost your energy. After dinner be sure to take in a film with lots of action or listen to music. Add triphala to your after dinner routine. Over a few months you will begin to feel some high energy. Remember that rajas energy is erratic (light on- light off) so your energy will not be consistent. At this time begin to cultivate sattva. 

Sattva is the energy you need to pull out your best qualities. In the morning get up with gratitude for your day. Spend a few minutes or more in meditation. Have a vegetarian breakfast that will sustain you for your service. On the way to work appreciate the plants and sky.  At work seek wisdom and engage in creativity. Spend time gardening, hiking, kayaking, meditating, chanting, and participating in your spiritual community. Eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. Remove all stimulants from your diet: coffee and alcohol.  A calm hatha yoga practice with breathing practices and meditation will help you sustain even energy that you can use to transform the world around you.  Avoid gossip and scandal mongering; instead focus on saying words that transform and inspire those around you. Encourage yourself and others. Find ways to give and cultivate selfless service.

You can easily achieve peace. Actually, it won't be easy. It will, however, be totally worth it. The world needs your energy, your gifts, your time. These are best found and offered in a sattvic state. Remove your bad habits one by one. Substitute positive habits for negative ones. Instead of saying " _uck that driver cut me off!" Substitute "That is an unwise driving move." Do not loose your peace of mind and do not give it away. You are a gift unparalleled; a diamond in the rough that is ready to be burnished with the discipline of yoga. 

Swami Satchidananda often compared the mind to a lake. When it is calm, the beauty and resources of our inner being are reflected on its brilliant surface. When the mind is agitated, however, the surface of that lake becomes choppy, distorting the calm and beauty that still lies underneath. For individuals who have suffered a traumatic experience the mind can become so disturbed that the surface of the water would look like it is in the relentless frenzy of an unending hurricane. In such a troubled mental state, the time-honored methods that sages throughout the world have proclaimed as essential to the achievement of equanimity may seem like nothing more than elaborate fairy tales.

Joan Harrigan, the spiritual director of Patanjali Kundalini Care in Knoxsville Tennessee, believes that traumatic encounters can create a sudden rise in "intense energy" or Kundalini. This powerful energy is usually unleashed after a prolonged period of spiritual practice that gradually prepares the individual to handle the experience. The practices of Yoga develop a disciplined mind that is able to direct the unleashed Kundalini towards the spiritual goal of enlightenment. Harrigan maintains that when an individual is not prepared through spiritual practices or is not in a devotional frame of mind at the time of a Kundalini rising (such as in a traumatic event) they are unable to handle the intensity of the experience. The result is a sense of extreme agitation and prolonged over-stimulation that can leave the person feeling lost, confused, tired and angry.

Harrigan advises that people who are experiencing the negative after-effects of trauma dedicate (or re-dedicate) themselves to the process of spiritual transformation. A spiritual orientation provides a framework that can calm the mind and restore hope, offering the individual ways to accept the challenges of dealing with a traumatic event. Harrigan maintains that it is faith in God that creates an environment where trauma can be seen as the needed catalyst to propel one towards a more fulfilling life. Because of the intensity of energy unleashed in the nervous system, Harrigan recommends that the physical body be cultivated through calming yoga postures, breathing practices, and the application of a moderate lifestyle. Rest, relaxation and moderation in all activities are strongly emphasized. Any rigorous or strenuous Yoga practices (either mental or physical) are to be avoided.

Dr. Lad, the director of the Ayurvedic Institute describes undigested traumas as non-healing ulcers that we carry in our sub-conscious mind. He compares the sub-conscious to the basement level of a house; It is where we put all the things we do not want to see. If the pain is too great and the subconscious begins to take up too much space, there is no room for consciousness or the outer mind. Our house," states Dr. Lad, "becomes a little nest on a much larger mess.

Dr. Lad maintains that it is in understanding our hurt and traumas that we begin to make room to truly experience our lives and ourselves. When we see "what is" in our past, but are not happy about it, we create a concept of what would be, could be and should be. In traumatic memories what is "is fear, anger, conflict, and betrayal." These emotions can be so strong that we cannot manipulate them into what "should be." What we are asking of individuals who have survived trauma is to relinquish their desire to have a past that is not horrific, a past that is not damaging.

Dr. David Frawley, author of Ayurveda and the Mind: the Healing of Consciousness, explains that our consciousness not only holds our memories of what actually happened, but our memories of what we feel to have happened in our hearts. He believes that it is important to not devalue these "false" memories as they are considered the history of the ego -  that part of ourselves that would prefer that only good things happen to us. 

What is being healed in trauma - whether on an individual basis or on a community level is that which cannot be seen. It is the delicate fabric of what makes us human: trust, faith, a sense of order, and an awareness of the uniqueness of our human life. Yoga suggests that suffering is not without cause or meaning - rather it is our impetus, or call, for radical change and a renewed attempt to spiritualize our lives.

Spirituality entails more than hearing someone else's ideas of what freedom and love are. It entails walking one's own path to self knowledge. It is this path that will lead each person to feel safe in opening not only to the pain of their past, but to the beauty and joy of the present. Individuals who have experienced severe trauma are often cut off from this experience, as they hold on to the past and resist the present. The Yogic perspective, while not a universal substitute for psychotherapy, can offer those who have experienced trauma or who have a loved one devastated by trauma, the tools to understand the path that person is walking. If the Yogic perspective on trauma does nothing more then inspires the student to the study of their own lives than the practice has contributed greatly to the healing of humankind.

​Once a month I receive an enthusiastic email or phone call from a student who has been searching for a yoga class that emphasizes self-awareness. They have been referred to yoga from their friends and care providers who assure them that they will have more energy, vitality and a deeper sense of calm. Finally, they’ve found a class that seems perfect for them! They sign-up and often pay, but as the weeks go by they can’t seem to make it to class. Something always gets in the way: work, family, relationships, walking the dog, taxes, cleaning the house, simply not enough time. I know these are the things that get in the way, as these obstacles are the same ones that I face each and every day when I settle down to my yoga practice.

The Taittiriya Upanishads, one of the classical texts upon which yoga is based, addressed the difficulty that each one of us faces in establishing time to cultivate self-awareness.  The authors believed that our fear of temporality is what holds up back from taking the time to nourish ourselves. They believed that when we finally do glimpse the reality that our body, quite definitely, will not last forever, it is the rare person who does not try to suppress, deny, or minimize fear.  This fear manifests itself as attempts to grasp or control life through work, achievements, sensory experiences (travel, films, etc) and the accumulation of stuff. Attempts at claiming a quieter life of reflection that would allow us to work with the basic questions of self awareness, are clouded with long “to-do” lists that supports the idea that one’s physical presence is wanted, important and in demand.
 
The difficulty with our enactment of fear is that it simply doesn’t feel good. We experience increased tension and stress that never seems to be alleviated no matter how much we achieve. Although it seems counter-intuitive the yogic solution to “not enough time” is to add more self-awareness practices; particularly the practice of yoga postures, or asana.  Āsana in its broadest therapeutic sense can be considered developing an individual’s right relationship to his or her body. From a Yogic perspective understanding what prevents us from taking the time to nourish ourselves is the first and central task because we often treat the world and everyone around us the same way we treat our body.

The next time you experience fear, whether it is in the form of needing to achieve, needing to feel connected, or the feeling of not having enough time – take a moment to engage in self-care. The Dalai Lama once said, “A half hour of meditation is indispensible every day, unless you are overwhelmed with the tasks and demands of work and family life. If you are overwhelmed, then two hours a day is the absolute minimum.” Take some time each day to nourish a connection with yourself: take a walk, a long bath, engage in a creative endeavor that you plan to never share (that’s just for yourself), or follow up on the commitment to take a regular yoga class.

You’ll find that each and every person in the yoga class has similar difficulty in making time for themselves. We are not as alone as we often think. A yoga community can also be important as people often share stories of the increased energy, vitality and feeling of being engaged and calm that comes from a committed practice of yoga. While the first few weeks it may seem like “one more thing,” over time it becomes a place in which you re-connect with what is most central to yourself, a time to explore how you feel, and a way to connect with your own wisdom, truth and sense of contentment.

The other day I was chatting with a few colleagues about the need for our entire organization to receive training on the "repetition compulsion." The illusive need to engage in the same behaviors, repeatedly, despite the sincere lack of satisfaction our actions generate! In yoga, the repetitive mind is often described as a “preoccupied.” Our minds return to the same topic time and time again, attempting to make sense of an experience, person or recent event; yet nothing seems to restore our natural sense of peace. Yogi’s say the mind is like a monkey, jumping from place to place, creating havoc. The mind is not, however, like any old monkey; it is like a drunken monkey which has been stung by a scorpion. Preoccupied with its own pain, it desperately seeks relief in endless actions. Yet each action pulls it further away from its own peace, exacerbating the sense of desperation and isolation it feels.  
 
We’ve all experienced a preoccupied mind at some point in our lives! The downside of such a mind is that it becomes impossible for us to orient towards that which brings peace. Even strategies we know bring us a feeling of wellbeing, such as eating well, spending time with loved ones and exercising, are cast aside. As we let these habits go, it is not surprising that our minds become even more preoccupied, leading to further disequilibrium and desperation. Ayurveda says the preoccupied mind falls into three general categories: vata, pitta and kapha.

Doshas Out of Balance
 
Vatas: Stress, fear and anxietyEnergy is high, but scattered.
Pittas: Anger, Energy is consumed in negativity and confusion (masked as “knowing” and expressed as critiquing).
Kaphas: Attachment and preoccupation with peopleEnergy level is stagnate, making change difficult.
 
 With our minds in a preoccupied state, we are weakened because we are no longer living in and responding to the present moment. As our minds wrestle with the future or the past, we become more susceptible to negative emotions, other people and the environment.
 
Luckily there is a “cure” for anger, hatred, fear, nervousness, worry, apathy, dullness, and finding inadequate time for peace, silence, or for heart-to-heart talks!  Participation in a healing community. Renewing the mind in silence, with one’s fellow seekers brings a sense of ease that enables us to stop relying on stimulation of movies, TV, sports, and other distractions. Instead we nourish ourselves with selfless service, meditation, yoga asanas and pranayama.   

Ayurveda sees all psychological problems as imbalances in the internal self. We forget that we are interwoven with the communities in which we participate! Each of us needs a supportive community as part of his or her healing path. As we open up to living in the present moment, free from a preoccupied mind, our natural equanimity begins to lead us. In Ayuveda each dosha has a natural talent:
 
Doshas in Balance  
 
Vatas: CreativeEnergy is high and focused on creating.
Pittas: IntelligentEnergy is passionate, intelligent and organized.
Kaphas: LovingEnergy level is full of compassion, love and care.
 
So the next time you find yourself separated from your loving, intelligent, creative self – take some time in community. Allow yourself to be nourished by those around you by serving, loving, and giving to one and all.
 
 TIPS & TOOLS FOR A CALM MIND WHILE LIVING ON PLANET EARTH            
        

1. Cultivate love, faith, and self inquiry.
   
   
2. Meditate on the Divine in a form dear to one's heart.  
   
   
3. Perform service to those in need. 
   
   
4. Rub sesame oil on the scalp and souls of the feet. 
   
   
5. Add a few drops of medicated ghee in the nostrils to soothe mental activity.
   
   
6. Use essential oils: Rose and lotus calm and nourish the heart; Jasmine cleanses the emotions and increases love and compassion; Gardenia purifies heart.

 
 
 

​One of the interesting things about living on planet earth is the surprising number of human beings who are, well, jerks. Jerks can teach us a lot about yoga and ourselves! Planet earth is abundant in jerks because so many folks feel unloved, uncared for and unable to connect; it's the perfect recipe for creating people who are crabby, short tempered, and prone to saying thoughtless and hurtful things. Indeed, it seems we must all protect ourselves from the occasional phenomenon of being hateful. What can we humans do?!

Luckily, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a 2nd century B.C.E. text offers a bit of advice on the social scene of our species. Yoga sutra 1:33 states,

By cultivating attitudes of friendliness towards the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous and disregard toward the wicked, the mind stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.

That's right! We don't have to invite jerks for tea, or take them out to lunch. To preserve our peace of mind we must disregard their behavior and cultivate compassion for the sadness that resides underneath their anger and bitterness. Disregarding the behavior of jerks doesn't mean we have to tolerate it without action. It does mean that we shouldn't get mentally caught in or stuck in improving their behavior, or even hoping it changes for the better.

Keep in mind that jerks help us to develop patience, perseverance, strength and gratitude. I've been working on boundaries lately and they give ample opportunity to practice setting boundaries as well. Think of jerks as your personal yoga trainers that are so dedicated they give you all their time for free. 

What I love about Patanjali is that he asks that we get our social house in order before he even introduces us to the practices of yoga postures, meditation, breathing practices or even deep relaxation. We all know why too! It's incredibly time consuming to have a life filled with angry folks and drama queens. It's hard to find the car keys, much less peace and equanimity with all the disruption of jerks!

You may be thinking, "Oh no! If I keep up with this yoga business, I'll have no friends at all!" Patanjali's counteroffer is delight and happiness. Delighting in the good fortune of others exponentially increases your own happiness.  

Happiness requires effort, steadiness and practice. It isn't an easy path. Wrong diet, challenging associations, and accumulated stress can sweep us off the path and we find ourselves once again struggling. Let's face it, it's easy to slide into an  unhealthy relationship with ourselves and the world around us. It's challenging to add daily practices that keep us motivated, healthy, calm and focused. 

Recover your identity as truth, knowledge and happiness! May you be grateful for the many jerks who are steadfast in their reminders that peace is no easy attainment. Next time you encounter a jerk, remember they're here to help you on your spiritual path! Give them a dose of gratitude, but don't invite them over for tea...it's just not a very yogic thing to do.
  
Pitta Jerks.  Are self-righteous, angry, & critical. If they don’t have someone to criticize they will criticize themselves.  They are prone to violence against others in word & deed.    
Bring them out to ice cream, make them a mint tea, tell them they are smart & then ask them out for swimming. They'll want to go out drinking, but convince them you want a relaxing movie instead. If you’re a pitta jerk, the yoga practice for you is meditation! Try not complaining for a day. You'll want to do something athletic, but push yourself to engage in calming activities, like bird watching.
 
Kapha Jerks. Are depressed, lethargic, greedy, burdened and have difficulty getting motivated to make any change. They are prone to inaction, leaving others to take care of their needs. Bring them out for a brisk walk, give them a glass of celery, beet, apple juice and tell them that they are loveable just like they are. They'll want cookies, cake and chocolate, but convince them they want to exercise with you. If you’re a kapha jerk the yoga practice for you is pranayama! Try a vigorous round of kapalabhati!!  You'll want to do something relaxing, but go kayaking instead.
 
Vata Jerks. Are hyper, have difficulty focusing, forget to eat, have high out of control emotions that fluctuate. They are prone to hurting themselves.Give them a long hug and tell them to take a hot bath. Make them a warm glass of vanilla saffron milk and them everything is okay. If you’re a vata jerk the yoga practice for you is chanting! Om shanti, om shanthi, om…You'll want to do everything while talking non-stop, but practice silence instead.