According to the Yogic system, humans consists of a complex made up of three bodies (shariras):
- Physical Body/ Gross Body/ Sthula Sharira
- Astral Body/ Subtle Body/ Sukshma or Linga Sharira
- Causal Body/ Karana Sharira
These bodies are akin to the three energy centers in Taoism; lower (physical), middle (energetic) and upper (mind/spirit) dantians i.e. jing, qi, and shen respectively.
The three bodies act like a capsule in which the soul resides. These soul-encasements belong to the realm of Maya (illusions) and revolve around Ego (ignorance). As we progress spiritually on the path of self-realization, we move inwards through the three bodies to experience pure bliss at the centre of our consciousness wherein lies the Soul, which is variously known as the Infinite, Truth, Knowledge, or the Bliss Principle. And as we transcend these layers to unite with the Cosmic Self at the core, we annihilate the barriers of ego. This is what we call the expansion of our consciousness.
All our spiritual efforts and practices aim towards overcoming this limitation of ego. Only then are we led to the state of samadhi (bliss). Let’s understand these layers classified by the Yogis as the three bodies.
1. Physical Body/ Gross Body/ Sthula Sharira
The physical vessel is made up of atoms and constitutes of:
- Five gross elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth)
- Five sense organs (nose, tongue, eyes, skin, ears) and
- Five action organs (organs of speech, organs of procreation, organs of defecation, hands, and legs,)
The gross body runs on the fuel of vital energy that performs the physiological functions via the five subtle elements (sound, touch, vision, taste and smell) which creates attachment to the material world through the medium of elements and organs.
A gross body that a soul receives is according to its past actions (prarabdha). This vessel or body is where the soul experiences the pains and pleasure of its past actions and also has the free will and choice to create further actions (karma).
It manifests in the wakeful state (jagritawastha) and can be regulated with exercises, and right eating habits.
2. Astral Body/ Subtle Body/ Sukshma or Linga Sharira
The subtle body is the seat of all our mental faculties and behaviours. It is made up of 8 principles:
- Five sense organs
- Five action organs
- Five subtle elements
- Five vital airs (prana or Ki (life force energy), apana, saman, vyan, udana)
- Four internal organs (ego, mind, intellect and subconscious)
- Ignorance
- Desires
- Karma
The ten organs mentioned here (sense organs and action organs) are different from the gross organs since these are subtle organs linked with the mind. The internal organs gain supremacy due to the ignorance principle. This happens due to the identification of the self as a mind-body entity since we have forgotten about our Infinite True Self.
The function of the astral body is to create desires (kama) and actions (karma).
The…
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