Esoteric Body And Pranayama Flashcards
The 3 main nadis
- Ida Nadi
- Pingala Nadi
- Sushumna Nadi
The 5 Koshas
- Annamaya Kosha
- Pranamaya Kosha
- Manamaya Kosha
- Vijnamaya Kosha
- Anandamaya Kosha
3 Dimensions of the Esoteric Body
- Physical Dimension
- Subtle Dimension
- Causal Dimension
The 5 Vayus (flow of prana)
- Prana Vayu
- Apana Vayu
- Samana Vayu
- Udana Vayu
- Vyana Vayu
The 7 Main Chakras (spinning energy centres)
- Muladhara (Root Chakra)
- Swadishtana (Sacral Chakra)
- Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)
- Anahata (Heart Chakra)
- Vishuddhi (Throat Chakra)
- Anja (3rd Eye Chakra)
- Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
Annamaya Kosha - English Translation
Sheath consisting of Food
Pranamaya Kosha - English Translation
Sheath consisting of prana (vital/life force energy)
Vijnanamaya Kosha - English Translation
Wisdom Sheath
Anandamaya Kosha - English Translation
Bliss Body
*no direct translation of Ananda
What are the Koshas?
~5 Sheaths that veil the light of our True Self
~ Series of energetic sheaths that encase the physical form and regulate the health, consciousness and awareness
~ Barrier from realising our true nature, preventing us from merging with Purusha
*the goal is not to get rid of the Koshas but to ALIGN them in order to gain oneness
The 3 smaller Koshas within Annamaya Kosha
- Sthula (Physical) - where one realises the taste and importance of food
- Sukshma (Subtle) - where the effect of food is felt
- Karana (Causal) - where the samskaras of food are preserved
How do you access the Pranamaya Kosha?
- Pranayama
- Nourishment (food, proper sunlight, proper air, clean water, energetic healing modalities like Reiki)
- Spiritual practices
*We radiate whatever state we have in our energetic sheath as it is our attitude that largely affects this kosha
Why is it important to refine our Pranamaya Kosha?
- At this level consciousness mixes with ego
- When pranamaya kosha is spoilt, we can become terribly egotistical
- If balanced it supports self-realisation
Manomaya Kosha - English Translation
The Mind Sheath
In which kosha do the nadis and chakras reside?
Pranamaya Kosha - Energy Sheath
In which kosha is the yogic concept of personality and ego?
Manomaya Kosha - Mind Sheath
In which kosha is the duality between “I” and “you”?
Manomaya Kosha - Mind Sheath
How does one gain mastery of Manomaya Kosha?
Let go of thought patterns that no longer serve us
How do you nourish Manomaya Kosha?
- Sensory Impressions
- Sleep (able to organise the overload of sensory impressions received that day)
- Partaking in activities that energise, stimulate and nurture you
How do you refine Manomaya Kosha?
Mantras, chanting and meditation
*yoga nidra to transcend first two sheaths - allows the programming of the mind to be penetrated and mental patterns and impressions to be worked upon and (one day) released
What occurs in the Manomaya Kosha?
- Processing of thoughts, emotions, instinctual consciousness and perception
- Thoughts and actions happen automatically (no conscious control)
- Mind creates constant judgements and assumptions based on our past impressions
- “Constant commentary” (causes suffering when we get caught up in it)
Which three koshas form part of the subtle body?
- Pranamaya Kosha
- Manomaya Kosha
- Vijnamaya Kosha
True or False: Vijnamaya Kosha forms part of the subtle body?
TRUE
What is the Vijnamaya Kosha composed of?
- The Intellect
- The 5 Sensory Organs
Which Kosha can be simply put as “awareness”?
Vijnamaya Kosha
What does the Vijnamaya Kosha encompass?
- Intuition
- Intellect
- Will
- Discernment
- Determination
What does the Vijnamaya Kosha allow us to do?
- Observe and be witness of our own lives
- Forgive, love, choose, learn, and evolve
- Take full ownership of our lives instead of simply responding to stimuli
- Allows us to take the bird’s eye view, zoom out and develop insight into the eventualities of our choices in order to direct and align with a path that corresponds to our inner values
What is the Vijnamaya Kosha responsible for?
All inner growth and personal development
What three minds are linked in the Vijnamaya Kosha?
- Conscious Mind
- Individual Mind
- Universal Mind
Through which kosha does Universal Knowledge come to the conscious mind?
Vijnamaya Kosha (“psychic mind”)
In which Kosha do we begin to understand that separation and ego are illusions? (A deeper sense of oneness starts to arise)
Vijnamaya Kosha (“psychic mind”)
What happens when the Vijnamaya Kosha is neglected (when connection is lost)?
- We are left living a life of reactions
- Run around on autopilot
- We only see a small slice of a much larger truth
How do we obtain Vijnamaya?
- Asana
- Pranayama
- Meditation
- NB: Yamas and Niyamas (practe self-study and contemplate spiritual truths)
Which kosha is the subtlest of all bodies/sheaths?
Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body)
In which body do you find the Anandamaya Kosha?
The causal body
In which kosha do we experience oneness with all beings?
Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body)
In which kosha is there perfect harmony between physical reality and spiritual bliss?
Anadamaya Kosha
Which kosha/sheath is considered to be the truest divine self or the inner light?
Anadamaya Kosha
How would one describe Bliss (as in Anandamaya Kosha)?
Steady state of being, no matter the circumstance
What is the Anandamaya Kosha responsible for?
- Unconditional Love
- Peace
- Joy
- Oneness
- Complete Unity
How do we connect with the Anandamaya Kosha?
We need to peel away the other sheaths: deep states of meditation and Dhyana
Is Anandamaya Kosha the furthest we can go?
No - it is still a sheath. We need to peel it away to reach Atma (pure consciousness)
What are the nadis?
Energy channels which carry prana
How many nadis are there?
72 000
*These spring from the 3 primary nadis
In terms of the nadis, what is the role of yoga?
- Open and unblock the nadis
2. Direct prana to Sushumna Nadi, enabling the Kundalini to rise, bringing about Moksha
In the esoteric body, what could be described as “our energetic irrigation system”?
The Nadis
*our job to flush these out
What happens when the nadi system is blocked?
Our physical, emotional and mental health is affected
Which two nadis are always fighting for dominance?
Ida and Pingala Nadis
Which nadis does alternate nostril breathing stimulate?
Ida and Pingala Nadis
What does “Ida” mean? (as in ida nadi)
Comfort
What type of energy is Ida Nadi associated with?
Lunar energy
Which nadi has feminine energy associated with a cooling effect?
Ida Nadi
What are the 3 Qualities of Ida Nadi?
- Realm of Sleep
- Realm of Dreaming
- Unseen aspects of the mind
Which nadi is associated with yin?
Ida Nadi
What is the pathway of the Ida Nadi?
- Left Testicle to
- Left Nostril to
- Third Eye (at pituitary gland)
Which hemisphere of the brain does the Ida Nadi corresspond to?
Right Hemisphere
What does the Ida Nadi control?
- All mental processes with its changeable feelings
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
Which nadi controls the parasympathetic nervous system?
Ida Nadi
Which nadi controls all mental processes (with its changeable feelings)?
Ida Nadi
What 4 things happen when Ida Nadi becomes too strong or dominant?
- Tiredness
- Depression
- Introversion
- An inability to see things with a clear perspective
What does “pingala” mean? (as in pingala nadi)
Tawny
Which nadi is associated with solar energy?
Pingala Nadi
Which nadi has masculine, heating energy?
Pingala Nadi
What is the pathway of the Pingala Nadi?
- Right Testicle to
- Right Nostril to
- Third Eye
Which nadi is associated with the left hemisphere of the brain?
Pingala Nadi
What does the Pingala Nadi control?
- All vital processes
- Intellect
2 Qualities of Pingala Nadi
- Realm of growth
2. Outwardly directed activity
What 5 things happen when Pingala Nadi is overused?
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Impulsivity
Which Nadi is Sattva?
Sushmna Nadi
Which nadi is the path to enlightenment?
Sushumna Nadi
What is the path of the Sushumna Nadi?
From the base chakra to the crown chakra
What forms does the Sushumna Nadi encompass?
- Moon
- Sun
- Fire
- Water
*Although it itself is formless
