From an Eastern perspective….the following describes the difference between body, mind, individual soul and Universal Soul/Supersoul (spirit is the Yang/Purusha/father principle and matter or form is Yin/Prakriti/Mother [mater in Latin]).
Koshas - The Five Sheaths that Wrap Your Soul
http://fractalenlightenment.com/33744/spirituality/koshas-the-five-sheaths-that-wrap-your-soul
According to ancient texts, every one of us have energetic layers or sheaths known as ‘Koshas’ that move from the periphery of the body towards the core of the self: the embodied soul. Each layer represents an aspect of our personality.
The koshas provide a framework for conceptualizing ourselves. As we go deeper by way of meditation and other spiritual practices, we peel the layers away one by one like peeling the layers of an onion, to bring our awareness deeper into our bodies, eventually reaching the innermost core, our True Self.
Each layer is an outcome of the energy it feeds on. Starting from the outermost layer, Annamaya kosha is made up of food, Pranamaya Kosha is made up of Prana energy, Manomaya Kosha is formed with the mental thoughts, Vijanamaya Kosha is formed with wisdom and knowledge and the last most significant layer, Anandamaya Kosha is experienced as eternal bliss. Let us understand these layers and their working in detail.
1) Annamaya Kosha, the Food Body
“The infinite is Brahman. From it, from this SELF, space came to be; from space the wind; from the wind, fire; from fire, water; from water, earth; from earth, the plants; from plants, the food; and from food, the body of man. This body of man, composed of the essence of food is the physical sheath of the Self.” ~ Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1)
‘Anna’ means ‘Food’ and ‘Maya’ means ‘made of’ (or projected from), Annamaya Kosha is made up of the food we consume and represents the physical body – skin, muscles, bones, tendons and tissues. The physical identity of a man often consumes him and leads to ignorance. For most people awareness and observation of themselves doesn’t go beyond the level of ‘Annamaya kosha.’ The primary way to impact this kosha is through asanas – this teaches us to go beyond the physical dimension, to be able to feel your body and sense it from within. Once you become more aware about your body, you will feel more grounded and present in the moment.
2) Pranamaya Kosha, the Energy Body
Shvetashvatara Upanishad states, “Man and woman, beast and bird live by breath. Breath is therefore called the true sign of life. It is the vital force in everyone that determines how long we are to live. Those who look upon breath as the Lord’s gift shall live to complete the full span of life.”
After an intense session of yoga, meditation or any type of spiritual work, you might feel waves of energy flowing in your body, you are in contact with the vital energy body or Pranamaya Kosha. Prana or chi moves through the body in a network of energy pathways or nadis. It governs the movement of blood, fluids, digestion, respiration, etc.
Holding the body and mind together as one unit, the vital force is of crucial importance in functioning of the heart & lungs. When it ceases to function your physical body can no longer operate. Conscious breathing or types of Pranayama like alternate nostril, abdominal breathing can increase prana into our system and tone the energy body.
3) Manomaya Kosha, the Mental body
Manomaya Kosha is made up of thought processes, feelings, actions, and our day-to-day sensory impulses and stimulation. It takes care of our instinctual needs, plus it also helps us obtain our individual desires.
Every night when we sleep, Manomaya Kosha shuts down temporarily and regenerates itself. Usually animals operate at this level and even human beings in a state of coma. When in coma, we can observe that the first and second layers are working actively but due to the shutdown of the mental body (third layer) there is no movement.
When you examine the contents of the Manomaya kosha closely, you can often see the patterns, which take the form of repetitive thoughts, in your life in terms of perceptions, reactions and opinions in life. Mantra meditation is a great way to refine and balance this kosha; focused breathing and being centered completely in the present moment will enhance the health of Manomaya Kosha.
The external environment is another significant factor in building & functioning of this layer. When we subject ourselves to constantly positive and happy thoughts, we feed this layer with good vibes. But if we feed it with negative actions and thoughts, it leaves us feeling exhausted.
4) Vijnanamaya Kosha, the Wisdom body (also referred to as the 'Intellect' in the East)
Shvetashvatara Upanishad states “Within the mental sheath, made up of waves of thoughts, there is contained the sheath of wisdom. It has the same form, with faith as head, righteousness as right arm and truth as left. Practice of meditation is its heart, and discrimination its foundation. Wisdom means a life of selfless service. Even the gods seek spiritual wisdom. Those who attain wisdom are freed from sin, and find all their selfless desires granted.”
Only after removing the blockages in the three lower koshas can we experience deeper insight of Vijnanamaya Kosha or the wisdom body. This layer is composed of intuition, awareness, intellect and conscience. It’s when you stop identifying with your thoughts and simply witness your mind. Instead of simply feeling or acting, you choose to feel or act with intention. Vijnanamaya allows us to step back from our current situation and view it from a better perspective; its this sense of inner knowing that comes from the wisdom body.
A person who has an underdeveloped fourth body would be weak in decision making, lack creativity and will have a poor sense of judgement. In Ashtanga Yoga, the practice of Niyamas (not to steal, speak truth, self study, devotion to god, etc.) and yamas (five restraints include Non-Violence, Truth, Honesty, Continence and non-possession), allows us to refine this layer. By way of mantra chanting and meditation too, Vijanamaya Kosha can be experienced.
5) Anandamaya Kosha, the Bliss Body
The inner most layer, right outside your true self (center of consciousness), is Anandamaya Kosha or the bliss body. Its the awareness of being whole and complete, exactly as you are; happiness and joy is your natural state.
It is the final layer standing between individual consciousness and universal oneness; a testimony of the love between Shiva and Shakti. This bliss state is usually experienced in fleeting moments, but can remain for longer periods. It is experienced in those moments when you are fully immersed in that which you are doing, or in a state of deep meditation.
Shvetashvatara Upanishad states “Within it is contained the sheath of bliss, which has the same form, with joy as the head, contentment as right arm, and delight the left. Bliss is the heart, and Brahman the foundation.”
In order to activate this sheath, a deeper level of knowledge, detachment and dedication is required. We experience different layers at different times. Yoga, Pranayama and Mediation when practiced on a regular basis, helps us to balance these bodies subtly and experience our multidimensional nature.
When we practice moderate exercise we activate the outermost layer. With the help of breathing practices, we awaken the Pranamaya Kosha. In a meditative state, we activate the Manomaya Kosha. Furthermore, the intelligent & logical self that is commanding us right now to sit in a place and meditate, needs to be acknowledged and sensed. This acceptance would activate the Vijananamaya Kosha. Finally only after complete realization of the former layers, do we get to access Anandamaya Kosha – the dimension of bliss, wholeness, contentment.
In yoga texts, the five sheaths are combined into three – the physical body (annamaya kosha) is also called, “gross body.” The three middle sheaths (pranamaya, manomaya, and vijnanamaya koshas) collectively comprise the realm of the “subtle/astral body”. The anandamaya kosha is also called “causal body.” (The subtle body gets impressions and karma put upon it throughout our life and is what moves on from one physical body to the next as a caterpillar moves from one grass blade to the next. The state of the next physical body is the result of these impressions and karma. When the subtle body becomes totally empty of impressions through yoga and spiritual practice, the causal body merges back with the Absolute).
As you become more aware and conscious in all of the koshas, you will build a deeper connection with your own ‘self’ that is hidden and shrouded in different layers developed over the years. Yoga has the power to awaken us to our body of bliss!
