Great explanation of the Rasas, Paulette. The art analogy is teasing my brain, which wants to draw a connection to the triad of Knowledge. The knower, the known and the act of knowing. Am I stretching (or confusing myself) to think that part of act of knowing is the rasas which flavor our experience - whether we are the artist or the viewer of the art. And that each time we create/view/read/listen etc., we may likely experience a different emotion or more or less of a particular emotion.
Such a great contemplation, Deb. I can’t say for certain if there is direct teaching to the connection you’re making in any texts. However, it’s all yoga, so I don’t think you’re “wrong”. Since, we are humans perceiving the world through our own darshana that is also impacted by external influences.
I’m also thinking of the recent full moon and the Nityas, the moon goddesses. Each full moon is the same, but each month as we look up into the night sky, in “awe”, “wonder”, what ever rasa is evoked, we the individual is different, so our experience is different.
Another idea is that the teachings are the teaching, and they’re alive. So who we are, how we evolve in awareness. So along way around, I say yes to your question.
I love that the Rasas give us, in true Tantric fashion, the gamut of emotions and the freedom for discovery. Guess that's why sometimes I look at my husband so lovingly and sometimes I want to scream at him - as you say, life is messy!
Ha ha, yes, Deb. In true Tantric fashion it brings the teachings right in the front door and into our daily lives, where we live and need the guidance most.
Paulette, Thanks for this traditional explanation of the Rasas. The key seems to be being present with whatever emotion arises rather than indulgently or withdrawing. That is an art to be learned over a lifetime!
You're so welcome, Sandra. And yes! It so is an art to be learned over a lifetime. I find it curious to see where I get drawn in and how quickly I can assess what's arising for me. Thanks for reading.
There’s an emotional theory with some traction in the psychology world that there are six basic emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust. It’s interesting how those do and don’t track onto the Rasas. If I’m reading both theories correctly (I’m not confident I am) in the “six basic emotions” theory, love, peace and awe don’t make the cut (meaning that they’re considered secondary rather than one of the basic building blocks). The Rasas seem to imagine that our spiritual sensibilities and emotional connection are fundamental to us. This feels more true to me. Thanks for sharing your learning with us!!
That's interesting, Dan. If we look at the Rasas from a humanistic point of view, I suppose that fits more with the emotional theory you're pointing to. I also know of a stream of Tantric yoga that tends more towards that, direction, leaving spirit out. I like to think of the Rasas in the realm of the true sense of psychology, psych - soul and ology - logos, the knowing of the soul. Which leans into our spiritual sensibilities as you say. Glad you enjoyed the post.
I'm still getting to know myself at the age of 61. My most recent awakening was that I don't enjoy cooking. I do it for healthy living, but since I gave up wine, cooking drains me and is just another task on my list.
I find it fascinating that getting to know ourselves is a journey that we are unaware we're on. Now that I know, I look at myself differently. Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Paulette.
Great explanation of the Rasas, Paulette. The art analogy is teasing my brain, which wants to draw a connection to the triad of Knowledge. The knower, the known and the act of knowing. Am I stretching (or confusing myself) to think that part of act of knowing is the rasas which flavor our experience - whether we are the artist or the viewer of the art. And that each time we create/view/read/listen etc., we may likely experience a different emotion or more or less of a particular emotion.
Such a great contemplation, Deb. I can’t say for certain if there is direct teaching to the connection you’re making in any texts. However, it’s all yoga, so I don’t think you’re “wrong”. Since, we are humans perceiving the world through our own darshana that is also impacted by external influences.
I’m also thinking of the recent full moon and the Nityas, the moon goddesses. Each full moon is the same, but each month as we look up into the night sky, in “awe”, “wonder”, what ever rasa is evoked, we the individual is different, so our experience is different.
Another idea is that the teachings are the teaching, and they’re alive. So who we are, how we evolve in awareness. So along way around, I say yes to your question.
I love that the Rasas give us, in true Tantric fashion, the gamut of emotions and the freedom for discovery. Guess that's why sometimes I look at my husband so lovingly and sometimes I want to scream at him - as you say, life is messy!
Ha ha, yes, Deb. In true Tantric fashion it brings the teachings right in the front door and into our daily lives, where we live and need the guidance most.
Paulette, Thanks for this traditional explanation of the Rasas. The key seems to be being present with whatever emotion arises rather than indulgently or withdrawing. That is an art to be learned over a lifetime!
You're so welcome, Sandra. And yes! It so is an art to be learned over a lifetime. I find it curious to see where I get drawn in and how quickly I can assess what's arising for me. Thanks for reading.
There’s an emotional theory with some traction in the psychology world that there are six basic emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust. It’s interesting how those do and don’t track onto the Rasas. If I’m reading both theories correctly (I’m not confident I am) in the “six basic emotions” theory, love, peace and awe don’t make the cut (meaning that they’re considered secondary rather than one of the basic building blocks). The Rasas seem to imagine that our spiritual sensibilities and emotional connection are fundamental to us. This feels more true to me. Thanks for sharing your learning with us!!
That's interesting, Dan. If we look at the Rasas from a humanistic point of view, I suppose that fits more with the emotional theory you're pointing to. I also know of a stream of Tantric yoga that tends more towards that, direction, leaving spirit out. I like to think of the Rasas in the realm of the true sense of psychology, psych - soul and ology - logos, the knowing of the soul. Which leans into our spiritual sensibilities as you say. Glad you enjoyed the post.
I'm still getting to know myself at the age of 61. My most recent awakening was that I don't enjoy cooking. I do it for healthy living, but since I gave up wine, cooking drains me and is just another task on my list.
I find it fascinating that getting to know ourselves is a journey that we are unaware we're on. Now that I know, I look at myself differently. Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Paulette.
You're welcome, I'm happy it resonated. So true, Ilona, this getting to know ourselves is a fascinating, never ending journey.
Interesting, look forward to learning more. 💙💙💙
Thank you, Sue.