"You expect me to explain everything right from the beginning? Right from kindergarten class?"~ Nisargadatta Maharaj
What is the work ethic of the zen master? How is he able to work so hard? How is he able to have such discipline? What motivates him?
The Three Gunas idea comes from Hinduism and more or less works out to something like this:
The three Gunas are: Tamas, Sattvas, Rajas.
In Tamasic energy, you've got sloth, muddiness, perversion, laziness....
In Rajasic energy you have passion, anger, urgency, restlessness.....
In Sattvic energy is the "between" or "just right" where you're not overly passionate, and you're not slothful.
Much like goldilocks....
Yes, in addition to disturbing the every day life of three bears, goldilocks also illustrated a Zen concept in typical Zen parable form. The best kind of energy is the "middle way" energy which is the most peaceful. Nothing that is sattvic in nature can be of any harm, while the tamas and rajas seek to reek all kinds of harm on us every day. However it's also important to note that this does not make them "bad" but merely part of the every day float of elements.
This is also called "dispassionate awareness" by Maharaj. And this concept of "Just right" comes up over and over again in any enlightenment doctrine that is worth its salt (or porridge).
After all, didn't the Buddha himself find enlightenment only after realizing the "middle way" between excess and self-denial? This concept is illustrated wonderfully in Herman Hesse's beautiful novel based on the Buddha's life called Siddhartha. It's a wonderful book that should be read by everybody, especially young men in search of purpose.
Frequently its in the energy known as love that this Sattva Guna truly flourishes. So the idea of being in a close relationship might be a divine mandate just as much as it is a societal expectation, and personal inclination.
"When you're warm, really warm, well you get things done, like they've never been done...."
~ John Lennon "Hold on"
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