Evolution from spirit into matter

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

[QUOTE=Asuri;29283]
The Samkhya view of nature is different from modern science in that it deals with how we perceive the world, rather than with what the world is physically made of. [/QUOTE]

You have given a very good explanation. And your above quote is also correct. But there is a relation to how “we” perceive things to what the world is physically made of. The meeting ground is on the complexity of the information that is contained within various natural objects.

So the samkhya theories of evolution of nature (prakriti just means nature) have a scientific imprint, and should definitely be cross-validated with what modern science tells us through experimental observation.

There are two crucial numbers in Samkhya - 3 and 5. There are 3 gunas and there are 3 principal layers of existence. But these 3 layers contain two intermediate sheaths between them, counting which we have 5 layers of existence for natural objects. These 5 layers correspond indeed to 5 layers of complexity in how information is represented in this universe. These different evolutes of Prakriti that are first postulated by Samkhya find repeated mention in many Indian texts, including the Upanishads.

The 5 layers of existence are : inanimate matter (anna), matter with breath (prana), matter with mind (manasa), matter with understanding (vijnana or buddhi) and matter with ego (chitta or ahamkara). Simple examples of objects present in these 5 layers are rocks, plants, animals, humans (and may be, computers) and adult human beings respectively. When Purusha identifies himself with any of these 5 layers, he feels a pleasure that is proportional to the complexity of this layer. But each such pleasure is finite, and excess indulgence in any layer causes pain. Beyond all these layers is the true nature of Purusha that is bliss alone (ananda) which is infinite.

Any natural object or form can be given a number (should we call it the Kapila number :slight_smile: ) based on which layer it stands and the complexity of information represented in it. Thus, any finite object gets a finite number. The 3 gunas of samkhya can be understood as arithmetic operations that take a finite number as input and produce another finite number as output. On the axis of integers, there are simply 3 such operations : increasing (rajas), decreasing to a zero (sattwa) and staying the same (tamas). All of these operations are extremely counter-intuitve and have to be understood with respect to the Indian system of counting with zeros. A number has to put a zero in every decimal place-holder to advance to the next level.

Thus paradoxically, sattwa becomes the best bet for any finite object to reach towards infinity. That’s why liberation is sometimes written as nitya-sattwasta (eternal reduction to zero).

#22

vakibs,

I’ve answered your post in a separate thread. See Samkhya and Competing Systems.

#23

[quote=Asuri;29354]The facts are, that according to the Samkhya philosophy, which the original post asked about, Prakriti and all of its evolvents, are material in nature. For the practice of yoga as taught by Patanjali, it is important to understand this.

That which you call “ether”, is known in Samkhya as Akasa, and is considered to be one of the gross elements. Time and space are determinate forms of akasa.[/quote]

Hello again Asuri,

Because time and space are “determinate forms of akasa,” as you say, then they must precede it? This is the differentiation I was seeking. However, I would say further that dimension does not precede akasa and is not determinate of its forms, but rather they are simultaneous.

I have no desire to debate, but only to inquire further. The Samkyha picture is incomplete to me, but then, I don’t expect it to be either.

Thanks for the facts.

siva

#24

thank you for your post, It makes me think about yoga philisophy

#25

Wow! its all amazing…
I even can’t think of leaving reply…
Your thread make me to think over the yoga and it’s history…
And not only me but also to whom who will visit this thread…

#26

Once again, thank you everyone for your responses! I was indeed asking about Samkya philosophy (as I understand now :slight_smile: ). And yes, I did get a bit confused in referring to this system as evolution from spirit to matter. It is evolution/transformation of Prakriti from subtle to gross levels (with the help of Purusha). Or so I understand.

#27

When my Yoga Guru Unity had taken lecture on this topic, I literally felt perplexed and could not say anything. Than Unity had suggested me some good reference book which is explains everything from graphical perspective it really helps me to understand this philosophy.

#28

[QUOTE=Tanguerita;29075]

[U]evolution[/U] of spirit to matter, from subtle to gross (Prakriti - buddhi - ahamkara - all the way to the senses).

[/QUOTE]
To under stand this Let us go back to the beginning. In the beginning there was only the spirit in its pure form. There were no creation at all. Then came OM the first vibration of creation. This is the seed of prakriti.out of OM many other vibrations are born and manifested as prakruti. In prakriti(universe) Bodies are created. Here through the interaction of body and spirit Bhuddi or intellect is born. But when Spirit through intellect assumed it as an individual body the individual ego is born that is Ahamkara. Senses are created When spirit started expressing through Ahamkara. When the spirit trough ego and the ego through senses look at prakriti Duality is born. Which is also known as samsara. This is the one part of the story. This is where a common man stand.

When the Ego or wrong intellect is cleared with right knowledge the duality is destroyed and the man become god and enjoy the creation.He is now attained Nirvana - The purpose of life

I think that was helpful :slight_smile:

#29

Shivoham,
It’s quite useful, thanks for the description.

I understand only 20% of your description as it is difficult to understand as there are many words which are completely new to me (even for other members).

#30

Prakriti = Universe
Buddhi = Intellect
Ahamkara =Ego

To be honest I put it very strait n short. If explanation of certain part is needed pls ask

#31

Ok, now I understood is completely.