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I hope you enjoy the practices and additional information for further exploration.
About the Koshas
Based on Vedanta philosophy, the koshas are the five layers of awareness that veil our true selves. Prominently outline in the Taittiriya Upanishad, the koshas serve as a framework of self-realization that progressively moves inward. This framework describes our existence as more than our bodies, energy, mind, wisdom and joy. These components are impermanent- changing all the time. But who we are at the core, our truest and highest self(atman), remains the same.
The Sanskrit word “kosha” means sheath or layer. The Sanskrit word “maya” means illusion, which speaks to the changing nature or false identification we can sometime attribute to each layer. In terms of structure, each of the layers is contained within the other, like the layers of an onion, or Russian nesting dolls.
Our grossest layer, the physical body consist of the food and nutrients we take in (annamaya kosha). Inside the physical body, is a layer made of subtle energy (pranamaya kosha). Within the energy layer is the layer comprised of our thinking and processing mind (manomaya kosha). Within that layer, lies another comprised of wisdom and intellect (vijnanamaya kosha). Within that layer, the fifth layer is sourced in pure joy (anandamaya kosha). Because all five koshas are interconnected and interactive, what happens on one level has a ripple affect on the other koshas.
Our awareness of the five koshas provide fertile ground for our personal practice, recognizing and honoring each layer for what they are. We can examine the koshas by identifying specific obstacles and exploring underlying themes within our existence.
Through skillful inquiry into each kosha with compassion, awareness and curiosity, we can invite stability, vitality, clarity, insight, bliss on our journey to connect to our truest and highest self. Moving through each kosha provides inward illumination on who we are, while providing us an opportunity to be gentle with all the parts of ourselves.
The Koshas at a Glance
Annamaya Kosha
We work toward stability in the Annamaya Kosha
About the Annamaya Kosha:
Annamaya kosha, as our physical-material body, is the vehicle for the other koshas and the atman. This kosha is the the grossest part of our experience and it is comprised of the food and nutrients we consume. The annamaya kosha is often associated with the earth element. Proper nourishment, movement, rest all work towards enlivening the annamaya kosha. As we work with this layer, we can acknowledge that the annamaya kosha is our initial access point for our spiritual practice. When we connect to a sense of stability and body awareness, it becomes easier to focus more on the inner experiences.
Practice:
Body Relaxation Practice
Pranamaya Kosha
We work toward vitality in the Pranamaya Kosha
About the Pranamaya Kosha:
The pranamaya kosha, the second of the five sheaths, represents the flow of life force or subtle energy through our physical body. The breath can be one of the most readily available ways to build an intentional relationship with our subtle energy in this layer. Our breath can influence the pranamaya kosha as a force of change and transformation. Subtle energy supports, animates and nurtures our being through our chakras, nadis, and prana vayus, all of which are housed within this sheath.
Practice:
Viloma Breathing Practice
Manomaya Kosha
We work toward clarity in the Manomaya Kosha
About the Manomaya Kosha:
The manomaya kosha, the third of the five sheaths, represents the thinking mind, inclusive of our thoughts, emotions, and memories. Often known as our lower mind, the world is processed through this sheath. The manomaya kosha is where the experience of our senses lives, in addition to the ego and perception of self. In the examination of this sheath, focus and clarity can help influence the fluctuations of mind within this sheath.
Practice:
Mindfulness Meditation Practice
Vijnanamaya Kosha
We work toward insight in the Vijnanamaya Kosha
About the Vijnanamaya Kosha:
The vjijnanamaya kosha, the fourth of the five sheaths, represents the presence of intuition and the witness, which connects us to the power of judgement or discernment. This sheath is recognized as higher intelligence or our higher mind. awareness, wisdom and deeper insight into ourselves and the world around us. In our connection with this sheath, allows for ability to discriminate and make choices. We gain a deeper sense of personal power, gaining a clearer glimpse of the world as it really is.
Practice:
Sound Bath for Peace In Uncertain Times
Anandamaya Kosha
We work toward pure joy in the Anandamaya Kosha
About the Anandamaya Kosha:
The anandamaya kosha, the fifth of the five sheaths, represents equanimity, peace, and inwardly sourced joy. The Anandamaya Kosha all things unity, unconditional love, peace, oneness with self and the Universe. In this subtlest of sheaths, we experience a returning to home to ourselves. The qualities represented within this sheath is less about the feeling, and more about what is experienced and embodied. That experience often can be realized through surrender and non-attachment.
Practice:
Yoga Nidra for Deep Connection & Rest
The Atman
Our truest self
About the Atman:
The Atman is distinct from the five Koshas, nestled at the center of our being. The atman, or soul, is our truest Self - unchanging, eternal and conscious. This pure manifestation is beyond the ego and at one with the Divine.
Practice:
Sound + Rest to Reconnect to Our Basic Goodness