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Lesson Summary

This class delves into the significance of the energy of Sattva in spiritual realization, emphasizing its importance in Yogic traditions. It discusses:

• The concept of Purusha and Prakriti in understanding creation and the world of experience.
• The reasons for the existence of the world and the pursuit of liberation by yogis.
• The integral role of Sattva in spiritual practices for attaining spiritual freedom and inner awareness.
• The components of the psyche known as Antahkarana: Buddhi, Ahamkara, Manas, and Chitta, and their functions in self-awareness and spiritual practices.
• The significance of integrating these components for mental and spiritual well-being.
• The importance of cultivating Sattva and self-awareness for inner transformation and spiritual growth.

The class also highlights the importance of Chitta in yogic and spiritual realization, emphasizing its role in the practice of Yoga:

• Chitta serves as the field of consciousness necessary to achieve a still and serene state where consciousness fluctuations cease, allowing the flourishing of Sattva and connection to cosmic consciousness.
• The Antahkarana, including Buddhi, Ahamkara, Manas, and Chitta, forms the inner subtle body persisting between lives and in dreams, hosting spiritual practices like Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

Furthermore, the text delves into the evolution of creation from Purusha to physical elements:

• The yogic path of Pratiprasava involves the inverse propagation of the Gunas to return to spiritual origins.
• The process of evolution is detailed, encompassing the disturbance in equilibrium, the interaction between Purusha and Prakriti, and the evolution of the universe.
• It enumerates the 25 tattvas of the Samkhya system, outlining the fundamental principles of reality.

Ultimately, this class encourages the cultivation of Sattva through meditation to transcend the realm of desire and experience, leading to supreme spiritual freedom.

Review: The Process of Evolution

1. Disturbance in Equilibrium:

• • The process of creation begins when the equilibrium of the three gunas in Prakriti is disturbed. This disturbance can be understood as an inherent potential within Prakriti to evolve and manifest into various forms.

1. Interaction Between Purusha and Prakriti:

• • The presence of Purusha (consciousness) near Prakriti (matter) initiates the process of evolution. While Purusha remains passive and uninvolved, its mere proximity to Prakriti acts as a catalyst, triggering the transformation of Prakriti.

1. Evolution of the Universe:

• • The first product of this interaction is Mahat (the Great Principle or Cosmic Intellect), also known as Buddhi. Mahat is characterized by the predominance of Sattva and represents intelligence and discernment. Mahat is also associated with Hiranyagharba, the great golden womb, the radiant field, and the field of OM.
  • From Mahat evolves Ahamkara (the Ego principle), which is dominated by Rajas and signifies the sense of individuality and ego.
  • Ahamkara further differentiates into three types based on the predominance of the three gunas:
    • Sattvic Ahamkara: Leads to the evolution of the mind (Manas) and the senses (Indriyas).
    • Rajasic Ahamkara: Leads to the ten organs of perception (Jnanendriyas) and action (Karmendriyas).
    • Tamasic Ahamkara: Leads to the five subtle elements (Tanmatras), which then evolve into the five gross elements (Mahabhutas).

Review: The Twenty-Five Tattvas

The Samkhya system enumerates 25 fundamental principles (tattvas) that constitute the framework of reality:

1. Purusha (1): Pure consciousness.
2. Prakriti (1): Primordial matter.
3. Mahat/Buddhi (1): Cosmic intellect.
4. Ahamkara (1): Ego principle/The “I” maker.
5. Manas (1): Mind.
6. Jnanendriyas (5): The five organs of perception (hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell).
7. Karmendriyas (5): The five organs of action (speech, hands, feet, excretion, and reproduction).
8. Tanmatras (5): The five subtle elements (sound, touch, form, taste, and smell).
9. Mahabhutas (5): The five gross elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth).

It is the purpose of yogic meditation to reverse our attention from bhoga, the realm of desire and experience, to the path of apavarga, of existing supremely free in our eternal pure conscious being. Through the cultivation of Sattva, our meditation practice naturally carries us through the evolutes of matter, back to the experience of supreme spirit.