reach its end and encounter the supreme non-physical reality, it will not
he in time and space as we know them.Universal Soul (Purusa)
and Nature (Prakrti)
I have purposely avoided until now using the usual translation for the
non-physical reality as its mention usually stops people thinking for
themselves. In Sanskrit, the word is Purusa. In English we can call it
Cosmic or Universal Soul. The word Soul usually has such strong reli
�ious connotations that people either accept or dismiss it without re
flection. They forget that it is simply our word for an abiding reality.
It is logical but remains conceptual to our minds until we experience
its realization within ourselves.
We rightly associate this abiding reality with selfless love, which is
founded in the perception of unity, not difference. The strength of a
mother's love derives from her unity with the child. In unity there is no
possession, as possession is a dual state, containing me and it. Soul is
unchanging, eternal, and constant; it always remains as witness, rooted
111 divine origin and oneness. The whole practice of yoga is concerned
with exploring the relationship between Prakrti and Purusa, between
Nature and Soul. It is about, to return to our original image, learning
lo live between the earth and the sky. That is the human predicament,
1111r joy and our woe, our salvation or our downfall. Nature and Soul
.�n· mingled together. Some would say they are married. It is through
1 he correct practice of asana and pranayama and the other petals of
yo�-:a that the practitioner (sadhaka) experiences the communication
.1ud wnnection between them. To an average person it might seem that
llu· marriage of Nature and Soul is one of strife and mutual incompre
hl'usion. But by communing with them both, they come closer to each
111 her for the purpose of a blessed union. That union removes the veil