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Three Modes of Material Nature

Three Modes of Material Nature

Date: 2013-06-20
One of the most fascinating conversations I had was with a holy man who was pure and well versed in the ancient texts of India, known as the Vedas. He told me how the Vedas describe this material energy of physical and mental variety as having three dominant modes; goodness, passion and ignorance. Just as there are three primary colours that when mixed in different combinations form the whole colour spectrum, so these three modes of nature are combined in a myriad of combinations and result in the varieties of consciousness of the living beings. The pure spiritual beings are conditioned by the material energy under these three modes. Just as white light changes colour when passing through a piece of coloured glass so the pure soul is induced to act by the material modes.

The mode of goodness is pure, sinless and illuminated with knowledge. The affect it has is to condition the soul with a false sense of happiness in this world. Characterised by unlimited desires and longings the mode of passion conditions the soul to endeavor feverishly for material accomplishments and sensual enjoyment. The mode of ignorance binds the soul through sleep, laziness and madness. It is just the opposite of goodness and those in this condition are reluctant to try for any spiritual understanding.

To cultivate our innate pure consciousness is the essence of yoga, by which one gradually rises above the two lower modes and eventually transcends even the mode of goodness. Yoga means connection so when the individual soul is united with its source, the Supreme Soul, it rids itself of the influence of the three modes of material nature. As the Vedas state "when the mind is freed from the fuel of the modes of nature, the fire of material existence is extinguished."