Mind Your Manas

In Sanskrit, manas translates to, “mind”. The West often sees the mind and brain as interchange. Or, at least, believes the mind to be housed in the skull, protected by the cranial bones—which categorizes the mind as a strictly cognitive process.  In contrast, the Vedic Sciences (Ayurveda, Yoga, Tantra) have a more broad and interconnected view—the Ancients believe the mind is housed in the heart. This means that the root of our purest form of self, our emotional experience, and our life imprints (samskaras) are all anchored in the heart space. This is an incredibly powerful concept. The heart is connected to every cell in the body—fully integrating every tissue, every pulsation, every thought. Our heart is an energetic hub, permeating the entirety of our physical body. Ayurveda’s expanded view gives clarity & insight into the extraordinary mind-body connection, and the level of influence this connection has over our overall wellness. 

This past year has been HARD. Or has it been ten years? We can’t be sure. When life becomes stressful, our mind becomes a master trickster. In Ayurveda, our mental constitution (manas prakriti) is influenced by the interplay of three mind energies (maha gunas).

Sattva: incites clarity, compassion, wisdom, satisfaction, light, and harmony

Rajas: kindles movement, passion, creativity, and change

Tamas: accountable for rest, inertia, heaviness, sleep, stagnation, and decay

The maha gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas— are known to be the energies found in all aspects of nature, each having functional qualities necessary for our lives. However, when one (or more) of the gunas becomes excessive, it causes mental imbalances and disrupts our internal & emotional ecosystem. Most mental imbalances are attributed to excess tamas or rajas.

When rajas accumulates it can show up as perfectionism, restlessness, or obsession. You may begin feeling a sense of overwhelm, impatience, become critical or competitive—rajasic energy is often associated with a self-serving attitude. This type of imbalance often leads to exhaustion and anxiety. And we all know this is a difficult train to exit. 

Tamas’ nature is inertia, stagnation, and rest. These qualities aren’t inherently bad—we need all of them. However, in excess, tamas can lead to depression, fear and hopelessness. A lack of self-esteem, sadness, and lethargy can creep in, making it difficult to think positively or clearly. Sound familiar? It does to me. I’ve shaken hands with tamasic energy many times this past year. A slow, sad handshake. 

Sattva is the sweet spot. It’s that space where the mind quiets and expands beyond the constant stress, worry, or daily to-do list. It’s those moments that you feel happy & satisfied sitting in the present—you’re not restless & wishing you were elsewhere or giving into envy. You’re simply present, embracing your truth. It’s in this space that mental clarity arises, your inner wisdom and intuition make their appearance, genuine love for yourself and others emanates, and where you feel that ever elusive contentment. It’s in that calm space where we’re not reacting & denying, but witnessing & accepting our true self. I’m not making this up! I swear it’s possible. While sattva is the mind goal, it’s unrealistic (and an imbalance all it’s own) to assume we can permanently cultivate a purely sattvic state of mind. Nurturing the energies of sattva, however, will allow you to bring your mind back to a calm union with your pure self.  When you begin to become aware of patterns within of depletion or overwhelm, having access to tools for balancing the mind is powerful. Have I mentioned the side-effects are great?! Sound sleep, self-confidence, emotional stability, calm concentration, and healthy cravings are all at the top of the list. 

So, what does this all mean anyways? It means your actions and reactions are caused by your emotions, which are in a joined relationship with your life experiences/imprints (samskaras), which directly affect your mind (manas), that is housed in your heart. OK, cool. Sooo, what does that mean? It means, when you catch your mind doing double time on the hamster wheel, or overanalyzing a decision, or being critical, or feeling that tug of depression & lethargy…….it’s time to step away, take several slow breaths, and sit in your heart. The answers are already there. 

Sometimes diving into that deep vessel is hard. And scary. Did I mention scary? It can be dark down there—fear, guilt, and ridicule like to hide in the corners. What would happen if you talked to them? Sat with them? Held their hand and got to know them? Witnessed them? What I’ve discovered in my own dives, is once I remove the mask and take that face-first plunge, acceptance & love are down there waiting. With open arms. Flagging me in like a plane landing on the runway. Who, me? YES, YOU! Get in here for a hug. 

Manas. It’s been on my mind, in my heart—partially because it’s something I’ve been struggling with as of late, partially because I see & feel so many others’ struggling, and partially because I think it’s vital to tap into that love center in the middle of your chest. You know the one—that big ole’ radiating ball of light and fear and sadness and happiness and anger and love: your heart.

Mind your manas. Get out of you head, and into your heart.

So, what’s a gal to do? Here are a few practical tips for encouraging a balanced mind: 

~Surround yourself with lovely people 

~Eat fresh produce and whole grains 

~Avoid packaged or processed foods

~Be thoughtful with the sensory input (pancha indriya) you feed your body. What you read, watch, and listen to all have subtle effects on your mind. Be aware of the environment you’re cultivating, and find ways to encourage Sattva to join the party. 

~Get outside, and into nature! City parks count. 

~Yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation all form healthy mind pathways, and are game changers. Start with just a few minutes at a time upon waking and before sleep. 

**If you need support unpacking your emotional complexities, I strongly encourage seeking a qualified Mental Health Counselor. And then come home, feel your feet (or sacrum) planted on the ground, take several slow & full breaths, and give yourself a hug. You got this.