Philosophy Term 3 - The Five Kosas (sheaths)
As most of you know, we teach some basic philosophy each term to provide a context to our yoga practice and classes in the studio. This term the subject is the Five Kosas. Below is a summary of the Kosas and a little bit about each one.
The five sheaths are:
Annamaya Kosa resides in the Sthula Sarira (gross body). It is the outer most sheath and is referred to as the physical sheath. It is the starting point on the inward journey. Iyengar says that to that our inward journey we start by making the physical body clean and fit by the practice of asanas. Annamaya Kosa is the most concrete sheath. By aligning the physical structures of the body in asana we experience stability. The three gunas are expressed through the five sheaths. The quality of the physical body is mainly dense (Tamas). We initially have to work hard to overcome inertia and master the physical body. We work in asana to make the physical body fit and healthy to act as the vehicle of the soul.
Pranamaya Kosa or the energetic body is the sheath where we start to cultivate the breath and emotions. Pranamaya Kosa refers to the respiratory system, the circulatory system, digestive, endocrine, excretory and reproductive systems. In this sheath we are working to integrate breath with movement in the asanas. Prana carries awareness so when we work in this sheath it doesn’t just mean to practice Pranayama. Together with Manomaya Kosa and Vijnanamaya Kosa, this sheath forms the Suksma Sarira (the subtle body), which is the link between the spiritual and physical bodies.
Manomaya Kosa or the mental body, involves awareness, feelings and judgements made not as a result of subjective experience. Actions and reactions that take place in Mano maya Kosa and Pranamaya Kosa are not known. Iyengar says this middle body is a trouble maker. The physiological and psychological sheaths are affected by the klesas and vritti (afflictions and fluctuations of consciousness). These two sheaths can only be brought under control by cultivation of intelligence of the inner mind.
Vijnanamaya Kosa is the mental process of reasoning and judgement derived from subjective experience. Reactions in the consciousness are felt across the Suksma Sarira ie the nervous system, excretory system and all the other systems of the body. Working in asana and pranayama can bring subjective knowledge from subjective experience. By working with Iyengar’s method, that is using technique, timings, repetition and sequencing we can develop subjective experience from our practice.
Anandamaya Kosa is the divine body or the body of bliss and is the innermost sheath. If Suksma Sarira can be worked with to become clear, then we can experience Samadhi. Samadhi cannot be explained but only experienced as a result of the inward spiritual journey, which commences with the outermost sheath and our first Trikonasana. Iyengar says that to be in perfect balance is to be in a place of permanent meditation (LOL). He also says that even if you reach this point you cannot stop practising. Samadhi is not the end point. Samadhi is truth. It is the culmination of integration and harmony across the sheaths through persistent practice.
I hope this gives some background to the Kosas and allows you to think about them in relation to practice.
Namaste
Tricia
