Samkhya is one of the most ancient of India’s philosophical traditions and its influence has been widespread in Indian thought for centuries. The central aim of Samkhya is to counteract human suffering. To do this, Samkhya proposes a special type of metaphysical dualism, which asserts the absolute distinction between pure consciousness (purusa) on the one hand, and the phenomenal world (prakrti) on the other. The ancient philosophy of Samkhya can be applied to modern life in a number of valuable ways. Rather than becoming overly concerned with the metaphysics of the system, Samkhya can be seen as a psychological tool to overcome suffering. Through rigorous philosophical and psychological analysis, a person can learn to detach or disassociate from the psychophysical entity, and realize witness consciousness. Classical Samkhya postulates no God, supreme being, or creator of the universe. Thus Samkhya shows us that there is not a necessary dichotomy between atheism and spirituality. Moreover, its understanding of the human condition, the self, and the universe provide us with profound psychological insights that may be utilized for better living in this world. In this book, the author investigates the foundational text of classical Samkhya, the Samkhyakarika of Isvarakrsna, to uncover its important psychological insights concerning our human condition and the means to transcend it. Included in the book are special meditational exercises to internalize the teachings of Samkhya, and a complete English translation of the Sanskrit Samkhyakarika. Dr D.E. Osto is a scholar of Asian philosophies and meditation teacher with over thirty years of meditation experience.

Author Biography

Doug Osto teaches Asian Studies and Asian philosophies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand (for more details, see www.douglasosto.com). His research interests include Mahayana Buddhism, Asian philosophies, South Asian religions, and American Buddhism. He is also a translator of Mahayana Buddhist texts, and writes self-help and fiction under the name D. E. Osto.

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