In daily life, we often experience moments of heaviness laziness, dullness, oversleeping, lack of motivation, or mental confusion. In yogic philosophy, these states are linked to Tamas Guna, the quality of inertia and darkness.
In nature, everything has two aspects. If there is motion in an object, rigidity is also a part of its nature. The states of motionlessness, rigidity, and inertia exist because of Tamo Guna in nature.
Understanding Tamas Guna helps us recognise why we feel stuck at times and how we can gently move towards balance.
Tamas (Tamo Guna)
Tamo, derived from the root word “Tama,” represents darkness, and Guna means quality. Tamo Guna is one of the fundamental qualities of nature from which everything has emerged.
In nature, it exists in combination with the other two Gunas as Trigunas and helps form matter, inertia, and the static energy of objects. It is commonly called Tamas, and an excess of Tamo Guna in a person is regarded as a tamasic personality.
A tamasic personality refers to those qualities in a person that lead to carelessness, recklessness, overthinking, and overindulgence. The qualities of Tamas Guna arise from negligence, delusion, and ignorance.
However, it cannot be said that Tamas is only a sign of negativity.
Among the three building blocks that constitute Manas (the mind), Tamo Guna combines with Rajas and Sattva Guna to help manifest everything in its gross or clear form. The aspect of nature that brings stability and a complete sense of rest or relaxation for a while is also a part of Tamo Guna.
How to Identify the dominance of tamas
To recognise Tamas Guna, one needs to analyse oneself. Observe your activities, reactions, and thought processes in different situations and at different times of the day. You will then find when Tamas Guna is dominant in your nature.
The following characteristics are commonly seen when Tamas Guna is dominant:
1. Careless and unbalanced
A tamasic person neither cares about themselves nor about others. They do not pay attention to what they are doing or how they are performing an action. As a result, they become unbalanced, both in daily routine and at work.
2. Lazy and Dull
Tamas Guna increases rigidity and inertia in a person, making them lazy and dull. They constantly desire sleep and rest. When it comes to work, they become moody. Whether the work is important or not, they do it only when they feel like it.
On the other hand, they often crave sensual pleasures and are active mainly in matters of lust or when their desires are fulfilled.
3. Confused
The dominance of Tamas Guna increases ignorance. A tamasic person is unable to understand what is good or bad for them. In this state, the mind becomes confused while making decisions. Therefore, tamasic people often feel puzzled and uncertain.
4. Loneliness loving and disconnected
An increase in Tamas Guna can increase ego. Tamasic people may consider themselves superior and avoid the company of others. This leads to disconnection and a sense of loneliness.
5. Full of anger
The dominance of Tamas Guna brings out the darker side of a person. It can cause intense anger and promote destructive actions.
When a person is overwhelmed by anger, nothing else seems to matter, and they may act in harmful or destructive ways.
6. Irregular diet
Tamasic people are often fond of junk food. They may prefer alcohol, eggs, red meat, and dry or tasteless foods, and usually show less interest in fresh, home-cooked meals.
Note: Naturally, Tamas Guna, along with the other two Gunas (Rajas and Sattva), is present in all of us. These characteristics become clearly visible only when Tamas Guna is dominant.
Positive aspects of tamas guna
Based on the characteristics described above, it may seem that there is no need for Tamas Guna in a person. However, Tamas Guna is also essential in certain aspects of life.
1. Relaxation
At some moments in life, we need a break from all activities. We need moments of silence with ourselves. Similarly, after a day’s work, we need sleep to relax and recharge the body.
Tamas Guna is responsible for sleep and rest. Without this Guna, a person would remain restless and unsettled.
2. Grounded and stable
To practise yoga, a person needs to be stable and grounded. Tamas Guna within helps maintain grounding and stability during yogic practices. In cases of an imbalanced root chakra, Tamas Guna is often encouraged.
It is an important element in the spiritual journey. Without Tamas Guna, a yogi cannot progress further in spirituality.
Types of Tamas
The tamasic type of personality can be classified into three types:
1. Pasava (Sharing traits of animal)
- Aggressive or forbidding nature
- Lack of intelligence
- Excessive sexual desires
- Excessive sleep and lack of discipline
2. Matsya (Sharing traits of fish)
- Cowardly and timid nature
- Lack of intelligence
- Greed for food
- Strong desire for water
- Constant anger
3. Vanaspatya (Sharing traits of vegetable life)
- Laziness
- Low intelligence
- Constant hunger and overeating
- Dependence on groups
How to reduce excess tamas guna
In the beginning, there was nothing, nothing but the silence of infinite darkness. Then came the light!
Book of Genesis
To escape darkness, one needs to make an effort that brings light. Light represents motion and is the opposite of darkness (or Tamas Guna).
Including the following yogic practices and lifestyle changes can help reduce excess Tamas Guna and balance its proportion among the three Gunas.
1. By Adding vinyasa in asana practice
To reduce Tamas, add more movement to your practice.
Yoga asanas are invigorating and bring motion to the still body. Vinyasa adds a greater range of movement to asanas, which removes rigidity and encourages activity.
The following asana strategies help reduce Tamas Guna:
- Hold poses for a shorter duration and include more Vinyasa flow in your practice.
- The Sun Salutation sequence works well when Tamas Guna is increased.
- Forward bends are generally more relaxing than backbends. If you feel lazy or dull, practise more backbends such as Bow Pose and Bridge Pose.
- Minimise the time spent in Shavasana or Balasana during a yoga sequence.
2. By regulating breathe through pranayama
Pranayama vitalizes energy in the form of Prana (life force) in every cell of the body. After performing Pranayama, you will better aware of your actions, your thoughts, and eventually, that will reduce anger, which is a common characteristic of Tamas Guna’s dominance.
3. Adopting moving meditation techniques
Tamo Guna is necessary to enter meditation, but excess Tamas can lead to unintended sleep during practice.
Meditation techniques that involve gentle movement help reduce the effects of excess Tamas Guna. Examples include walking meditation, moving meditation, and practising mindfulness while doing daily tasks or household chores.
4. Avoid oversleeping or sitting for long hours
Proper sleep is essential for good health. However, excessive sleep makes the body lazy and sluggish, increasing Tamas Guna.
Similarly, sitting in one place for long hours can also increase Tamas Guna. Taking short breaks and stretching the spine helps prevent drowsiness and stiffness during work.
5. Change modes of entertainment
Nowadays, much time is spent in front of TVs, laptops, and video games in the name of entertainment. This reduces physical activity and increases laziness (Tamas Guna).
Instead of passive entertainment, engage in sports or other physical activities. This gradually reduces laziness and excess Tamas.
6. Change your diet
The food affects health, the way you behave, and is responsible for your energy level. So it’s called,
You are what you eat.
Tamasic food increases Tamas Guna. This includes red meat, eggs, alcohol, and other heavy or offensive foods. Any food that is overeaten, stale, or leftover also becomes tamasic.
Such foods promote anger, fatigue, and low immunity. According to Ayurveda, tamasic food is not beneficial for physical or mental health.
Tamasic food drains prana and fills the body with negative energy. Avoid these foods and choose sattvic foods that are mild, fresh, natural, and nutritious.
7. Spend time with nature
Nature is a source of energy and healing. Take breaks from daily routines and spend time in natural surroundings. Nature helps restore balance and vitality.
Conclusion
A balanced proportion of all three Gunas is essential for developing a positive attitude and a healthy personality.
Tamas is a quality of stability and groundedness, but when it becomes excessive, it can negatively affect one’s personality. With a little determination and self-awareness, you can work on tamasic tendencies and reduce excess Tamas Guna.
