As the Universe is constituted by the three attributes or Gunas (Satwa, Rajas and Tamas) and is permeated by them, the first stage in spiritual practice is to put an end to the Tamo Guna, which is characterised by foolish obstinacy (moorkatwa). When filled with inertia of this guna, the person exhibits dull intelligence and is inclined to indulge in meaningless questioning and argumentativeness. Instead, study every issue deeply and then draw conclusions. Only then your experience will be rewarding. The Tamasic person is incapable of perceiving the truth and cannot realise the Divine. Such a person will be caught in the endless cycle of birth and death. Avoid endless verbal debate over every trivial matter. Such controversies result in only provoking bitterness, instead of harmony. It will not serve you to realise the truth.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 8, 1988.