Microsoft Word - Taimni - The Science of Yoga.doc

Then again, from the literal meaning of Kaivalya many people are led to imag-
ine that it is a state of consciousness in which the Purusa is completely isolated from
all others and lives alone in solitary grandeur like a man sitting on the peak of a moun-
tain. Such a state, if it did exist, would be a horror and not the consummation of bliss.
The idea of isolation implied in Kaivalya is to be interpreted in relation to Prakrti
from which the Purusa is isolated. This isolation frees him from all the limitations
which are inherent in being involved in matter in a state of Avidya but leads him, on
the other hand, to the closest possible unification with Consciousness in all its mani-
festations. Complete isolation from Prakrti means complete unification with Con-
sciousness or Reality, because it is matter which divides the different units of con-
sciousness, and in the world of Reality we are all one. The more we transcend matter
and isolate our consciousness from it the greater becomes the degree of our union with
Paramesvara and all the Jivatmas who are centres in His Consciousness. And as An-
anda is inseparable from Love or the awareness of oneness we can see easily why this
consciousness of Kaivalya which includes everyone in its vast embrace leads to the
acme of Bliss.
The last question that might be dealt with in connection with V-34 is whether
Kaivalya represents the end of the journey. Although a study of the Yoga-Sutras might
give the impression that Kaivalya is the final goal, those who have trodden the Path
and passed further along it, as well as Occult tradition, declare with one voice that
Kaivalya is only a stage in the unending unfoldment of consciousness. When the Pu-
rusa attains this stage of Self-realization he sees opening before him new vistas of
achievement which are utterly beyond human imagination. As Lord Buddha said ‘Veil
upon veil shall lift, but still veil upon veil will be found behind.’ The Yoga-Sutras give
the technique for achieving the final goal as far as human beings are concerned. What
lies beyond is not only not our concern for the time being, but is totally beyond our
comprehension and therefore cannot be the subject of study. The further mysteries
which we have to unravel and the stages of the Path we have to tread are hidden within
the still deeper recesses of our consciousness and will reveal themselves in due course
when we are ready for them. Enough for us, for the time being, is the goal of achieve-
ment which is implied in Kaivalya.