With my devotees we have done so many Self-awareness processes. Through any process of developing Self-awareness we should remember:
Atma experiences the levels of awareness
The five koshas are translated as ‘sheaths’ or layers. In the Upanishad they are described as the five layers of awareness.
1. Food sheath - annamaya kosha
The physical body is made of the 5 elements and is sustained by food and that’s why it’s called the annamaya kosha. Most of us have ample awareness of our physical body. The five senses of action and perception require the annamaya kosha to operate. This kosha sustains the other koshas.
2. Life force energy, vitality - pranamaya kosha
Prana is our life force energy without which we cannot live. This is the most important body. The pranic layer of awareness is our energy and it also builds the immune system. It involves the chakras, vitality and is comprised of 5 vital airs. Each vital air has its own function and movement.
3. Mental body – mannomaya kosha
The mental body is comprised of ‘manas’ or the processing mind; ‘chitta’ or the storing of impressions; ‘ahamkara’ or the ego and ‘buddhi’, the intellect that has discriminatory functions. This is a different framework to the Western medical approach which associates the brain with the mind. In this framework the brain is the organ through which the mannomaya kosha operates but it is not limited to the brain.
4. Wisdom, intuition, knowledge body – vijanamaya kosha
The knowledge or wisdom body is the interconnection with body and mind. It is the witnessing mind not entangled with thoughts and doing. It is awareness of body, mind and beyond. It brings awareness of intuition, solutions, healing, materialisation and knowing.
5. Bliss body – anandamaya kosha
The finest and thinnest veil between ordinary awareness and Soul is the bliss body. Bliss is a state of being, no matter the circumstances (it is not a feeling). Here we encounter ‘sat-chit-ananda’ (truth awareness and bliss) and we become aware of our true nature underlying the illusion of the mind. We experience the unifying state of peace, joy, love, wholeness, we co-create and tap into absolute bliss.
The three spiritual practices that awaken the bliss body are:
1. Seva – opens the heart to our innate unity and oneness
2. Bhakti – opens the heart to the all-pervading Paramatma
3. Dhyana – opens heart to our own divine Atma
The three spiritual practices that awaken the bliss body are:
1. Seva – opens the heart to our innate unity and oneness
2. Bhakti – opens the heart to the all-pervading Paramatma
3. Dhyana – opens heart to our own divine Atma
As our self awareness grows and grows of who we truly are, we will experience that our intuition grows and it becomes more powerful than our monkey mind which will become more calm. Our emotions will transform to intuitive feelings and our desires turn inward, directed to towards the love and bliss that we are.
