Hari Om
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality and become more congruent within our personality.
We are reading the small booklet called "Not Too Loose, Not Too tight - Just right!" This is written by Swamini Vimalananda, and gives a very general overview of Vedanta for the beginner, with emphasis on the sattvic, rajasic and tamasic approaches to life. Remember, we are a mixture of all; use this as your mirror.
जीवनविधान /jiivanavidhaana - lifestyle
The lifestyle of a person reflects his inner qualities.
Sattvic; such a lifestyle is natural and elevating. those who adopt this lifestyle may follow the principle of simple living and high thinking. A prime example of this would be Mahatma Gandhi, who opted for third class travel so that he could see how the majority of Indians lived. He had a few, bare necessities and shunned luxury. Some others may have a hight standard of living but also enjoy high thinking. such people do not get attached to comforts and can live without them if required; like Sri Rama who, even though born a prince, could renounce it all on a matter of principle. Others have simple thinking and simple living. Many in rural India still lead a simple and pure life. They are cheerful, friendly, spontaneous and uncomplicated. A sattvic life is an inspired and inspiring one.
Rajasic; this lifestyle is quite an artificial one, as superficial or selfish thinking guides its high standard. The pace of life is fast and time flies in activity, pleasures and comforts. those belonging to this lifestyle strive hard to earn enough to maintain it. They are often in competition with others to acquire and enjoy... 'keeping up with the Jones'. As a result life can become complicated, the mind agitated and the body exhausted. A rajasic life is either mechanical and filled with drudgery and high pressure at work, or pleasure-seeking and selfish.
Tamasic; this refers to a self-destructive lifestyle that can also cause harm to others. Such people either live without thinking or resort to destructive thinking. They waste their time in unproductive occupations or self-destructive activities like addictions which often makes them paupers. Even if they gain financially, the wealth they amass through such activity which may not be the most ethical, is subsequently squandered in unhealthy ways. A tamasic life is uninspired and ignoble and those who adopt this lifestyle lose the wonderful opportunity of a human birth to uplift themselves.
जीवनविधान /jiivanavidhaana - lifestyle
The lifestyle of a person reflects his inner qualities.
Sattvic; such a lifestyle is natural and elevating. those who adopt this lifestyle may follow the principle of simple living and high thinking. A prime example of this would be Mahatma Gandhi, who opted for third class travel so that he could see how the majority of Indians lived. He had a few, bare necessities and shunned luxury. Some others may have a hight standard of living but also enjoy high thinking. such people do not get attached to comforts and can live without them if required; like Sri Rama who, even though born a prince, could renounce it all on a matter of principle. Others have simple thinking and simple living. Many in rural India still lead a simple and pure life. They are cheerful, friendly, spontaneous and uncomplicated. A sattvic life is an inspired and inspiring one.
Rajasic; this lifestyle is quite an artificial one, as superficial or selfish thinking guides its high standard. The pace of life is fast and time flies in activity, pleasures and comforts. those belonging to this lifestyle strive hard to earn enough to maintain it. They are often in competition with others to acquire and enjoy... 'keeping up with the Jones'. As a result life can become complicated, the mind agitated and the body exhausted. A rajasic life is either mechanical and filled with drudgery and high pressure at work, or pleasure-seeking and selfish.
Tamasic; this refers to a self-destructive lifestyle that can also cause harm to others. Such people either live without thinking or resort to destructive thinking. They waste their time in unproductive occupations or self-destructive activities like addictions which often makes them paupers. Even if they gain financially, the wealth they amass through such activity which may not be the most ethical, is subsequently squandered in unhealthy ways. A tamasic life is uninspired and ignoble and those who adopt this lifestyle lose the wonderful opportunity of a human birth to uplift themselves.