The Koshas

The yogic model of the human being is beautifully simple yet wise in its complexity. It elucidates one step at a time so that we progress only when we are ready to do so.

At every turn we run the risk of being tripped up by our own cleverness, like the Buddhist saying goes: if you are too clever, you may miss the point entirely!

So we begin where we can all begin, with the physical body: the annamaya kosha. Through our intelligent alignment in our yoga asanas (postures) we are able to build stability in the physical body, a balance between strength and flexibility that allows us to undertake our chores with minimum distraction. The body therefore is not an obstacle to our progress on the path to enlightenment in fact it is a tool.

Once stable in the physical body we are able to feel a vitality in the energy body, the pranamaya kosha. We can begin to engage with the breathing practices of yoga (pranayama) and the more subtle sensations. A lack of energy is no longer an obstacle on the path to enlightenment and the vitality we feel propels us and lends us inspiration.

As a result of this work we achieve clarity on the mental level, the manomaya kosha; and what greater gift than clarity at this stage?

We are now on the road towards being able to cultivate true intelligence in jnanamaya kosha the wisdom body, in order to connect with the truth in anandamaya kosha, and when we get to know the truth, we shall be one again, this is the bliss body, no more no less.