Sankya Yoga
where does our present identity begin?
• identity begins when the individual soul’s consciousness enters the virtual reality
• The Vedic science that explains this is sankya
Sankya Yoga
Sankya Yoga
• Definition: that which describes in detail by counting or enumerating
• Sankya (or samkya) offers a detailed analysis of the nature and creation of the material world
Material Universe
Lord Brahma’s Planet
Roots = Subtle
Trunk & Branches =
Gross
Spiritual Realm
Lord Brahma’s Planet
Spiritual Realm
Spiritual and Material Existence
• The spiritual realm is the real thing
• The material world is like the reflection of the real thing in a body of water
SpiritualRealm
is calledPara
& is Sat (Eternal)
Material Universeis calledApara
& is Asat (Temporary)
Virtual Reality
Sankhya
• How do you create a virtual reality?
• Consider: where do movies come from?
• How are Television images made?
• What goes into putting on a play?
• How do you build a totally awesome and believable virtual reality?
Sankhya, cont’d
• In sankhya the underlying qualities of the universe are called Gunas– Sattva = Goodness– Rajas = Passion– Tamas = Ignorance
Sankhya, cont’d
• The 3 gunas work a little like the RGB of TV
Evolution Process
• The material progression begins when Vishnu projects his superior consciousness (internal potency), the living entities (us) and time (external potency) into the Mahat Tattva (material nature.)
• This is similar to impregnating (Visnu remains distant - the actual contact is lord Shiva)– Womb is the intermediate place
where the baby grows (Maha Tattva)
– Delivery of the baby is similar to the creation of Prakrti
Pyramid of Evolution
Brahman
Pradhana
Mahat Tattva
Prakrti
•Undifferentiated•Un-manifested=Avyakta•Distinct from Brahman
•Material modes of nature in perfect balance
•Pure energy of God
•Aggregate of material realm (like the
construction material) •Before manifestation•Includes conditioned
souls•Manifested
universe
Pradhana with 24 Elements
Tan MatrasSubtle Elements
5 Objects of The Senses
Smell/Odor
Taste
Form/Color
Touch
Sound
Antah Karana(Inner
Instrument)
False Ego(Ahankara)
Intelligence(Buddhi)
Mind (Manas)
Citta (conditioned
consciousness)
Pancha Maha Bhuta
Five Great Elements
Earth
Water
Fire
Air
Ether
Buddhi Indryas5 Knowledge
Senses
Karma Indryas5 Working
Senses
Goodness Passion Ignorance
Sight
Hearing
Smelling
Touching
Tasting
Speech
Movement
Grasping
Eliminating
Reproducing
Mahat-Tattva: shadow of pure consciousness– it is the
germinating place of all creation
False Ego
Goodness Passion Ignorance
Modes of Nature go out
of balance
Simultaneous with Sudda
Sattva
Manifestation Mixer = Time
Time(Kala)
FalseEgo
Death Awareness
(Mrtyu)Fear
Time is the internal spiritual potency; the
mixing element throwing the modes
out of balance
Soul is overwhelmed when it comes in contact with material world and
“conditioned” consciousness begins
The self becomes aware of its temporary
nature and deathThe “reality “ of death instills the new concept of
FEAR
Evolution Process – Mahat Tattva, cont’d.
Goodness(serenity)
Passion(activity)
Ignorance(dullness)
Capacity to think and reflect, gives
rise to desire. Origin of duality: acceptance and
rejection.
Subtle element of sound is one of the first buliding blocks.
Discernment, discrimination, making things meaningful to the senses (master of the senses). Intuition comes from the mind.
Five characteristics: doubt, misapprehension, correct
apprehension, memory and sleep.
5 Knowledge and 5 Working
Senses not activated.
(The enrergy or power to
experience material reality.)
SoundIntelligence
(Buddhi)Mind (Manas)
Under influence of False Ego
Sight
Hearing
Smelling
Touching
Tasting
Speech
Movement
Grasping
Eliminating
Reproducing
Activities & characteristics of the ethereal element can be observed as accommodation (room) for the external and internal existences of all living entities, mainly the field of activities of the vital air, the senses and the mind.
Gradual Evolution of Our Senses
Ignorance(under influence of False Ego)
Air
Ether
Touching
Fire Sight
TasteWaterTasting
Smell/Odor Earth Smelling
Form/Color
Hearing
Touch
Sound
PranaLife Force (allows the knowledgesenses to operate)
Overview of Gradual Evolution
Tan MatranSubtle Elements
5 Objects of The Senses
Smell/Odor
Taste
Form/Color
Touch
Sound
Antah Karana(Inner
Instrument)
False Ego(Ahankara)
Intelligence(Buddhi)
Mind (Manas)
Citta (conditioned
consciousness)
Pancha Maha Bhuta
Five Great Elements
Earth
Water
Fire
Air
Ether
Buddhi Indryas5 Knowledge
Senses
Sight
Hearing
Smelling
Touching
Tasting
Karma Indryas5 Working
Senses
Speech
Movement
Grasping
Eliminating
Reproducing
Goodness Passion Ignorance
8 Steps to understand & heal the mind
1. Establish the awareness of the mind as an “other”
2. Initiate friendly relations
3. Practice listening to the mind’s issues (daily basis)
4. Ask to meet the other members of the mind
5. Learn about the needs & concerns of all parts of the mind and develop a cooperative relationship
6. Present the goals of your training program. Your ideas for spiritual progress to your mind, listen to objections and concerns and try to gain mutual agreement.
7. Introduce the concept of a spiritual coach or guide(s) (multiple forms are possible: teacher, acarya, deity, mantra)
8. Practice techniques & activities to build a relationship with a spiritual guide