APPENDIX 1

Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic Activities

T o determine which activities in your life fall into the categories of sattva, raja, or tamas energies (upward, horizontal, or downward energies respectively), take a look at the charts below. While I am sure you will think of other, related activities in these lists, be aware that some activities like yoga, exercise, the arts, and sexual activity can certainly be done in a tamas, raja, or a sattva state of mind; the choice is yours.

Sattva

Sattva activities uplift your spirit and realign you in a creative or inspirational way. They make you feel more centered, happy, creative, and closer to God.

Gardening	Attending inspirational seminars	Connecting with Nature	Keeping a personal or dream journal
Singing	Meditating	Camping or hiking	Massage
Dancing	Prayer	Tai chi	Reflexology
Painting	Healing of self	Qigong	Acupuncture
Drawing	Healing of others	Educational programs	Chiropractic
Pottery	Tithing	Learning	Making love
Poetry	Chanting	Inspirational books	Mystical pursuits
Writing	Attending church, temple, or mosque	Sweat lodge	Inspirational concerts
Carving	Weaving	Sacred ceremony	Inspirational plays
Sculpting	Music	Service to others	Inspirational movies
Jewelry-making	Composing	Unconditional love	Attitude of gratitude
Choreography	Teaching others	Nonjudgment	Loving your pets
Embroidery	Nature TV programs	Being a peacemaker	Helping animals
Decorating	Volunteering	Listening to others	Helping children
Cooking	Giving to charities	Creative play	Deep sharing

Raja

Raja activities support your physical, financial, or mental well-being. They primarily serve your physical survival in the world.

Eating and going out to eat	Exercising	Paying bills	Going to work
Shopping for necessities	Going to the doctor	Accounting	Cleaning house
Errands	Playing baseball	Business management	Getting your hair done
The post office	Playing football	Real estate	Putting on makeup
Shopping network	Playing basketball	Computer repair	Massage
Noncreative cooking	Playing soccer	Engineering	Pedicure
Physical sciences	Playing tennis	Mindless TV shows	Dressing
Most textiles	Bowling	“Wheel of Fortune”	Business communication
Machine work	Ping-pong	“Shark Tank”	Portfolio management
Car repair	Running	“Washington Journal”	Job-hunting
Most shopping	Free weights	“College Football”	Apartment-hunting
Daily chores	Going to the gym	“People’s Court”	Taxes

Tamas

Tamas energies drag us down and pull us out of our center, numbing us out and creating fear, worry, guilt, stress, anger, false pride, jealousy, addiction, sabotage, or shame. They are ego-driven activities that disconnect us from our higher Self.

Lying	Lust	Negative self-talk	Hunting or killing for sport or money
Cheating	Sexual aberrations	Holding on to fear	Killing for greed
Infidelity	Addictions	Shame or blame	Torturing animals
Thievery	Pornography	Guilt	Spousal abuse
Greed	Violence and aggression	Hating self	Child abuse
False pride	Hate rallies	Hating other	Verbal abuse of others
Arrogance	Bigotry	Self-sabotage	Physical abuse
Cursing	Objectifying the opposite sex	Anger	Blackmail
Vanity	Character defamation	Victim consciousness	Victimizer consciousness
Egoic ambition	War	Gossip	Swindling
Using others	Physical addictions	Horror movies	Fraud
Jealousy and spite	Ignorance	Mental addictions	Emotional addictions