Yoga and Ayurveda by Frawley
“Yoga practice has 2 stages: the development of sattva and the transcendence of sattva. Development of sattva means purification of body and mind. Transcendence of sattva means going beyond the body and mind to our true Self beyond manifestation. The general rule is that if one has not developed Sattva, one cannot go beyond it. One should not forget this important rule. If we don’t have the appropriate sattva or purity in our body and mind, including in our emotions, it may be premature for us to seek any higher enlightenment. Development of sattva occurs through right diet, physical purification, control of the senses, control of the mind, mantra and devotion. Transcendence of sattva comes from higher meditation practices.
Sattva is also key to Ayurvedic healing. Ayurveda states that the sattvic body and mind are less likely to suffer from disease and more able to continue in a state of balance. Disease, particularly of a chronic nature, is a tamasic state. Tamas brings about the accumulation of toxins and waste materials on a physical level and of negative thoughts and emotions on a psychological level. Health is a sattvic state of balance and adaptation which prevents any excess from occurring. Rajas is the movement either from health to disease or disease to health depending on its direction and development. Acute diseases fall under rajas, which is pain.”
Yoga and Ayurveda by Frawley