Samkhya: School of Dualism

Studying spiritual text and self-study, or Svadhyaya, is one of the three Niyamas of Kriya Yoga. The other two are Tapah, to control desires and Isvara Pranidhana, surrendering to the Supreme, and not in that order.

When beginning to deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, perhaps you were called to read The Yoga Sutras or Bhagavad Gita. What I didn’t know the first time I began to study these scriptures, was the importance of Samkhya and the concept of dualism. We had quickly reviewed it during my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training but after a deeper dive with Prema Yoga Institute during Yoga Therapy Training I came to understand how it linked to Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta. With still much to learn, I continue to study the Sutras and the Gita searching for deeper knowledge. 

Samkhya Philosophy is a system of understanding the world to reach liberation (Moksha). It is a school of dualism focusing on reality consisting of two fundamental entities: Purusha - pure consciousness/spirit (separate from the world) and Prakriti - nature/matter (including mind and emotions). Putting dualism into context, think day/ night, good/bad. In nature, Mother/Father, hot/cold, wet/dry. 

In Samkhya, the dualism is between Purusha and Prakriti. They are essential to the creation of the world. Nothing could exist without the spiritual basis of Purusha and nothing could develop in a manifest form without the mind and matter of Prakriti. Life occurs when Purusha and Prakriti merge together. Purusha is inactive, an unchanging being that is responsible for making Prakriti alive. Prakriti is the source of change and sensation. 

Hinduism embodies these two eternal principles in the figures of Shiva and Shakti, the divine Father and Mother. Shiva is the eternal spirit, the Absolute. Shakti, the Divine Mother, is his creative partner and without her Shiva never could have created the world. Shiva, Purusha, lives in the realm of the immortal. Shakti, Prakrit, rules in the realm of the birth and death. It is the union of Shiva and Shakti that all things are.

Samkhya reminds us to examine one’s thinking process to purify and develop proper attitude towards objects of the senses to minimize attachment. It advises us not to run away from the world, but have mastery over mental control, to stay in control during the ebb and flow of life. Losing oneself to reach freedom from suffering. Letting go of ego, becoming unaffected as the witness. Learning the distinction between consciousness and matter, practicing detachment from the material world and seeking self-realization will ultimately lead to liberation (Moksha).

During your next movement or meditation practice, I invite you to focus on detaching from the ego, let go of expectations and use the practice as exactly that, a practice. Pause and ask yourself, “What am I thinking?” Without analyzing, just observing the thought. Maybe consider adding a daily meditation practice in the morning and/or evening. Starting with as little as 5 minutes per session and maybe increasing time along the way. And don’t pressure yourself to SIT in meditation practice. Find a comfortable position you can relax your body either sitting or lying down.

Focus on polishing the thoughts that arise to filter the right knowledge. Become the observer, witnessing your thoughts. When negative thoughts arise, offset with a positive. Literally “push” the negative thought aside with your mind and replace it with a positive one. It’s not easy, but with practice and patience we can begin to make lasting change.

Keep inquiring. Keep searching. Keep trusting. You are exactly where you need to be at exactly the time you need to be there. I welcome any questions via email, text or call, so please reach out! I am here to support you. Take care of yourself and each other.

In Service,

Madi