Modern
Science only explains the human anatomy based on the information
gained with the help of five senses and medical gadgets. When it
comes to mind and beyond, the contemporary Science couldn't contain
all the answers. The Rishis and Saints
of India performed deep analysis during meditation about the subject,
thousands of years ago and came out with a wonderful explanation of
human anatomy. For a true seeker, it is very important to gain
complete understanding of our own composition while performing deeper
Self analysis.
According
to the ancient philosophy of Vedanta, the
wonderful manifestation of Consciousness or Soul occurs in the
physical world with the help of five Kosha (layers or sheaths). These
Kosha refers to different aspects as layers of subjective experience
ranging from physical experiences to the subtle levels of breath,
emotions, mind, spirit and beyond. Together, with these five
layers, the living being acts as one holistic system.
Annamay
Kosha: The outermost of the layers that interacts in the physical
world is called the sheath of food, or Annamaya kosha. This refers to
the physical body. It includes five organs of perception (sight,
hearing, smell, taste, touch), and the five organs of action (hands,
legs, tongue, organ of reproduction and organ of excretion). This
sheath has the most dense and lower vibrational frequency. Living
through this layer man identifies himself with a mass of skin, flesh,
fat, bones, and filth. This is referred to as the cage of flesh and
blood in the holy scriptures.
Pranmay
Kosha: This layer of the composed
of the Prana(breath
energy), the vital force that holds together the body and the mind.
Its physical manifestation is the breath. As long as this vital force
exists in the being, life continues. Yogic scriptures mentions the
presence of 72,000 pathways along which the Prana moves in human
body. These pathways cannot anatomically be seen but the existence of
some of them seems to have been proven indirectly by using
acupuncture needles tipped with radioactive phosphorus. The pathways
have been named as Nadis in Yoga.
Manomay
Kosha: This layer refers to the manaa or the mind. The mind along
with the five sensory organs of taste (tongue),smell (nose), vision
(eyes), hearing (ear), and touch (skin), is said to constitute the
Manomaya Kosha. The Manomaya Kosh is the mental faculty that receives
all the sensory inputs, interprets them as good or bad and desires
the good. This Kosha is subtler than the preceding two Koshas and
governs them and is, in turn, governed by the two Koshas superior to
it. It is thus central to human existence.
Vigyanmay
Kosha: The literal meaning of Vijnanamaya refers to the intellect,
the faculty which discriminates, determines or wills. The feeling of
'me' and 'mine', and the faculty of intelligence and reasoning
constitute the fourth of these Koshas. The one with strong Vigyanmay
Kosha can control the mind and have strong will power. When one
closes the eyes and relaxes during meditation, the Manomaya Kosha
becomes quiet and the Vigyanmaya Kosha takes over. In the final
stages of meditation, the intellect becomes stable and mind becomes
still and this is called Samadhi.
Aanandmay
Kosha: The fifth and the innermost blissful layer is in close
proximity of the Consciousness. The Anandamaya kosha or "sheath
of bliss" (ananda) is the most subtle or spiritual of the five
levels of embodied Self. Anandamaya means of ananda, or bliss. Bliss
or ceaseless joy is beyond the layers of physical and mental realms.
This Kosha is the reflection of the divine qualities of the Soul,
namely Sat-Chit-Anand (Eternal-Conscious-Blissfulness).
As
a true seeker progresses in sadhana, he or she begins to spend more
time in the inner realms of Vigyanmay and Anandmay Kosha. In this
manner, the true seeker begins to realize the divine peace and bliss,
within.
Baba,I am only ten years old.I love this blog,and I want to learn more about God.Unfortuntly,I can only understand limited subjects,and a few words are a little challenging for me.Can you please help me in any way?
ReplyDeleteThank You
u definately got ur aim to know god u just persist in this field
DeleteMy dear, you are so adorable. Don't give much emphasis to learning. If God can be attained by learning then Lawyers and Professors will carry Him in their pockets. What is important is your love for God and your passion to know about your own true Self and God. Keep that love and passion alive. Your heart is so pure. God is very close to children because they have pure heart. Keep on praying to God with love and gratitude (for all the blessings your have). In this manner the Truth and true wisdom of the Self will be revealed in your heart on its own, by the grace of the Supreme who is residing in your heart and everywhere. Lots of blessings and love to you ....Om Shanti!
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