Triguna- An Indian Concept in Psychotherapy

Abstract

The present paper tries to see the Triguna in the light of psychotherapy. Indian philosophy deals with the source of human suffering which is ignorance of the ultimate reality by applying psychology within the philosophical context since the Vedic period. Triguna theory may be considered a powerful theory of personality from the Indian point of view. Triguna may account for inter-individual and intra-individual differences among human beings and these three gunas are the basic structure of the individual’s personality. These three gunas are presented but in varied proportions and their predominance changes from time to time and situation to situation. These three constituents, the roots of all the changes, and the foundation of reality do not work alone. Three stages of individuals’ growth are seen according to the predominance of one of these three gunas. Triguna theory not only speaks of transformation but also suggests ways and techniques to bring this transformation. Shrimad Bhagwat Gita and its various commentaries provide a very lucid description of Triguna as well as it acknowledges the need for individualized interpretation depending upon the mental tendency and level of the individual and provides the ways for prevention as well as coping with distress.