According to the Taittiriya Upanishad, a human being is composed of five sheaths or layers of existence, known as koshas. These include the physical body, the vital energy or life force, the mind, the higher intellect, and the bliss body. It is believed that these koshas represent the transformation of pure consciousness into energy and matter. From this eternal and infinite source, intelligence arises, giving rise to the mind, breath, and body, which remain inseparably connected—what affects one inevitably influences the others.
Furthermore, it is said that our own cosmic anatomy mirrors the structure of the universe. The universe itself is formed from five subtle elements—earth, air, fire, water, and space—which manifest in different forms, from inanimate objects to plants, animals, human beings, and ultimately, the divine reality, Brahman.
In Advaita Vedanta, only Brahman, the Absolute, is considered real, while everything else is regarded as Maya, or illusion. When we identify solely with this illusion, we lose awareness of our true nature. The Mandukya Upanishad describes four levels of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and bliss. It also outlines four key functions of the mind—perception, memory, discrimination, and ego (the sense of “I”). An imbalanced mind can disrupt the body’s energy systems, affecting the flow of prana (vital energy).
As prana moves through nadis (subtle energy channels), it converges at various points in the body known as chakras or energy centers. When the mind is disturbed, these chakras can become imbalanced, restricting the free flow of prana and potentially leading to physical or mental ailments.
The Samkhya tradition of Hindu philosophy describes reality in terms of Purusha (pure consciousness) and Prakriti (the material world). Prakriti consists of three fundamental qualities, or gunas:
- Tamas (inertia, darkness, heaviness)
- Rajas (activity, restlessness, passion)
- Sattva (clarity, purity, illumination)
When these gunas become unbalanced, they can affect the body’s energy and, in turn, manifest as physical or mental imbalances.
For yogis, the ultimate goal is to transcend the layers of the koshas and attune to the unchanging, absolute reality beneath them. There are various methods to cultivate this awareness, one of the most well-known being the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These ancient texts outline ethical, physical, and mental disciplines aimed at restoring harmony and stillness to the mind, allowing the direct realization of truth.
Patanjali’s system of Ashtanga Yoga, or the “Eight Limbs of Yoga,” provides a structured approach to achieving this. Hatha Yoga follows this lineage, emphasizing physical postures (asanas) as a means to develop body awareness on both a physical and energetic level. Through breath awareness and controlled breathing techniques (pranayama), the body’s energy channels can be purified, facilitating the free flow of prana and bringing balance to both body and mind. As the mind becomes still, moments of deep joy and bliss arise, ultimately leading to a profound awareness of the Absolute. With dedicated practice, this awareness unfolds naturally.
