Philosophy: Intro to Yoga, Definitions, Budhi, Atman Flashcards
Brahman
The coming together of all the atmas, universal consciousness, life, god, “the entire ocean and each atman is a wave in that ocean”
Brahman is a Sanskrit word that refers to the highest universal principle, also called the ultimate or absolute reality. It is a central concept in the Upanishads, ancient scriptures that make-up the doctrine of Vedanta philosophy. In Sanskrit, Brahman is defined as satyam jnanam anantam brahma, which can be translated as “that which never changes,” “knowledge,” and “infinity.”
The word Brahman is derived from the Sanskrit root brh, meaning “to grow or expand.” Brahman is understood to be both that which grows and that which causes other things to grow. It is the omnipresent and eternal source of all that exists in the universe, and it is therefore present in everything; every person, every molecule and every atom.
Dualistic schools such as Dvaita Vedanta believe that Brahman is distinct from Atman (the individual soul), whereas non-dualistic schools such as Advaita Vedanta teach that Brahman and Atman are one and the same, contained within one another.
In the context of yoga, brahman is an understanding that the yogi hopes to reach through spiritual yoga practice, such as asanas, pranayama, mantras and meditation.
According to Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is the only true reality, binding everything in the universe together as one. Although it is the essence of all that can be experienced, it remains unseen.
When thought of as an all-pervading, absolute existence, Brahman seems to reflect what many religious and spiritual traditions think of as God. However, the Upanishads declare that Brahman appears to us in a multitude of Godlike names and forms only because of our ignorance; like a coiled up rope in the dark appears as a snake, Brahman looks to us like a God because we superimpose human perceptions and ideas upon it.
Brahman is not only considered to be the essence of the individual soul, but it also comprises the cosmic soul from which every living being on earth is derived. As such, the concept of Brahman teaches that there is no spiritual distinction between people, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or nationality.
The illusion that separates us from knowing Brahman is known as Maya. Identification with body, mind and ego is thought to be the root cause of suffering, in which Maya hides the true self that is one with Brahman.
Yoga practices such as asana, pranayama and meditation can help practitioners to move through Maya and connect with Brahman. When the mind and senses are withdrawn, the ego eventually dissolves, causing a paradigm shift in worldview and awareness commonly referred to as a spiritual awakening.
In helping to master the mind and senses, yoga encourages individuals to deepen their experiential understanding of Brahman, thereby cultivating a connection with the source of universal energy.
Brahman should not be confused with the Hindu god of creation, Brahma, or with Brahmin, a class within the Indian caste system.
Ātman
Individual self
Atman is a Sanskrit word, defined in simple terms as an individual’s inner self, spirit or soul. The concept of Atman as the true self is considered to be the first principle of Hindu philosophy, particularly according to the Vedanta tradition.
Dualistic schools such as Dvaita Vedanta believe that Atman is distinct from Brahman (universal principle), whereas non-dualistic schools such as Advaita Vedanta teach that Atman and Brahman are one and the same, contained within one another. In such traditions, liberation from suffering can only be attained when an individual realizes that Atman and Brahman are identical.
Atman is regarded as eternal and imperishable, distinct from the physical body, mind and consciousness. It is believed to be found within every living being, though some individuals do not recognize this true self due to ignorance or illusion, known as Maya.
Practices such as yoga and meditation can help to increase Atma Jnana, a form of self-awareness or self-knowledge that lifts the veil of ignorance and relieves practitioners of suffering.
The concept of Atman first appears in ancient Indian scriptures such as the Rig Veda, in which it generally occurs as a reflexive pronoun meaning “oneself.” It doesn’t develop deeper philosophical connotations until later in the Upanishads, in which it is a central concept.
According to the Upanishads, Atman is the spiritual essence at the deepest level of an individual’s existence.
Despite differing interpretations, all major schools of Hinduism and Jainism accept the premise of Atman, in contrast to Buddhism which has no concept of the individual soul or self.
It is generally accepted that the union of Atman and Brahman through cultivating self-knowledge is a means of achieving liberation from suffering.
Those who live in ignorance of this self-awareness see themselves as separate from one another and from the universe, leading to behavior driven by impulse, fear, craving and anxiety. This sense of separation from Atman and Brahman is said to be the root cause of all suffering.
Atman is responsible for the faculties, organs and activities of a person, and it represents the true self as opposed to the ego. As such, Atman transmigrates upon death, following the individual to their new life after rebirth.
Within yoga, meditation is believed to be the most effective way to develop self-realization. In some schools of thought, if an individual achieves the highest state of self-realization in which Atman is understood to be identical with Brahman, freedom from the death and rebirth cycle is achieved, otherwise known as Moksha or liberation.
Buddhi
Buddhi is a Sanskrit term derived from the root, budh, which means “to know” or “to be awake.” Therefore, buddhi refers to intellect, wisdom and the power of the mind to understand, analyze, discriminate and decide.
Buddhi yoga helps to develop buddhi and unites the mind with the higher Consciousness. Developing the spiritual mind, refining consciousness and succeeding in merging with primordial Consciousness are the directions of Buddhi yoga.
Buddhi is one of four functions of the mind; the other three being manas, citta and ahamkara. Buddhi helps to make the right choice as it is the inner wisdom.
Buddhi is attracted to Brahman, or Truth. To achieve the state of Brahman, yogic practices for purification of the soul are performed.
Buddhi yoga, also referred to as the yoga of consciousness, promotes self-development and consciousness. It helps to unite the mind with the higher Consciousness, overcome weakness of the mind, and to attain evenness of mind.
Manas
Manas is a Sanskrit term which means “the sensory or processing mind” or what may also be known as the “sixth sense.” According to yogic philosophy, the human mind has 16 dimensions, which are classified into four categories: buddhi, manas, ahamkara and citta. Citta, which is the basic mental consciousness, develops manas. Manas is also considered a part of citta and is responsible for emotions.
Manas, the sense-mind, is achieved when one progresses spiritually to an extent in which it gets easier to remain tranquil for longer hours. It also has the ability to sense by proximity, foresight and extended physical consciousness.
Manas is classified into two types: karya citta and karana citta. In the Yoga Sutras, the status of the mind is classifed into the following five:
Kshipta - A state of wakefulness when the focus is easily shifted from one object or subject to another. Vikshipta - A state when manas processes a wide range of information without the ability to focus on one object. Mudha - A state when the manas is dull and not seeking new knowledge. Ekagrata - A state when manas is focused on one object and remains focused without getting distracted. Niruddha - The state when the mind is completely in control and spiritual elevation is achieved.
sāṅkhya
sāṅkhya is a Sanskrit word meaning “number,” “empirical” or “enumeration” that is used to describe one of the classic schools of Indian philosophy. This is a dualist philosophy that perceives the world as being made out of two elements: matter (prakriti) and consciousness, or the eternal spirit (purusha). This means that when a person’s body dies, their consciousness can move on to a new body.
This concept is also native to yogic philosophies. Yoga practice can help expand one’s consciousness so that it moves on in a wiser, more enlightened form.
The philosophy of samkhya also refers to gunas (innate qualities or tendencies) that we all have, which cover the likes of good, chaotic and destructive behavior. It is how these gunas interact in each person that defines their character.
In terms of yoga practice, this is an important term to bear in mind while meditating. Knowledge of the duality of samkhya can allow the practitioner to understand the world around them and how they form part of it. In a way, it also shows how different parts of a human work and the functions they carry out.
puruṣa
The unchanging part of everything that is alive
Purusha is a concept in Indian philosophy referring to the Cosmic Self, Cosmic Consciousness, or the Universal Principle. This concept came about during the Vedic era when it referred to a cosmic man who was sacrificed by the gods to create all life.
Both the Indian philosophical school of Samkhya and yogic philosophy define purusha as a masculine force, one that’s opposite to the feminine force, prakriti (primal creative energy). Purusha refers to spirit and prakriti refers to matter. However, both schools believe that the realization of purusha is a part of the path to moksha (spiritual liberation).
Classical yoga is a dualistic philosophy where the universe is envisioned as a combination of perceivable material reality (prakriti) and non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature (purusha). Prakriti is everything that has changed, can change, and is subject to cause and effect. Purusha is the unchanging and uncaused Universal Principle.
In yoga, purusha also references the true Self – the realization of which is a goal of yoga practice as defined in “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.” It is also the ultimate goal of all Vedic practices and Vedantic philosophy, examination and inquiry.
In Hinduism, purusha is a very complex term and has diverse meanings. There is no consensus among different schools of Hinduism on the precise definition of purusha, and it is left to each school and individual to reach their own conclusions.
In the Upanishads, the concept of purusha evolved to denote an abstract essence of Self and Spirit, as well as the eternal, indestructible, all-pervasive Universal Principle. Although there are a variety of views held in different schools of Hinduism about the definition, scope and nature of purusha, many of them agree that it is what connects everything and everyone.
Prakṛti
The changing reality
In Hinduism, prakriti (also spelled prakrti) refers to a primal creative or natural force. It connotes the natural or original intended state of something or of an individual’s being. The term is derived from the Sanskrit pra, meaning “beginning,” and kriti, meaning “creation.”
In Kundalini yoga, one aim of the practitioner is to awaken prakriti (or the energy of “mother nature”) to achieve balance and awaken one’s primal power and reach a more natural state of being.
Prakriti is composed of three gunas (or elements):
Creation (rajas) Preservation (sattva) Destruction (tamas)
The three gunas give movement to the force of prakriti in the world, allowing modification and change to that which is primal and original in nature. Prakriti is considered to be a feminine, creative energy. Its counterpart, purusha, is the masculine energy that encompasses the Soul or true Self, and gives life to that which is primal and created.
One of the primary goals in the practice of Kundalini yoga is to awaken and utilize prakriti, which is believed to be located within the muladhara (root) chakra at the base of the spine. In the sister science of Ayurveda, some practices center around an individual’s prakriti and bringing balance to one’s self, thus nurturing one’s true nature.
Tattva
Tattva is a Sanskrit term meaning “principle” or “reality.” It is derived from the roots, tatt, meaning “that,” “quality” or “godhead”; and tvam, meaning “thou” or “individual.” It was developed as early as 2000 B.C.E. and was later reintroduced by Kapila, a sage belonging to the Vedic era, during the 700s B.C.E.
Tattva is an inseparable part of Hindu philosophy with various schools of thought define it in their own way. The Samkhya School of Hindu Philosophy, which was co-founded by Kapila, identifies 24 tattvas; however, according to Saivism, there are 36.
The five basic tattvas are earth, water, fire, air and sky. Each have corresponding symbols and colors. They also have corresponding chakras: earth is associated with muladhara, water is associated with svadisthana, fire is associated with manipura , air with anahata and sky with visuddha.
The five tattvas are present everywhere and having them balanced in the body is essential to one’s health. Practicing yoga is the best way to balance the five tattvas, gaining higher levels of consciousness and spiritual fulfilment.
Ahaṃkāra
23rd tattva, individual sense of self
Ahaṃkāra is a Sanskrit word used in Hindu philosophy to refer to the human ego. It is derived from the root words aham, meaning “self,” and kara, meaning “to do with” or “created thing.”
Performing yoga is one of the best ways of fully understanding what ego is, and then working on slowly shedding it over time through the various yoga practices.
This is an ancient term that was first used in Vedic texts some 3,000 years ago and was then used in Hindu philosophy, with it being particularly relevant in samkhya philosophy. It is one of the four different elements that make up the antahkarana (inner organ). The others are known as buddhi (intellect), manas (mind) and chitta (memory).
Lord Krishna said to Arjuna that it is necessary that ahamkara be removed, meaning that the ego must be eradicated in order to achieve true spiritual enlightenment. It is sometimes called “the instrument of the spirit” and can lead to undesirable feelings such as pride, jealousy and hate.
Yoga in the Vedas
union of Atman and Brahman
Veda is a Sanskrit word from the root, vid, meaning “to know.” Thus, veda means “knowledge” or “wisdom.”
The Vedas are the most ancient Hindu and yogic texts. Written in Sanskrit, they are considered to have no author. Rather, it is believed that the texts were revealed to the ancient sages who passed them on orally for many years until they were written down on palm leaves around 500 BCE. Because of this supposed link with the Divine, the Vedas are also called sruti in Sanskrit, which means “what is heard” (as opposed to smrti, meaning “what is remembered”). Some sources state that Brahma is the creator of the Vedas.
The ideas, teachings and practices described in the Vedas formed the basis for the six major schools of Hindu philosophy, one of which is yoga.
The Vedas are a collection of teachings, hymns, rituals and poems. There are four Vedas in total, the oldest of which is the “Rig Veda” that dates back to approximately 1500 B.C.E. It is here that the word, “yoga,” is first used and defined.
The four Vedas are:
"Rig Veda" - the most important Veda. It contains mantras and hymns for happiness, health and wisdom, including the famous Gayatri mantra. "Sama Veda" - a collection of musical hymns and mantras that form the basis for kirtan, the devotional chanting of Bhakti yoga. "Yajur Veda" - the instructional handbook for the technical aspects of ceremonies, sacrificial acts and worship of the deities. This is used by Vedic priests. "Atharva Veda" - a collection of magical rites and spells to dispel demons and disease, as well as hymns for marriage and cremation.
Upaniṣads
The Upanishads are an assortment of texts central to Hinduism that are recorded from oral traditions. They contain information regarding the philosophical principles and concepts of Hinduism, including karma (right action), brahman (ultimate reality), the atman (true Self or soul), moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation) and Vedic doctrines that explain Self-realization through yoga and meditation practices.
Upanishad is a Sanskrit word that translates in English to mean “sitting at the feet of” or “sitting down near.” This illustrates the position of receiving wisdom and guidance humbly from a teacher or guru.
There are more than 200 Upanishads that have been recorded from oral traditions and passed down over centuries. Thirteen of these include core philosophical teachings of Hinduism. The philosophical concepts contained in the Upanishads are principal to Hinduism, but some are shared with Buddhism and Jainism as well.
The texts govern and explain the idea of Self-realization, which can require the practice of yoga and meditation. They also cite the concepts of non-violence, compassion, charity, and self-restraint as ethical characteristics. Many people translate the texts subjectively, which contributes to the varied Hindu schools of philosophy and religious practice. It also contributes, in part, to the various schools of yoga.
Tamas guna
Tamas guna is one of the three energetic qualities of the universe. The name comes from the Sanskrit, tamas, meaning “darkness,” “illusion” and “ignorance,” and guna, meaning “quality” or “attribute.” Tamas guna is the quality in the universe that obscures higher consciousness and the unity of life. It represents inertia, laziness, mental dullness and greed.
People who have a dominance of tamas guna tend to be procrastinators who sleep too much, are easily manipulated and are in poor health. Balancing the gunas leads to good mental and physical health.
All three gunas are present in everyone and all creation, but one guna may be more dominant than the others. In addition to tamas guna, the other two gunas are:
Sattva guna, which is light, knowledge and harmony Rajas guna, which is passion, energy and activity
Tamas guna makes it difficult to grow spiritually and reach higher levels of consciousness. To balance tamas guna, the yogi must become more active and avoid sedentary activities. Yoga asana practice should include energizing backbends and balancing poses, as well as more vinyasas, rather than holding poses. Pranayama clears stagnant tamas guna, while meditation should involve movement rather than a stationary seated position.
Rajas guna
Rajas guna is the second, or middle, of the three qualities (gunas) of the universe. The name comes from the Sanskrit, rajas, meaning “passion,” and guna, meaning “quality” or “attribute.” Rajas guna is the quality of energy, movement, activity, ambition, action and change.
Higher rajasic energy is useful for athletes and for motivation, but people who have too much rajas guna tend to be filled with so much energy that it leads to anxiety, over-thinking, pushiness, aggressiveness and hyperactivity.
All three gunas are present in everyone, but one of the gunas may dominate. For mental, spiritual and physical health, the gunas must be balanced. In addition to rajas guna, the other two gunas and their qualities are:
Sattva guna – knowledge, light and harmony Tamas guna – darkness, ignorance and illusion
The energy of rajas guna may move toward tamas, in which case it heightens ignorance, or toward sattva, which increases spiritual knowledge.
To balance rajas guna, the yogi should add more calming activities. Yoga asana practice should avoid vinyasas, hold poses longer and add a restorative pose each day. Forward folds and side bends are also calming. Pranayama should including cooling, calming breaths, while the stillness of seated meditation will help calm the mind.
Sattva
Sattva is one of the three gunas (virtues/attributes) in Hindu and Samkhya philosophy. The word means “light,” “goodness” and “purity” in Sanskrit.
In Ayurveda and spiritual yoga practice, individuals seek to invite and maintain balance of the self, mind and body through the three gunas. Those who practice sattva seek to nourish the body with pure substances and engage in purifying practices. This can include upholding a sattvic diet, meditating, pranayama, asana practice, and/or the study of sacred scripture.
Sattva denotes having the natural quality of purity and goodness. For something (such as food) to be considered sattvic, it should not increase evil or disease, and must be pure and natural.
Sattva can also be considered an emotional or mental state wherein the mind is at peace. Sattvic individuals often strive to deepen, strengthen and mature the soul. Many people cultivate sattva through practicing a sattvic diet, which includes foods that are considered most pure and life-giving to the body.
Pranamaya kosha
Pranamaya kosha is the second of the five layers, or sheaths, of the body, which are collectively referred to as pancha kosha, in yogic philosophy. Pranamaya kosha is the energy sheath and is said to be composed of prana. As such, pranamaya kosha is the vital shell of the body that contains life. The existence of pranamaya kosha is what differentiates the living from the dead.
Pranamaya kosha is said to exist in the physical body, pervading the whole organism. Prana flows through nadis, or energy channels, in the body. Yogis believe there are 72,000 nadis that make up pranamaya kosha.
Along with pranamaya kosha, the other koshas are:
Annamaya kosha - the physical body Manomaya kosha - the mental body Vijnanamaya kosha - the wisdom body Anandamaya kosha - the bliss body
Pranamaya kosha is what unites the body and mind. Prana enters the body via nourishment and breath. As such, an important way of working with pranamaya kosha is to perform pranayama, or breathing exercises. These are believed to have a positive effect on the energy system of the body.
Pranayama kosha, like all the koshas, is interactive and dependent upon the other layers of the body. As such, working with pranayama can also positively influence other koshas. Similarly, performing asanas, although considered to primarily influence annamaya kosha, will also have a positive affect on pranamaya kosha.
