Fundamentally, the different schools of thought make it difficult to clearly distinguish them, but as a general classification, the Higher Self seems to be a combination of Karana and Purusha, as described by Professor Honzan.

This Purusha is slightly different from the Purusha described in the Sankhya philosophy, which is often associated with yoga. In Sankhya philosophy, Purusha refers to pure consciousness, but Professor Honzan's Purusha is pure consciousness that not only "observes" but also "acts." On the other hand, Prakriti corresponds to matter. In Sankhya philosophy, Purusha is pure consciousness that observes, while Prakriti is matter. However, Professor Honzan adds the element of "action" to Purusha.

Not only is the position different, but in Professor Honzan's view, Purusha is positioned as a stage, and it is said that one can not only study yoga philosophy theoretically but also actually recognize and activate Purusha.

Based on this position, which is specific to Professor Honzan, the Karana stage, which Professor Honzan also mentions, is a stage of blissful, radiant, rational, clear knowledge and awareness. The Higher Self seems to encompass both Purusha and Karana.

Professor Honzan also says that whether Karana appears or Purusha appears is different for each person. He says that after the astral realm (mainly emotions), whether the bliss, light, and rational awareness of Karana appear or the pure consciousness of Purusha appears varies from person to person. Therefore, while the "appearance" varies from person to person, this Purusha seems to permeate everything, from Karana to the astral realm and even the physical realm.

Therefore, while it is said that Karana appears first, followed by Purusha, it is possible that Purusha has been permeating everything from the beginning, even if we were not aware of it, and that all of the physical, astral, and Karana bodies are actually influenced by Purusha from the beginning. In that case, it is possible that one might pass through Karana or directly reach the recognition of Purusha.

Therefore, the Higher Self is essentially pure consciousness (Purusha), but when it interacts with this world, it also possesses the qualities of Karana. It seems reasonable that this Higher Self, which is a mixture of Purusha and Karana, comes into contact with humans in this world. When the Higher Self comes into contact with a person who is born and living with a physical body, it comes as something that possesses not only the pure consciousness of Purusha but also Karana. It seems that it would be difficult for the Higher Self to come into contact with a living person if it were only pure consciousness, and there seems to be a connection through Karana.

Karana acts as a bridge, and both the Higher Self and the person with a physical body have Karana, which adjusts the vibrations. Gradually, the "physical, astral, and Karana bodies" of the living person and the "Karana and Purusha" of the Higher Self overlap, and Karana acts as a bridge, gradually connecting conscious awareness, Karana, and even Purusha.

Therefore, contact or union with the Higher Self is not the end, but rather, at the point of connection with the Higher Self, the qualities of Karana are strong, and things like "bliss," "light," and "gratitude" appear. This is truly wonderful because it transcends logic and words. However, it is not yet the realm of God, and at least one must reach the stage of Purusha before one can be said to be enlightened. Even Purusha, which is said to be the stage of enlightenment, seems to be just the beginning.

I think that my current challenge is to move from the current stage of Karana to the stage of Purusha.