In yoga philosophy there is the concept of Purusha and Prakriti. The way I like to think of it is that Purusha is everything that doesn’t change, and Prakriti is everything else. The thing that doesn’t change is your inner light, your True Self. That’s Purusha. What’s great about this concept is that it’s a good way to stay on the path of seeing your self and your world in a good light. That’s because the unchanging Self, the full of light and everything good self, is really us. It’s the good us. The person we love to be and know we are. Prakriti is temporary, impermanent, not solid. Sometimes, when things aren’t going so well we can end up defining who we are by our temporary state of mind. If I am angry or frustrated or sad, it’s easy to think, “I’m a sad person”, or “I’m an angry person.” But, those emotions are temporary. Purusha never changes. Our True Self never changes.
For me, it helps me to get through the experiences and emotional times that are harder to deal with. I remind myself that these states are temporary, and I try to learn something about myself during those times, and work to see my True Innate Self. That unchanging Self that is in me, and in everyone. Maybe that’s something you can try as well.
Take care – John
Purusha and Prakriti – Finding the Unchanging Through All That Changes from John McConnell on Vimeo.