YogaSutra

Yogasutra 1.1 - 1.4

"This is the teaching of yoga
Yoga is the cessation of the turnings of thought
When thought ceases, the spirit stands in its true identity as observer to the world
Otherwise, the observer identifies with the turnings of thought"

Similar to the teachings of Buddha who believed suffering originated from attachment, the Yoga school of thought explains that detachment from the "turnings of thought" in order to truly observe the world. This also ties in to our studies of Hermeneutics - to become a truly unbiased interpreter of texts (particularly in religious studies), one must depart from previous knowledge and culture.

Andie's post helps define the cosmic forms of Prakti & Purusa as "nature" and "spirit" respectively. These two terms encompass the universe - Prakti: the potential of everything and then the universe and all its realities. Purusa: the spirit or soul interwoven with the aspect of the self or "atman."

Buddhism's idealogical view of the lack of self allows the individual to completely depart from all attachment where as Hinduism's identification of atman can depart from Prakti to become merely Purusa, "spirit."

So what it comes down to is the self. Is there a self to be liberated? Or should we be liberated from the self?