Cultivating Sattva

Yesterday I bought a magazine called Tathaastu meaning "so be it". It contains the subjects I am fascinating with - ayurveda, herbs, vedic astrology and health spa. In it, an article on ayurveda focuses on the Five elements. Sattva is the quality which accompanies the ether or space element. Ether is the container of all the other four elements - air, fire, water and earth. Everything which exists is made up of all five elements in different and unique combinations.

My focus in life is to have a spiritual understanding in order to live a simple, joyful life. Spiritual life cannot be maintained without the cultivation of sattva or ether element. Sattva is clear, calm, pure, still and spacious. It is unconditional love as opposed to personal love. It does not cling to anything yet it allows everything to co-exist.

A person of sattvic nature possesses spaciousness in the body and mind and naturally gravitate toward cleanliness and non-clutter. The body is supple and at ease rather than hard and stiff. The mind is open to all possibilities rather than limited to a certain point of view. In order to cultivate sattva and live your most authentic self you can bring in ether element to your life.

1. Your foods should be light and not overly spiced. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the staples. Raw milk and sattvic herbs should be taken. Organic foods are sattvic. Frozen, canned and processed foods are tamasic which is the opposite of sattva. Only eat after you have fully digested your last meal. Eat a small portion at a time.

3. Your body should be cleansed regularly using only natural products that are sattvic such as plant-based products rather than animal by-products. The use of make up and perfumes covers you up. Let your natural beauty emanates. Regular exercises cleanse you of daily toxin and strengthen your bodily tissues. But competitions bring in stressful, rajasic qualities which reduces sattva.

3. Your living space should be clean and clear of clutters. It should have plenty of natural light. Its colors should be light and clear rather than muddy and opaque. Again, use natural products that are non-harmful to you and the environment.

4. Your relationship needs space. Cultivate acceptance and spaciousness in all of your relations especially the ones which you face daily. Trying to change another person is a good indication that you are lacking space. If you have determined that the relationship is toxic make a change within yourself. Either move on or embrace the person while creating a lot of space in between. Your life will not be better if the other person change his or her habits.

5. Your activities should be carefully chosen. Are you watching, reading, listening to subjects which promote sattva and spiritual life? Do they promote stillness and calmness or do they make you fearful, anxious or angry? Do they promote simplicity or do they make you want more material life?

Even though, we are born with a certain makeup of the five elements we can increase the ether element through our lifestyle and food choices. Of course, too much ether can also make you spacey. Balance is sattva. It is an art not a formula. You need clarity and space in order to create a well balanced inner and outer life.