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Learn the philosophy upon which Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are based, and the way in which this philosophy is "dualistic."
Contrast Samkhya philosophy with Advaita Vedanta and Tantra and describe the conclusion of the latter philosophies regarding consciousness.
Define tantra and the purpose of tantric practices.

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we introduce three foundational philosophies of yoga.

Objective

Gain an understanding of key assumptions built into the foundational philosophies upon which various branches of yoga are based: Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, and Tantra.

Description

Learn the philosophy upon which Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are based, and the way in which this philosophy is “dualistic.” Contrast Samkhya philosophy with Advaita Vedanta and Tantra and describe the conclusion of the latter philosophies regarding consciousness. Define tantra and the purpose of tantric practices.

Vocabulary

Advaita Vedanta — A non-dualistic understanding of Vedanta
Atman — The Self
Brahman— The formless spirit of the Universe
Gunas — Modes of being
Karma — The law of universal causality
Maya — The cosmic illusion caused by an error in spiritual perception
Prakrti — Substance
Purusha — Spirit
Samkhya — A dualistic philosophy teaching discrimination between spirit and matter
Shakti — Feminine principle
Shiva — Masculine principle
Tantra — A non-dualistic philosophy with practices designed to realize through experience that everything is divine and connected
Vedanta — A philosophy based The Vedas