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.
स्मृति /smRiti - awareness.
In the ladder of evolution, the greater the awareness and sensitivity, the more evolved the being. Therefore, we see that plants are more aware than inert objects, animals more aware than plants and man much more aware than animals. The degree of awareness or sensitivity is, of course, affected by our inner qualities.
Sattvic; a sattvic person is a highly aware and sensitive being. They are aware of not just the body, but the mind; sensitive to the immediate surroundings but also to his or her relationship with the universe, God or the Totality. A sattvic awareness allows one to live in harmony with all, caring about others and serving all. This highly refined persona (संस्कृत पुरुष /samskrita purusha) is called a 'man-man', as the actions are humane. When a sattvika evolves to directly experience the Universal Truth, they are then called 'God-man'. Lord Jesus, Sri Buddha, Swami Vivekananda are all examples of God-men.
Rajasic; a rajasic person is most aware of himself and his own needs. Even when he is aware of the needs of others, he is too selfish to care and therefore does little for others. Such people feel that the whole world is meant only for their enjoyment. they believe that life is for the epicurean purpose of 'eat drink and be merry', and all their energies are spent in doing just that. Such a one is called विकृत् पुरुष /vikRit purusha, or animal-man, as the awareness level is limited.
Tamasic; a tamasic person is unaware even of his or herself, let alone others, and therefore has no idea or vision of the totality or their relationship with it. Therefore, there is little care beyond the basic creature comforts and survival. Such a person is called प्राकृत् पुरुष /praakRit purusha, or plant-man, as their awareness level is low.
स्मृति /smRiti - awareness.
In the ladder of evolution, the greater the awareness and sensitivity, the more evolved the being. Therefore, we see that plants are more aware than inert objects, animals more aware than plants and man much more aware than animals. The degree of awareness or sensitivity is, of course, affected by our inner qualities.
Sattvic; a sattvic person is a highly aware and sensitive being. They are aware of not just the body, but the mind; sensitive to the immediate surroundings but also to his or her relationship with the universe, God or the Totality. A sattvic awareness allows one to live in harmony with all, caring about others and serving all. This highly refined persona (संस्कृत पुरुष /samskrita purusha) is called a 'man-man', as the actions are humane. When a sattvika evolves to directly experience the Universal Truth, they are then called 'God-man'. Lord Jesus, Sri Buddha, Swami Vivekananda are all examples of God-men.
Rajasic; a rajasic person is most aware of himself and his own needs. Even when he is aware of the needs of others, he is too selfish to care and therefore does little for others. Such people feel that the whole world is meant only for their enjoyment. they believe that life is for the epicurean purpose of 'eat drink and be merry', and all their energies are spent in doing just that. Such a one is called विकृत् पुरुष /vikRit purusha, or animal-man, as the awareness level is limited.
Tamasic; a tamasic person is unaware even of his or herself, let alone others, and therefore has no idea or vision of the totality or their relationship with it. Therefore, there is little care beyond the basic creature comforts and survival. Such a person is called प्राकृत् पुरुष /praakRit purusha, or plant-man, as their awareness level is low.