Vedic Concept of Personality
Personality generally refers to the total behavior of the individual, but particularly to the relatively enduring and consistent aspect of our Self.
Personality refers to a number of factors like –
- The way you look; The way you dress;
- The way you talk; The way you listen;
- The way you act; Your habits;
- Your philosophy of life;
- Your resourcefulness;
- Your willingness to help others etc.
The Vedanta concept of personality development is based on the concept of perfection of each person and self-development for realization of our actual-self. According to Vedanta, well-integrated personality is the sum total of harmonious expression of following five dimensions. These are:
1. Physical self,
2. Energy self,
3. Intellectual self,
4. Mental self, and
5. Blissful self.
Physical self relates to our senses. Proper nourishment and growth of physical faculties is essential by way of balanced diet, recreation, music, and care and concern from near and dear ones. However, discretion and discrimination are the key words in this regard. Otherwise, there is every chance that senses would create havoc by way of infatuation and attachment to the sense objects.
Energy self is somewhat subtler than the first. It relates to metabolism and the gross manifestations of energy (Prana), for instance the act of breathing. The control of Prana is achieved by control of anger, anxiety, and restlessness.
Intellectual self is concerned with our discriminative power and knowledge (buddhi). In addition to sincere and formal studies, reading other books like biographies of great and noble persons and invigorating literature helps us develop this faculty.
Mental self is related to stress and psychology. Here selflessness, control, concentration, and calmness of mind plays essential role.
Blissful self is the function of state of being. It calls for remaining calm and unaffected in all the goings-on of world, in neck break competition and struggle, in calamities and disasters, in suffering and loss, in failure and success.
What is RST Personality Quotient?
The Rajasic–Sattvic-Tamasic Personality Quotient helps in achieving greater self-awareness, better self-management and striving for self-development based on the Vedanta concept of personality development.
The Rajasic–Sattvic-Tamasic Personality Quotient is developed by Satish Modh, Ph.D., so that the theory of GUNA as explained by
The Gita’s wisdom is not for dry intellectual gymnastics but rather to show a man or woman living in the world – how to live a balanced life. There are various interpretations of Gita. The material interpretation pertains to the physical and social duties and well-being of man. The psychological interpretation deals with sensory and life-energy principles that influence the formation of habits, inclinations, and desires. Finally, the spiritual interpretation is from the perspective of the divine nature and self-realization. The material and psychological aspect has been interwoven to stress the need for practical application of the Gita’s wisdom in all phases of life.
In Bhagavad Gita the background of a battle has been used for the purpose of illustrating the spiritual and psychological battle going on between the “pure discriminating intellect” and the “sense-conscious mind”.
Discriminative psychological powers (positive aspect of mind) are:
- Internal: Calmness, Life-force control and Self-control
- External: Adherence to good rules, and Power to resist malice
- The power of desires – sense tendencies
- The attachment of desires – desire to give psychological battle
The Gita talks about innumerable forces of negative and positive tendencies (Gunas) within us, which influence our thoughts and actions. We constantly work under such influences and go through various physical, emotional and intellectual experiences. The quality and quantity of these experiences determines our personality, pattern of behaviors and conduct.
The term Guna indicates not the properties of a material but the ‘attitude’
- Sattva: The Positive attribute, influences toward good – truth, purity, spirituality
- Tamas: The Negative attribute, influences towards bad habits – untruth, inertia, ignorance
- Rajas: The Neutral attribute, the activating quality - passion, creates constant activity and motion. Either works with Sattva to suppress Tamas or on Tamas to suppress Sattva. Strives to influence the ever-changing character of the world
These are variously called attributes, or constituents or elements or qualities or principles, which underlie our every day actions.
Benefit of knowing one’s Guna composition
Knowledge of our Guna composition provides us the capacity of detecting within ourselves the most powerful tendency that rises up to rule our mental life at any given moment. A true and exhaustive knowledge of the composition of Gunas will make an individual aware of the actions/reactions of the mind and meet her/his subjective problems efficiently whenever they arise.
Self evaluation is easier said than done
The three Gunas function within each one of us, and therefore, we must know the art of subjectively diagnosing them. Diagnosis can be accomplished through the observation of self. But unbiased self evaluation process is difficult.
The RST Personality Quotient
The RST Personality Quotient is designed to help you understand your Guna composition. This knowledge would be useful in identifying your strengths and potential areas for growth. It will also help you to better understand and appreciate others around you. This will result into improved personal and organizational environment, better efficiency and greater effectiveness. The RST Personality Quotient provides:
- A framework for assessment of your Guna Composition,
- Help in greater self-awareness and
- Help in better self-management.
The RST Personality Quotient can be used in:
- Self-development
- Career development
- Improving inter-personal relationship
- Coming together and working together
- Realizing your leadership potential
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