Hinduism Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for followers of the Hindu religion and those interested in learning more about Hinduism. Join them; it only takes a minute:

Sign up
Here's how it works:
  1. Anybody can ask a question
  2. Anybody can answer

Are there any text regardless the evolution of consciousness, how to improve consciousnesses, and so-forth? I'm not sure if this is correct, but the "jiva" mind?

share|improve this question
up vote 7 down vote accepted

Yes, Hindu texts related to Yoga schools of thought discuss about the evolution of consciousness. The Patanjali Yoga Sutra is such an important text that describes about consciousness, mental activities and also mentions the practices required to improve the consciousness.

Consciousness is generally the faculty that creates the awareness of "I" in the jiva (being) and by default the awareness of a jiva stays limited only to its body and its related objects. The purpose of evolution of consciousness is to expand it such that it merges with the universal consciousness and the jiva attains kaivalya (liberation).

Through practice of positive traits like friendliness, compassion, etc. one's consciousness gradually gets purer:

maitrīkaruṇāmuditopekṣaṇāṃ sukhaduḥkhapuṇyāpuṇyaviṣayāṇāṃ bhāvanātaścittaprasādanam [PYS - 1.33]
- Consciousness gradually becomes peaceful through friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity toward all things irrespective of pleasant or painful, and good or bad.

-Consciousness evolves or transforms along form, timespan, and condition as the elements and the senses. [PYS - 3.13]

The text is in aphorism form so understanding it directly may not be possible. Moreover, yoga being a physical activity to understand the practical implications of the text some expert's help can be required. Nevertheless, to answer the question evolution of consciousness has been dealt with very much detail in Hinduism in the yoga schools of thought. Here is a link if you want to read that book online.

share|improve this answer
Thanks for the link to the online material. – Xarcell Sep 2 '14 at 19:33

Your Answer


