Finding Bliss and Ease with the Koshas
“There are moments, where perhaps without really noticing, we feel totally interconnected with each other or the universe. We may feel deeply in love with our baby, or a partner, or we rest, sunbathing in an almost dreamless state, where we feel totally at ease. Perhaps we pause, engrossed in the view, or a mountain, a star or flower. Each of these states is the experience of Anandamaya kosha – or the state of pure bliss.”
What are the koshas?
The Pancha Koshas, or five sheaths, describe the entirety of the human experience, characterised as five, interlinked layers. The word “kosha” in Sanskrit is a “sheath” because each layer is fitted to the next, like a sword in its scabbard. The koshas describe everything from the most dense material existence, to the existence of pure bliss.
Each Kosha describes a progressively more subtle area of our experience and provide a map to show us how we’re living our lives, which layers of existence we’re occupying. The practices of yoga provide a vehicle to move through these layers with ease, until we can be awake to these different levels of existence simultaneously. This enables us to live with a greater sense of ease, or even freedom, to be who we’re meant to be – to feel empowered to live out our calling, or “dharma”.
Where do the koshas come from?
The Koshas are first described in the “Taittiriya Upanishad” composed approximately in the 6th century BC. The term Upanishads describes a type of poetic work, which often uses allegory or symbolism to attempt to describe some of the esoteric teachings that are so rich within Indian tradition. They are often beautiful and creative writings that describe the direct experience of the speaker or author.
The Taittiriya Upanishad states:
Human beings consist of a material body built from the food they eat. Those who care for this body are nourished by the universe itself.
Inside this is another body made of life energy. It fills the physical body and takes its shape. Those who treat this vital force as divine experience excellent health and longevity because this energy is the source of physical life.
Within the vital force is yet another body, this one made of thought energy. It fills the two denser bodies and has the same shape. Those who understand and control the mental body are no longer afflicted by fear.
Deeper still lies another body composed of discernment. It permeates the three denser bodies and assumes the same form. Those who establish their awareness here free themselves from unhealthy thoughts and actions, and develop the self-control necessary to achieve their goals.
Hidden inside it is yet a subtler body, composed of pure joy. It pervades the other bodies and shares the same shape. It is experienced as happiness, delight, and bliss.
You may feel you have enough work to do looking after your physical body, never mind another four layers of existence! But we actually already know these different aspects of life.
These sheaths are often portrayed as described here in Russian doll style, one slotted into the next. But as you can hear in the description above, these layers are permeable – the body and mind must be animated by the Pranamaya kosha to be alive. Even the most dense layer, the body, is capable of blissful pleasure – in other words an expression of Anandamaya kosha.
At other times when the body bothers us, we feel heavy, lethargic or in pain, or perhaps we are unhappy with our body, so the mind becomes preoccupied or stuck in the realm of “Annamaya kosha”. Other times, we may be troubled by thoughts or emotions that go around and around, as if “Manomaya kosha” holds us captive.
But, when the body feels light, and the mind easeful and unworried, we may have a sense of things being “just right”. There are moments, where perhaps without really noticing, we feel totally interconnected with each other or the universe. We may feel deeply in love with our baby, or a partner, or we rest, sunbathing in an almost dreamless state, where we feel totally at ease. Perhaps we pause, engrossed in the view, or a mountain, a star or flower. Each of these states is the experience of Anandamaya kosha.
If we know that the bliss realm exists, what do we need to do to break down the barriers between the koshas and let the bliss flow?
Physical asana practice, when done with real attentiveness, bridges the first 3 koshas, the mind (as Manomaya) focuses on the body and breath. We move with clarity and intention, and this tames the restless mind.
Once the mind is more stable or clear, Vijnamaya kosha can come to the fore. Often translated as intellect, I find the term “discernment” more useful. Over time, with a steady and consistent practice, we can cultivate this discernment. Instead of the mind, creating a heap of thoughts and feelings (which may be confusing and overwhelming) when we cultivate our discernment we can discover the root cause of each thought, emotion or sensation. In this way we start to untangle some of the “stories” we tend to believe and tell ourselves about our lives.
This means on a neurological level we can start to reroute and create new neural pathways that serve better, not continuing to use the neurological messages and thought patterns that our childhood laid out for us.
This way, we don’t have to lead a life determined by the unconscious thought patterns of a 7 year old! Practicing the discernment of Vijnanmaya kosha means less energy leaks away in repetitive thoughts or actions that no longer suit us. We are able to clarify and manifest our intentions and our ethics, and to live life as an expression of our true selves. Meditation becomes possible once the mind becomes more steady, able to look within. Pranayama practices support this process, expansion of prana, makes it easier to feel ourselves as interconnected beings, expansive and luminous.
The map of the Pancha Kosha can be used to carve a path of freedom. From healthy eating and movement to create ease in the physical body, to appreciating moments of clarity and ease within the mind, and allowing these to happen by sitting for meditation just once a day.
This life, right now.
This very moment has the potential to unfold into its own mini-miracle! Whatever lies in front of you is the most dense expression of something mystical – something that has manifested here on earth, but that still holds stardust, and creative power or spirit.
Take 10 seconds, close your eyes, feel your body, your breath, just feel and settle, and then slowly let the eyes open. Let your eyes see, not seeking anything out, but just appreciating whatever is in front of you. Whether it’s a kettle, or a table or a loved one, let yourself feel the mystery of how it all got to be here right now. Bliss?!
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