In Search of Happiness
Explanation of the 3 Gunas
Sattva
"Sattvic happiness arise from the discipline of the mind and the senses."
"That which in the beginning feels like poison, but in the end tastes like nectar;
that happiness, born out of tranquility of your own mind,
is declared to be sattvic." pg. 14, The Yoga of Discipline
Rajas
this happiness comes from "the contact of the senses with their objects." Of course, in the beginning, it feels like real happiness. However, as long as it is conditional, and dependent on outside objects that give pleasure to the senses, then it does lead to disappointment or disillusionment. And inevitably, it will come to an end. Indulging your senses can never bring you to ultimate happiness.
"That which, through the contact of the senses with their objects,
is like nectar in the beginning,
and like poison at the end;
that happiness is said to be rajasic." - Pg. 11, The Yoga Discipline, Lord Krishna
"If sense pleasures are given full rein, they burn the field of religious duty and enjoy a feast of sensual indulgence.
There is a poison which by name is sweet, but which proves deadly in its effects." pg. 13, The Yoga of Disclipine; Jnaneshwar Maharaj
Ragas or Activity
"That which, through the contact of the senses with their objects,
is like nectar in the beginning,
and like poison at the end;
that happiness is said to be rajasic."
Tamas
Sattva or Light
Sattva or Light
"That which in the beginning feels like poison,
but in the end tastes like nectar;
That happiness, born out of the tranquillity of your own mind,
is declared to be sattvic."
Tamas or Darkness
Tamasic happiness thrives on sarcasm, scandal, murder, bad-mouthing, smearing other people's reputations, provoking them, and destroying their good work...It is a wretched happiness. It is the lowest brand of pleasure and sensationalism, and a perverse, twisted version of reality."
Tamasic happiness is the darkest form of happiness. It's source is impure.
Tamasic happiness is born out of delusion, and therefore, its only source of joy is devastation, castastrophe. Then tamasic happiness rejoices. Fiasco - tamasic happiness is in love with it! Inflicting pain and suffering, garbling the truth, gloating over the troubles and failures of others - all this is tamasic happiness. It is a wretched happiness. It is the lowest brand of pleasure and sensationalism, and a perverse, twisted version of reality. Leading others astray, denying the existence of God, hiding from the light, and befriending the destructive and the deluded - these are all sources of tamasic happiness, the dark quality. Really dark, pitch black." Pg. 10, The Yoga of Discipline.