A spiritual toolkit to access the human system of 5 layers. body energy mind self and bliss!

Background

Many sanatana sampradayas or sects give a combination of tools by way of practises, however a logical reasoning of why these practises were given is missing for most followers. This content may give you a insight of understanding the rationale behind the pracitses you are doing or discover new practises, depending on the layer you are accessing.

Transcending the 5 Layers of Existence.

Crossing the layers of

• the body, energy, mind, the triad

• identity and bliss, the duet.

to reach the true self is the goal.

First 3 koshas are group 1 and the other 2 are group 2. The goal is to move from group 1 to 2. This means transcending the mind, which is a very difficult task!

4 Margas of sanatana dharma

In sanatana dharma, 4 broad margas are specified.

• Karma - Action taken as per the scriptures.

• Yoga - 8 Steps of Yoga.

• Gyana - Knowledge about the self

• Bhakti - the love and devotion based approach.

Use the right tool for the right layer

​I see these are 4 tools to cross over the 5 layers. Lets say, you want to open a machine, you will need a screwdriver, a plier, a spanner and a hammer for this project. Each has its own function.

You can accomplish the project with one tool, but it is wise to use multiple tools suited best to each stage. When a person transcends a kosha, he has equal progress automatically in all margas. The key here is to shorten the time by using a particular marga. Just relying on a single marga can take a lot of time.

1: Annamaya Kosha - The Body Layer

• Karma Marga: Purification process, sovale, bath, gomutra prashan.

• Yoga Marga: Neti Dhauti Bhasti Kapalbhati and other cleansing processes

• Gyana Marga: Bath. Feel fresh and alert to imbibe knowledge

• Bhakti Marga: Bath, No Alchohol and No Non veg, Anything that dulls the mind, Fasting to focus the mind

Recommendation: Yoga Marga: Though these practises are common across the 4 margas, each has a different way to purify the physical state, you can use any of them. However from fitness viewpoint, Yoga is the best suitable for this as it provides the foudation for the next layer.

All methods are simple here. For shuddhi kriyas, yoga processes like dhauti, neti, kapalbhati etc can be used.

2: Pranamaya Kosha - Energy Layer

• Yoga Marga: Pranayama controls the prana - breath that controls the mind, the path to transcend this kosha. If stuck, the person goes behind siddhis, occult powers.

• Bhatkimarga. When a devotee is emotional, the breath virtually stops, the kumbhak happens automatically.

Recommendation: Yoga marga is best suited for this stage. Only basing progress on yoga marga will need you be a monk, which is not possible in day to day life.

The simplest way is to increase the exhale and hold practise. Also known as the bahyakumbhak.

3: Manomaya Kosha - The mind Layer

• Karma Marga: Mantras, yagnas, homas, chanting, with specific vibrations that pacify or channelise the 4 aspects of the mind. Karma marga is not taking day to day actions (dont confuse it with the word karma).

• Yoga Marga: The temptation to use yogic powers to give benefit to others or to self, to seek self glory by miracles is a trap.

• Bhakti Marga: The responsibility of wellbeing is given to someone else (guru/god).

Recommendation - Karma Mara, Esp the Mantra as best suited. Istha daivata mantra, saves time and has fast results. Mantras can bring siddhis, be careful, otherwise, you will be trapped in the attraction to siddhis.

Powerful mantras, processes like Gayatri, rudra path, homam, Japam, done consistently have the power to sharpen the mind. However, they need

Mantras to ajapajapa to soham to aum is the journey of vibrations.

The simplest way is to hear eternal aum at all times, directly, saving this process.

Delving deep into the subconscious mind, finding and removing limiting beliefs, affirmations, gratitude, forgiving, journals, are key practises to align the mind in the right direction.

4: Vigananamaya Koasha - Knowledge of the self

• Yoga Marga: The stage of pratyahara, akin to climbing a cave, upside down is difficult, same as conrolling the senses. Can't be done in modern day to day life in the city. Leaving everything and going to the mountains is not possible for most people.

• Gyana Marga: Knowledge of the aum, the self, the 4 states and the brahma vakya. Aham bramasmi, right now, right here. Adwaita vedanta provides this insight.

• Bhakti Marga: Doubts regarding the god/guru pull you back as it is dependent on faith, not logic. Mind being unstable, creates doubts in the mind.

Recommendation: Dwell into the knowledge of self with Gyana Marga.. Adwaita vendanta has the most powerful foundation to move to group 2. The simplest sources here is mandukya upanishad and nirvanashatakam.

5: Ananadmaya Kosha - the blissful state

• Yoga Marga: Samadhi is formless. There is no attachment. Nothing can not love nothing!

• Bhakti Marga: After gyana, the real bhakti starts, the nirguna roopa of gyana is also the saguana rupa of bhakti.

Recommendation: Nothing other than love remains here all the knowledge, power, purity, dissolves in love for god. Bhakti marga is the fastest way to transcend this domain.

The simplest process here is the shiv Manas Puja.

Ultimately, you realise that there is no seperate self! That is self realization! What a paradox!

This brings us to the dual purpose of life. Jeevanmukti and sarva loka kalyanam!

Blessing:

May you hasten the journey of self discovery by using the right tool at the right stage to discover your true self within, using the simplest process given for each kosha.