More on Sankhya Philosophy

Sankhya is a dualistic philosophy. The dualism is between the self and matter whereas in the West, its between mind and body. Sankhya has their own version on how they think life emerged in the universe similar to "The Big Bang Theory." They regard the universe consisting of two realities:

Purusha (consciousness; self) and
Prakriti (matter)

Purusha is the Transcendental Self or Pure Consciousness. It is absolute, independent, free, imperceptible, unknowable, above any experience and beyond any words or explanation.

Prakriti is the first cause of the universe of everything (expect Purusha). Prakriti evolves itself successively into twenty four tattvas (principles). It's composed of three characteristics (gunas):

1. Sattva: a template of balance or equilibrium; characterized by purity, luminosity, lightness, harmony and the production of pleasure.
2. Rajas: a template of expansion or activity; endeavor, energy, movement, producing pain. Impel and energizes overcoming stagnation.
3. Tamas: template of inertia or resistance to action; stability, stagnation, dullness, darkness, stasis, stupor.