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Yoga and Meditation
1.
SAMKHYA
Samkhya is the oldest of the orthodox philosophical systems in Hinduism. It espouses dualism between consciousness and matter by postulating two "irreducible, innate and independent realities 1) consciousness itself or Purusha 2) primordial materiality or Prakriti (creative agency or energy)." The unconscious primordial materiality, Prakriti consists of varying levels of three dispositions or categories of qualities: (gunas) activity (rajas), inactivity (tamas) and harmony (sattva). An imbalance in the intertwined relationship of these three dispositions causes the world to evolve from Prakriti. This evolution from Prakriti causes the creation of 23 constituents, including intellect (buddhi, mahat), ego (ahamkara) and mind (manas). Samkhya theorizes the existence of many living souls (Jeevatmas) who possess consciousness, but denies the existence of Ishvara (God).
Art & Science of Meditation
Samkhya holds that Purusha, the eternal pure consciousness, due to ignorance, identifies itself with products of Prakriti such as intellect (buddhi) and ego (ahamkara). This results in endless transmigration and suffering. However, once the realization arises that Purusha is distinct from Prakriti, the Self is no longer subject to transmigration and absolute freedom (kaivalya) arises.
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