Why Life?
Why our individual lives?
According to the Vedic science Samkhya, reality consists of two fundamental, and always distinct, aspects;
- Spirit/Seer/Purusha
- Nature/Seen/Prakriti
It is the interplay of these that drives creation, and hence our individual lives.
Spirit illuminates and animates Nature.
The resulting movements in Nature create experience for Spirit in order that It can come to comprehend Itself.
Our confusion of the two aspects leads to disharmony and suffering, but, when correctly understood, they lead to bliss and freedom.
Worldly experience is for the liberation of Soul by understanding.
Yoga spiritual practice is applied Samkhya, consciously engaging with this purpose, and supports us as we move towards the wisdom, and freedom, that comes with understanding.
References;
Yoga Sutras 02:23
“sva-svāmi-śaktyoḥ svarūpa-upalabdhi-hetuḥ saṃyogaḥ”
“The Self is obscured by the world in order that the reality of both may be discovered.”
trans. Alistair Shearer.
Samkhya Karika 56
“Creation is a result of the modifications of Prakriti.
Its purpose is the liberation of each Purusha.”
trans. Subhash Mittal