​Being Doing and Having and the 5 Koshas, the key to understanding the self.

Doing Having and being

The key to understanding the self. The journey is summarised by the transformation from

Doing having and being

To

Being doing and having!

A simple but profound change.

Life is all about not being attached to the result and in "Being", "Doing" and "Having". In that sequence!

Getting the sequence right is the key!

Most people think they have to do something to get something to be happy. This way, one is never happy, because, it is dependent on having something. And nothing material lasts for ever. So the happiness linked to having is also fleeting, not steady. Not eternal.

There was a man who did not even have any ice-cream for 40 years and saved every penny to build his retirement home. His idea of being happy was watching the sunset by his riverside home, post retirement. Surely, he did it. But slowly, after the first few days, the level of happiness decreased and finally after a week or so, there was little joy left. He wondered if the sacrifices he made for a lifetime, did not enjoy the small pleasures of life, were worth it?

Based on your own experience, what do you think gave you happiness... Only to realise that it was not eternal...

We think, saving x amount of money, buying the new car, getting a bigger house, having a beautiful relationship, will make one happy. (Not even a relationship can create ever lasting happiness, though it comes at a higher level, where emotions are concerned).

The mind always seeks something new, something different. Uncertainty is a basic human need! Something new, something unexpected but pleasant, if what mind the seeks. (That explains the gifting industry!)

Here are some of the things one would actively seek or avoid, based on the roles one plays

Being doing and having

Actually one can be happy, and do something and accept whatever the result is. This is completely different way of looking at things. A new perspective.

To do this, one has to be clear about self, roles, desires, emotions, working of the mind... Which takes study and patience, but is easily possible.

You can read more about this here...

https://www.limaye.org/post/silencing-the-ego-minds-driver-creator-of-desires-and-generator-of-emotions-by-the-mind-model

Layers of existence

There are 5 fundamental layers of existence: These are divided into 2 groups: as given below.

being doing and having, or rather the subtle change and difference of doing having and being, as the key. Let's explore further.

The sequence changes as you move from group one to group two, automatically, effortlessly. It can not be intellectualized or understood. Its a shift that happens, on its own.

The sequence really depends on which group you operate in.

Group 1: Operating in doing having and being mode

• Annamaya Kosha. The state of physical existence.

• Pranamaya Kosha. The state of energy

• Manomaya kosha. The state of feeling

Group 2: Operating in being doing and having mode

• Vigyanamaya kosha. The state of awareness.

• Aanand maya kosha. The blissful state.

Level 1: Annamaya Kosha. The state of physical existence.

When the gross body is the kosha of existence. Most of the people live here in this kosha, looking for physical comforts.

• Doing: does actions of the 5 karmendriyas or action organs (which are grasping, walking, talking, excretion and reproduction).

• ​Having: One strives towards material belongings and avoids having material losses.

• Being: Here, the focus is on the body, One likes to be comfortable like sitting in an air conditioned cabin, on a sofa, whatever is comfortable to the body. These are like primal needs of eating, sleeping, mating and surviving with fear... As the underlying emotion.

Level 2: Pranamaya Kosha. The state of energy

When the existence becomes a bit more subtle. And crosses over to the energy domain.Here the energy becomes the key factor.

• ​Doing: One likes doing things in yogic practices or healing actively and avoids laziness naturally.

• Having: Having progressed in the energy domain, one develops the power to heal self and sometimes others also. Via various healing modalities.

• Being: Irrespective of the state of the body, there is an inclination to be energetic and avoid being lethargic. This itself is a big change in being. Here upliftment is the driver.

Most of the beginner yoga practitioners and energy healers operate in this domain. Work with Prana operates here. Breath, chakras, energy flow are all here.

The practitioner feels the postive, negative energies etc. So doing the practices, activates energies, that makes one feel spiritual experiences and ultimately feel happy. But this does not last. As soon as the meditation session is over, the effect wears off too..

Level 3: Manomaya kosha. The state of feeling

In this level, one has mastery over the mind, knows its working and can harness its power to get results.

• Doing: Actions that make one happy are the focus and the ones that make one sad are avoided (example filing tax returns). Focus is usually on the self and immediate family and friends.

• Having: Objects that make you happy. (new home) and sought out and the Objects that make one unhappy (a report card where you have not done well) are avoided.

• Being: One likes to be happy and avoids being sad. the happiness usually comes from fulfilling needs as identified by Tony Robbins (4 needs) Namely: Certanity, Uncertanity, Significance and Connection. The intellectuals, and the successful operate here. Here happiness is the driver. But the paradox is that one can never be happy in this mind domain, as it's ever changing!

Level 4 and 5: Vigyanamaya kosha. The state of awareness. and Anandmaya Koshas the state of Bliss

The state of nothing and everything. The State of zero and infinity. The State of saguna and nirguna! The dual state!

• The clarity of the self that is "nothing" is the gateway to the anandmaya kosha.

• The dwelling of nothing and everything, zero and infinity is in this group.

• Together it represents the self and consciousness... This is a domain of not seeking anything, yet having everything!

The self lies beyond these 5 koshas, but is experienced in the 4th and 5th Koshas.

Actually, self realization is... That there is no self! Its only universal consciousness, which is manifested everywhere!

Here the being doing and having is very interesting.

• Being is always blissful, connected with internally, in eternal anhata naada to hold and anchor the mind.

• Doing is without fear and greed, following what needs to be done is done. Its result oriented but without attachement or aversion to the result.

• Having is with full acceptance. Whatever happens it is accepted. There is no right or wrong. It is not linked to karma, rebirth etc.

Blessing

May you transcend the first three koshas and dwell into the next two koshas, to realise that you are the manifestation of aum and aum itself!