The Meaning of Sattva: Anand Mehrotra's Perspective on the Qualities of Consciousness

According to Anand Mehrotra, the founder of the Sattva Yoga Academy, the concept of Sattva lies at the heart of his approach to yoga and spirituality. Sattva refers to the quality of consciousness that is pure, balanced, and harmonious. Mehrotra believes that by cultivating this quality of consciousness, we can achieve greater inner peace, spiritual awakening, and connection with the divine.

At its core, Sattva is a Sanskrit term that refers to the quality of lightness, clarity, and purity. In the context of yoga, Sattva is one of the three guans, or qualities of nature, along with rajas (activity) and tamas (inertia). Mehrotra believes that these guans influence our thoughts, emotions, and behavior, and that by cultivating Sattva, we can achieve a state of inner balance and harmony.

For Mehrotra, Sattva is not just a theoretical concept, but a practical state of being that can be cultivated through yoga practice. Through physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and other practices, we can purify our bodies and minds, balance our emotions, and connect with the state of pure consciousness that is Sattva.

Mehrotra sees Sattva as a quality that is present within all of us, but which can become obscured by the stresses, anxieties, and distractions of modern life. He believes that by cultivating Sattva, we can remove these obstacles and connect with our true nature as beings of pure consciousness.

One of the key ways that Mehrotra teaches his students to cultivate Sattva is through the practice of meditation. He teaches a variety of meditation techniques, including mantra meditation, chakra meditation, and mindfulness meditation, all of which are designed to quiet the mind and cultivate inner stillness. Through these practices, practitioners can connect with the state of pure consciousness that is Sattva, and experience greater peace, clarity, and joy.

Another important aspect of cultivating Sattva, according to Mehrotra, is to live in harmony with nature. He believes that our modern lifestyles have become disconnected from the natural world, and that this has contributed to many of the problems we face today, from environmental degradation to social unrest. By reconnecting with nature, practicing sustainability, and living in harmony with the rhythms of the natural world, we can cultivate a deeper sense of inner balance and harmony.

Overall, the concept of Sattva is central to Anand Mehrotra approach to yoga and spirituality. By cultivating this quality of consciousness, we can achieve greater inner peace, spiritual awakening, and connection with the divine. Through practices such as meditation, living in harmony with nature, and purifying our bodies and minds, we can cultivate Sattva and experience the profound benefits that come with it.