
Understanding Purusha and Prakriti in Samkhya
In the realms of Samkhya and Classical Yoga, as presented in the Yoga Sutras, the concepts of Purusha (soul or consciousness) and Prakriti (matter or nature) form the basis of their dualistic philosophy. This distinction, pivotal in these philosophical systems, is often not fully grasped by contemporary yoga instructors. The idea of dualism represented through Purusha and Prakriti, has been a cornerstone in Western religious thought for thousands of years. It is analogous to the metaphor of the clockmaker (representing Purusha, the divine consciousness) and the clock (symbolizing Prakriti, the material world).