The Universal Constituents
All experience is based on this duality between the conscious subject and the active curves of nature. Consciousness needs something to be conscious of and matter needs to be experienced. The pulsation of cosmic Prana causes Consciousness to break up into the three universal qualities or Gunas, which pervade all creation — Sattva, Rajas, Tamas. These three aspects combine in variable proportions to create manifest marvels. They are the causal form of nature that influence both our mind and our bodies. Although Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are each present to some degree in every object of creation, some objects arise primarily from Sattva and some primarily from Tamas. Rajas is the energy that is the momentum of creation. Attention is a combination of Sattva and the flow of Rajas. Through Rajas Consciousness becomes matter. Without Tamas, there is no experience. Sattva is the observer; Rajas is observation and Tamas is the object being observed.
Sattva is potential energy, stability, purity, wakefulness, essence, spiritual purpose, clarity and light. Visualize sunrise over a calm, clean lake with no waves or disturbance. It is described by the Sanskrit word Jnanashakti, which means the energy of cognition, the motive for perception. Jnana means perception, knowledge, cognition, intelligence. There is balance, equality and stability here. It is light, or Laghu and luminous and holds the capacity for happiness. On the individual level, Sattva is perception, which becomes the process of attention. It is creative and potential energy that is connected to the Ether, Fire and Water elements. On the universal level it is vast, clear space and on the individual level is the knower.
Rajas is kinetic energy, dynamic movement and causes sensations, feelings and emotions. Visualize a lake with waves splashing. It generates activity, change and disturbance. It is mobile (Cala) and excitable. Rajas is the principle of movement and perception, which becomes the process of attention. Rajas is described as Kriyashakti, the energy of observation. Kriya means action, creativity. It is the active vital force which moves to Sattva to create the organic universe, the world of sensory perception. It is the motivator and expressor. It has a centrifugal force which causes distribution and disintegration. Sattva and Tamas are inactive energies that require the active, kinetic force of Rajas. Rajas is connected to the Air and Fire elements. On the universal level it is atmosphere and on the individual level is the movement of perception.
Tamas is stagnant energy, tendency towards inertia, darkness, ignorance, heaviness and confusion. Visualize a murky lake with no clear reflection. It is the immobile, still and stuck quality. It is heavy and causes obstruction or lack of perception. It moves downwards and is responsible for degeneration. It brings sleep and inaction. Tamas is described as Dravyashakti, which is material matter, the observed. Through the force of Tamas, there is delusion and confusion. To perceive this negatively is misinterpretation of its role. The five elements are born in the womb of Tamas but contain all three Gunas. Tamas is connected to the Water and Earth elements. On the universal level it is solid substance and on the individual level it is the precipitation of perception.
The Gunas exist for a single purpose, liberation or Moksha, the ultimate goal of all conscious existence. The fact they possess contradictory properties does not give any one quality priority over another. They are one force, with different aspects unfolding to be mutually supportive and productive. They help each other, hold each other accountable by maintaining, encouraging or restraining. You wake in the morning because of Sattva, you plan for the entire day because of Rajas and in the evening after a big dinner you feel heavy, dull and sleepiness from Tamas. Their varied proportions explain the variety of nature.
As a result of the three universal qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, the five sensory pathways or Jnanendriya, the five motor pathways or Karmendriya and the mind are differentiated as part of the organic universe. The objects of sensory perception or Tanmatras, and the five elements - Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth are differentiated as part of the inorganic universe. The Tanmatras are the qualities or Gunas of the elements: sound or Shabda, touch or Sparsha, form or Rupa, taste or Rasa, and smell or Gandha. Even the Tanmatras contain all three Gunas and though they derive from Tamas, there are some Rajasic and Sattvic qualities in the Tanmatras and therefore in the elements.
