Robyn E Lebron Attributes of Manifestation: The Nature of Nature The three expressions of consciousness underlie the definition of individual attributes of diverse beings in the universe All beings inherit a measure of change or activity and of changelessness or stability from the Absolute Diversity results from the particularities of the configuration of these powers in individual beings There are three possible arrangements of activity and stability inherited from the inseparable powers of change and constancy of the Absolute: Dominance of inactivity over activity: The expression of consciousness referred to as autonomous or unconscious above underlies this attribute This arrangement of activity and inactivity is termed tamas,(25) which in Sanskrit means mental darkness, ignorance, and gloom Activity is limited to the automatic or unconscious type as described above in this section While this attribute is the characteristic of the inanimate, when applied to an animate being it describes a state of inactivity like that of the inanimate, with no life force in it The word tamas denotes materiality and is described as the result of spiritual ignorance It results from ignorance and deludes all embodied beings It attaches them to inactivity, dullness, laziness, sloth, and sleep (26) Nothing seems to motivate a person when the mind identifies primarily with this attribute “Darkness, dullness, stagnation, Indolence, confusion, torpor, inertia: these appear when tamas is the ruling trait.” (27) Dominance of activity over inactivity: The manifestation of consciousness referred to as subconscious above underlies this attribute The dominance of this attribute over the others is what in modern terminology is known as the “fight or flight” mode of being (28) 78