The Pancha Koshas - Five energy layers🔗

The concept of pancha koshas was given in the Taittiriya Upanishad. It is one such way to classify the mind-body-spirit system. We have five layers or energy sheaths called pancha koshas. They are symbolized as 5 concentric circles like the layers of an onion, with each layer having a different energy density which ranges from gross on the outermost layer to the subtlest in the center. These layers are not tangible except for the first layer called annamaya kosha. The pancha koshas can also be likened to a journey map showing our progressive spiritual journey towards the pure light of consciousness, the atman or true Self which is hidden by all these layers. The sheaths or layers act as a veil covering the light of the true Self. We will start to realize that all these layers are just illusory, a veil, maya, covering our true Self.

We develop awareness of the physical body in yoga asana practice. Awareness the ability to stand back and become the silent witness of what one's body and mind is doing. With the deepening of awareness, we start to perceive more layers of our existence.

• Annamaya kosha is the sheath of the gross body. It is the actual physical body. (food body)
• Pranamaya kosha is the pranic energy layer, the vital energy layer or sheath. (breath body)
• Manomaya kosha is the mental sheath (mind body)
• Vijnanamaya kosha intuitive sheath (intelligence body)
• Anandamaya kosha this is the most subtle layer. It relates to bliss inside and is closest to our true Self which is eternally pure and unchanging. (bliss body)

The purpose of yoga and the ultimate purpose in human's life is to reach the highest levels of consciousness, beyond the bliss layer, beyond the five koshas.

Annamaya kosha – Physical layer

This layer represents the actual physical body; it represents the gross manifestation of energy as matter which you can see, touch, and feel. The gross body is called sthula sharira. Anna means food, and maya means comprised of. This layer is called the food sheath because the body needs food, water and air for its survival. This sheath is a composite of the five great elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether. If one is predominantly in this layer, he will identify strongly with the body and will be motivated by the desire for pleasure or what feels pleasant. It is our identification with this sheath which results in suffering.

It is essential to take care of this sheath or body and keep it in clean and in good health. It is through a healthy body that one can continue the journey into the deeper layers of awareness. Hatha Yoga through shatkarmas, asana and pranayama is essential to prepare both mind and body to perceive the subtle layers of its existence.

Pranamaya Kosha - Pranic sheath

Pranamaya kosha refers to the pranic energy field or pranic sheath. The pranic sheath is essential for life. If it is absent, there is no life. The prana in the body is part of the cosmic energy. The manifestation of prana is visible in movement, growth, activity, change. Pranamaya kosha can be looked upon as being responsible for all the physiological functions in the body - " breathing, blood circulation, digestion, heartbeat, all hormonal functions, communication between the brain and the cells of the body, etc.

Kirlian photography has captured and demonstrated the presence of this pranic field around the body. This pranic field has been seen to be affected by the health of the body. It was thus concluded that sickness and disease shows up in the pranic layer before it did in the physical body. Kirlian photography also showed mental and emotional states affect the pranic layer, which is something the ancient yogis have known thousands of years ago. Mind affects the breath. Inversely, breath also affects the mind. Positive thoughts and higher feelings lead to higher levels of prana.

Prana is distributed throughout the body via the nadis which are subtle energy channels. There are three main nadis called ida, pingala and sushumna. The nadis are connected to the chakras or energy centers which distribute prana to the nadis.

Prana can be regulated consciously through the breath. The main Hatha Yoga practice to energize and vitalize the pranic layer is pranayama. Pranayama practice indirectly affects manomaya kosha. If the consciousness is predominantly in the pranamaya kosha, one identifies with power and vitality.

Manomaya Kosha – Mental sheath

Manomaya kosha is the mental sheath. This kosha is also known as the lower astral body. It comprises the mind (manas), and the five sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin). Mind is thought and thought is mind. There is no difference between mind and thoughts. The mind is nothing more than the collection of your thoughts, the continuous flow of ideas. Thoughts are no more than the words that you speak to yourself continuously. The mind continuously has thoughts of various things. This is the layer where the constant mental chatter happens.

The thought comes when you are aware of something. Thoughts are brought on by memories, beliefs, conditionings, and emotions. The mind receives input from the five senses, interprets them as good, bad, etc., and directs our actions. Thoughts are powerful and have a direct impact on our physiology moods, energy, and actions. We create impressions in both ourselves and others with these thoughts.

Patterns of thinking, beliefs and attitudes are in this kosha. They are influenced by societal, parental, religious and cultural conditioning. Man's attachment to his ego, his self-identity, is because of the mind.

The mind is the cause of suffering, bondage and the feeling of distance or detachment from his fellow beings when it becomes rigid.

Nithya Yoga practice and techniques using pranayama, asana and the science of completion helps you to understand the mind and overcome the shackles of the mind, to move inward in the journey to the highest level of awareness.

Vijnanamaya Kosha – intuitive sheath

Vijnanamaya kosha is related to our feelings and emotions. It is the sheath for the higher intelligence, intuition and insight which leads to true wisdom. It is different from intelligence. This layer is also known as the higher astral body. Intuitive knowledge has no logic; it is simply an insight with clarity, a deep knowing. You don't know the steps that lead you to the conclusion but you know for sure that your conclusion or decision is right. With intuition, you will have the energy not only to make the decision, but also to execute what you have decided.

When one is able to tap into this kosha, powers or siddhis may express. Telepathy, clairvoyance, experiencing colours and lights during your meditation and dreams during your sleep comes under this layer. This kosha is connected to the collective unconscious realm and is the link between the individual mind and the universal mind.

The practice of yoga especially meditation helps one to perceive this very subtle layer of existence.

Anandamaya Kosha – Bliss layer

This is the layer where one experiences bliss, our true nature. This is the causal or transcendental body. Deep states of meditation will lead one to experience this kosha.

The true Self lies beyond the five koshas. The brief and transitory experiences and glimpses of bliss is still an experience, a happening and thus still not the true Self.