The Koshas

According to yoga, individual consciousness is a partial expression of cosmic consciousness. But in its essence, cosmic consciousness and individual consciousness are one. Consciousness is the ultimate reality out of which mind and matter proceed.

When consciousness desires expression it creates itself a vehicle. In man this vehicle represents mind and body.

Five Sheaths or Koshas of Yoga

The Yoga path of Self-realization is one of progressively moving inward, while at the same time allowing that purity to animate through our individuality. These five levels are called Koshas, which literally means sheath. Maya means appearance, as if something appears to be one thing, but in reality is another.

 All of the levels, layers, Koshas, or sheaths of our reality are only appearances, while also very real in the sense of dealing with the external world. Underneath all of those appearances, we are pure, divine, eternal consciousness, or whatever name we prefer to call it. This is one of the fundamental principles of Advaita (non- dualistic) Vedanta meditation which were discussed in previous sessions.

While some view maya as meaning that nothing is real, others view the illusion of maya as being Shakti, the creative force of the universe. In this way, the maya of the known Koshas is experienced both as unreal and, at the same time, as the beautiful manifestations of the universal oneness.

  

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. In practice, we train this aspect of ourselves, take care of it, and 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 of Annamaya kosha, explore it, and then go inward, to and through the other Koshas.

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 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

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 has doubts, and created illusions.

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 - Jnanamaya kosha

The next of the kosha is Jnanamaya kosha. Jnana means knowing. It is the sheath of wisdom that is underneath the processing, thinking aspect of mind. It knows, decides, judges, and discriminates 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 (sense mind), 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 are underneath, beyond the mind, independent of any reason or stimulus to cause a happy mental reaction. It is simply being, resting in bliss, it is called Ananda. Yet, even this bliss, however wonderful it is, is still a covering, a sheath, 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 is the Self, the eternal center of consciousness, which was never born and never dies. Atman is light itself, though to even describing 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 Tat, in direct experience, it is the goal of Yoga meditation, according to Advaita Vedanta.

The goal of our sadhana or spiritual practices is the highest Joy that comes from the Realization in direct experience of the center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman or Purusha, which is one and the same with the Absolute Reality. This Self-Realization comes through meditation and the study of the Yoga Sutra.