Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Sattva
The clearest of the three Gunas: pure, subtle essence, accompanied by peace and balance.
Meaning
What Sattva Means
Sattva is one of the three Gunas, the conditions of matter in yogic philosophy, alongside Rajas and Tamas. It is subtle, sublime, clear, neutral and pure, the guna of pure essence, sometimes translated as saintliness.
The Sattvic state of mind is accompanied by peace and prosperity: understanding, clarity and balance, in contrast to the sloth of Tamas or the restlessness of Rajas.
In Practice
How It’s Used
Among the three functional minds, Sattva rules the Neutral Mind, which is developed through Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi among Patanjali's Eight Limbs.
In yoga postures, Sattva shows up as the balance between firmness and relaxation, the equilibrium that forms when the physical and mental aspects of a posture meet without the restlessness of Rajas or the inertia of Tamas.
