Knowledge Of Pure Consciousness (Spirit/Purusha)
Knowledge of pure consciousness is one of the different types of Spiritual Power or siddhis outlined in the Vibhuti Pada (Book III) of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. “What is pure consciousness?” you ask. Well, according Patanjali, you will find out what pure consciousness is once you have knowledge of the Purusha.
However, many terms have been used to translate the Purusha which only makes the subject utterly confusing for some. A few examples of these terms are Spirit, Soul, Atman, Jiva, Consciousness, Cosmic Man, Cosmic Essence, Pure Awareness, True Self, etc.
To understand what the sages of India refer to when they say Purusha or "pure consciousness," let's take a look at Sutra 36 of the Vibhuti Pada.
Vibhuti Pada: Sutra 36
“Sattva-purusayor atyantasamkirnayoh pratyayaviseso bhogah pararthat svartha-samyamat purusa-jnanam”
Translations:
"Experience is the result of inability to distinguish between the Purusa and the Sattva though they are absolutely distinct. Knowledge of the Purusa results from Samyama on the Self-interest (of the Purusa) apart from another's interest (of Prakrti)."
— I.K. Taimni, The Science Of Yoga
"Experience consists of perceptions in which the luminous aspect of the phenomenal world is mistaken for absolutely pure awareness. Focusing with perfect discipline on the different properties of each yields insight into the nature of pure awareness."
— Chip Hartranft, The Yoga-Sûtra of Patañjali
"The personal self seeks to feast on life, through a failure to perceive the distinction between the personal self and the spiritual man. All personal experience really exists for the sake of another: namely, the spiritual man. By perfectly concentrated Meditation on experience for the sake of the Self, comes knowledge of the spiritual man."
— Charles Johnston, The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali: The Book of the Spiritual Man
Separation of Matter and Spirit
Patanjali stated in his sutras that in order to experience pure consciousness, you must separate or distinguish conscious experience in the realm of matter (Sattva) from that of spirit (Purusha). That is because what you think you experience in this world is only a product of your mind, which is the result of consciousness being conditioned by matter. Hence, the Sattva is not pure because it is a limited experience.
The spirit, however, is beyond the limitations of matter. When the spirit is restored in its absolute purity, the nature of pure consciousness is revealed. The experience is transcendent, the awareness is pure, and the state is of infinite bliss, Satcitananda.
Attaining Knowledge Of Pure Consciousness
Knowledge of pure consciousness can be attained by performing Samyama Meditation on the Heart Chakra, which is the seat of the Purusha. This is where you will see the difference between the purpose hidden behind Sattva (material consciousness) and the purpose of the Purusha (transcendent consciousness). It is also said that when you fully awaken the heart chakra, you gain the ability to make decisions outside the realm of matter and beyond the influence of karma. In other words, you control your own destiny.
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