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