The oldest known philosophical teachings of India are found in the Vedas. The Vedas are four books that describe the philosophy and practices of the Vedic people who lived approximately 5000 years ago in Ancient India. Six primary Indian philosophies emerged; they are called six darshanas. Darshana means “to look at” and “points of view which represent the varied phases of the truth viewed from different angles of vision.” The six schools are often grouped together:Sankhya Philosophy, grouped with Yoga, is considered to be the oldest of the six schools founded by Sage Kapila. These writings are very old and lost in antiquity. What we know of the philosophy is through his students and their later writings. *Fun fact: Before Buddha’s enlightenment, one of his primary teacher’s was a Sankyic scholar hence Sankya’s influence on Buddhism.
Sankhya is considered to be a moksha shastra, a philosophy whose purpose is to teach how one can be come liberated. The primary practice of Sankhya is the deep contemplation on the tattvas, the 24 principles of existence. This leads to the state of Samadhi, the realization of the true self.
Sankhya considers the cultivation vairagya to be pivotal to the teachings. Vairagya is non-attachment or dispassion. “Ranj” means “to color.” Think of a clear crystal. When you place it near a colored object the crystal looks like that color. The mind also takes on the color of the “vrtti” (modifications) it is in contact with. Every thought you think, every reaction you have in life colors or shapes the mind. You identify with the mind. You create a persona that is not reflective of your true Self, which is pure consciousness.
Sankhya states that there are three causes of pain:
- Adhyatmika (pain we create ourselves)
- Adhibautika (pain created outside of me)
- Adhidaivika (pain created by supernatural causes).
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