We humans are like a lamp that has nine lampshades
over our light. Each of the lampshades is a different color and density. As the
light shines through the lampshades, it is progressively changed in color and
nature. It is a bitter-sweet coloring. On the one hand, the shades provide the
individualized beauty of each lamp. Yet, the lampshades also obscure the pure
light.Ph
Physical - Annamaya kosha
Anna means food. All of
the physical aspects of life come and go, and are consumed by another aspect of
external reality. Thus, the outermost of the koshas is called the sheath of
food, or Annamaya kosha.
By meditation, we train this
aspect of ourselves, take care of it, nurture it, so that we can both enjoy our
external lives and go inward without it being an obstacle during meditation
time. In meditation, we become aware, explore it, and then go
inward, to and through the other koshas(layers).
Energy - Pranamaya kosha
The next of the koshas is Pranamaya
kosha. Prana means energy. It is the vital force that produces the
subtle vibrations related to breath, and which are the driving force behind the
physical aspect of the senses and the operation of the physical body. It allows
the invisible indweller, our True Self to be able to animate in the external
world. At the same time, however, it allows the eternally still, silent center
of consciousness to be mistakenly identified as the moving, visible physical
body.
For both a healthy life and the
practice of meditation, Vedanta says that it is very useful, or essential that
this level of our being be trained, regulated, and directed, so that it flows
smoothly. In meditation, we become aware of Pranamaya kosha, explore it, and
then go inward, to and through the other koshas.
Mental - Manamaya kosha
The next of the koshas is Manamaya
kosha. Mana means mind. It is the level of processing thoughts and
emotions. It is in direct control of the operation, through the prana, of the
physical body and senses. It is like a supervisor in a factory, in that it gives
instructions, but is not supposed to be the manager of the factory of life.
Because of this, it naturally has doubts, and created illusions. When it
receives clear instructions from the deeper level, it functions quite well.
However, when it is clouded over by its illusions, the deeper wisdom is clouded
over.
After taking care of the physical
body and training the energy flow of prana, the most important part to be
trained in positive ways is this level of mind. In meditation, we become aware
of Manamaya kosha, explore it, and then go inward, to and through the remaining
koshas.
Wisdom - Vijnanamaya kosoha
The next of the koshas is Vijnanamaya
kosha. Vijnana means knowing. It is the sheath of wisdom that is
underneath the processing, thinking aspect of mind. It knows, decides, judges,
and discriminates between this and that, between useful and not useful. It is
also the level of ego consciousness, meaning the powerful wave of I-am-ness.
This I-am-ness itself is a positive influence, but when it gets co-mingled with
the memories, and is clouded over by the manas, it loses its positive
strength.
A major part of sadhana (spiritual
practice) is gaining ever increasing access to this level of our being. It is
the level that has the higher wisdom to seek Truth, to go within, in search of
the eternal center of consciousness.
Bliss - Anandamaya kosha
Anandamaya kosha is the most interior
of the koshas, the first of the koshas surrounding the Atman, the eternal center
of consciousness. Ananda means bliss. However, it is not bliss as
a mere emotion experienced at the level of the sheath of mind. Ananda is
a whole different order of reality from that of the mind. It is peace, joy, and
love that is underneath, beyond the mind, independent of any reason or stimulus
to cause a happy mental reaction. It is simply being, resting in bliss
called ananda.
Yet, even this bliss, however
wonderful it is, is still a covering, a sheath, a lampshade covering the pure
light of consciousness. It is the subtle most of the five koshas. In the silence
of deep meditation, this too is let go of, so as to experience the
center.
Atman - Self
Atman is the Self, the
eternal center of consciousness, which was never born and never dies. In the
metaphor of the lamp and the lampshades, Atman is the light itself, though to
even describe it as that is incomplete and incorrect. The deepest light shines
through the koshas, and takes on their colorings.
Atman, the Self, has
been best described as indescribable. The realization of that, in direct
experience, is the goal of Yoga meditation, Advaita Vedanta, and Tantra
practices taught in the Himalayan tradition.
