Concept of Freedom in Samkhya and Yoga Philosophy - Essay Example

Concept of Freedom in Samkhya and Yoga Philosophy Samkhya exists as one of the oldest and most prominent philosophies in India. Kapila, a great and eminent sage, founded this school. Two philosophical schools arose in India based on Upanishads. These included the Samkhya or realistic and the Vedanta or idealistic. The entire philosophy of Samkhya combines Yoga and Samkhya basic doctrines. However, Samkhya philosophy is representative of theory, while yoga is representative of practical or application aspects (Burley 23). The two have been characterized as practical and theoretical aspects of one system with Samkhya involving the theoretical background to Yoga’s more practical orientation. In this case, Yoga can be seen as a sub-school or branch of Samkhya because it inherits most concepts from Samkhya, although some scholars also argue that Samkhya and yoga have important conceptual and doctrinal differences (Burley 23). However, one of the concepts that the two share in common is freedom. This paper will seek to discuss the concept of freedom in Samkhya and Yoga. Freedom from Prakriti is also called kaivalya and it means being in isolation, alone, or aloof (Burley 30). In order for one to attain freedom and liberation, one should be separate from their body since, in spite of all the wonderful qualities of the body, the body’s makeup is Prakriti. It is essential to attain separation from one’s mind also, and one must remember that Prakriti is more than physical manifestations in life. Other forms of Prakriti that one should be free of include intelligence, emotions, thoughts, and memory. True freedom, according to the Samkhya tradition, is not obtainable if it is still embodied. It is only when one leaves the body that they can achieve true freedom and liberation. However, if no attractions to Prakriti are cleansed from the purusha, death becomes the beginning of another cycle, during which Prakriti again becomes attached to the purusha (Burley 31). In order to attain liberation, Samkhya yoga employs renunciation and discrimination (Burley 32). Discrimination, which is also referred to as viveka involves knowledge that one gains via reasoning, while renunciation involves the moving away from the things that one is bound to the world through. While Samkhya practice has many similarities with classical yoga, samadhi is not a focus in Samkhya as far as freedom and liberation are concerned. However, both practices require asceticism for true freedom and liberation. Samkhya philosophy was essential in the formation of classical yoga and the two philosophies adopted, tested, borrowed, and discarded practices and ideas from one another until, eventually, there was a consistent model that came from each of the approaches with freedom being a central component of each (Burley 32). Samkhya has a dualism that is similar to ancient Jainism where all individuals had separate and unique jivas from other jivas, similar to the purusha in Samkhya that were also believed to be separate (Burley 35). Just like in ancient Jainism, classical yoga and Samkhya practice a form of fierce yoga that involves complete renunciation. However, renunciation by itself in Samkhya does not lead to true freedom from the grasp of Prakriti with discernment also required. This discernment involves knowledge of the universe and its ways. However, this knowledge is not intellectual because intellect is still considered Prakriti. Discernment increases the ability to develop inner knowledge, which understands what is real and what is ephemeral, which separates the universes apparent from the true reality of the world. While discernment is achieved via reasoning, it also gives one the ability and will of renouncing what is not real, which is the beginning of freedom (Burley 35). The Upanishads from India tell of the soul, also referred to as the soul, which is, ultimately, one that has living and universal consciousness that is called Brahman or absolute. Brahman, which is the source of all that is alive, is expressed in many seemingly distinct and finite expressions (Burley 36). These expressions fall and rise continuously in a perpetual flux rhythm. Brahman continuously takes fiscal and monetary forms, which are governed by change. The reality of impermanence or momentariness can be seen in the tradition of yoga and Samkhya, while also being the core doctrine of the Buddhists. The outer and physical world exists in a constant state of flux, just as the human emotional/mental world is, as well. Since the human mind is always on the move and shifting through various cycles of thought, man is rarely able to experience and see the limitless and true grounds of his/her own existence, which is the true freedom and liberation. Due to all the issues that go through the human mind, man is normally relegated to being in a state of awareness that is limited and contracted without true freedom (Burley 36). These limited states of awareness incl8de physical, mental, and emotional experiences. Therefore, Samkhya and yoga acts as the yoke or link of awareness away from the energy-sense that is able to perceive the external world and back to conscious source that make up the human’s innermost being (Burley 40). One’s pose, breath regulation, meditation, and withdrawal of senses align with the self. Samkhya and yoga allow man to achieve total contentment that extends to his entire life in the form of freedom. Therefore, the commonly held notion that Samkhya and yoga can lead main somewhere is not true. The two philosophies only work towards awakening man to his/her true nature. When the two are practiced for one to achieve an attitude of freedom, it is possible for them to achieve contentment, bliss, and joy beyond what is naturally conceivable. Freedom cannot be found, and it is the fundamental integrity of all human beings. Samkhya and yoga’s major goal is unconditional freedom and the two philosophies invite practitioners to explore liberation and freedom. Samkhya and yoga bring man to the realization of who he/she is and that beneath the situations present in their lives is their true being and life, which can only be achieved through the pure and conscious awareness found in the philosophy (Burley 40). Samkhya and yoga teach that man must let the drama and pains of their everyday life go to discover a more quiescent and deep state of awareness, which is the beginning of all freedom (Burley 45). Man’s underlying nature is self-content and perfect and will always be in this state. Through the philosophy of Samkhya and yoga, it is possible to be in touch with the energy that surrounds man and come to the realization that the human body has more love, effectiveness, security, and love, all which lead to one gaining freedom from the evils of the world, or Prakriti. As practitioners of Samkhya and yoga identify with their fundamental witness-self, they continuously and deeply start t feel free and enjoy their life’s gifts. Work Cited Burley, Mikel. Classical Samkhya and Yoga: An Indian Metaphysics of Experience. London: Taylor & Francis, 2009. Print. Read More