The apparent vibration on the (surface) of the potential energy is "Karma". In subtle form it is known as thought. In the gross level, it is "action" explicit. The collective flow of thoughts is "mind". The 'thought' of 'individuality is "ego". The totality of the apparent vibration is "Maya". The three gunas "satva, rajas, thamas" are the thought structure. When the gunas are in a dormant state, we call that stage as 'deep sleep'. In the dream stage, subtle thoughts alone function. In the waking stage, thoughts are expressed as 'action', through 'indriyas'. Apart from ego and mind, there is another factor inherent in the apparent vibrant energy. That is "intellect". It distinguishes the thoughts, and help to bring back the stage of equilibrium i.e. a state without the influence of one or other of the gunas dominating, and thus arresting the clash between the apparent karmas in the subtle as well as gross levels.
To bring out this point more clearly, the analogy of water, ocean, waves and individual wave, would help. Water represents the "Source", i.e. beyond the potential energy. The Ocean represents the potential energy, waves on the surface represent thoughts in subtle and gross forms, individual wave represents individuality (ego sense of doership and enjoyership.
All these analyses are intellectual exercise which would, ofcourse, help to realise one's real nature (swaroopa as against swabhava). The potential energy is 'swaroopa' and the vibrant energy is swabhava. The intellectual exercise is a process of 'metamorphosis'. Intellect, as already mentioned, is a power inherent in the vibrant energy which has the capacity to distinguish thoughts. The intellect is of 'satwik' nature ('vidya' - a liberating power) as against 'thamasic' ('avarana'; non-understanding) and 'rajasic ('vikshepa'; mis-understanding power). The process of 'metamorphosis' is from the individuality to potential energy, from the wave to the ocean. It takes place through 'vidya' ('satwa guna'- the liberating power) and helpts one to outlive the other two gunas - rajo guna and thamo guna. In that state, all apparent karmas exhibit 'yagna spirit', brings in an attitude of 'equanimity' to the karma field, wipes out the feeling of doership and enjoyership (ego). Thus, through the intellect of satwic nature, the ego and mind subside and the individual thus refined, realises identity with the potential energy. He could distinguish 'swaroopa' and 'swabhava. He is least affected by 'swabhava and his 'swaroopa' stands as a witness to all the doings of swabhava like the dancer witnessing his own dancing.
The Source is ofcourse beyond ego, mind, intellect and even beyond potential energy. Man, so long as he expresses himself in the physical form with a sense of existence, can only realise his identity with the potential energy and witness the swabhava's play in him and around. Beyond the potential energy is Nirguna, the Ultimate. In vedantic language the potential energy is 'Akshara Purusha', the vibrant energy is 'Kshara purusha', and the Ultimate is "Purushottama".
