The Yogic scriptures describe the human being as being composed of four bodies. At the center is the Self. Moving from outer to inner or the gross to the subtle. They are the physical body, the subtle body, the causal body and the supra-causal body. The attributes are kriya to the physical action, Gnana or knowledge, Iccha or will and desire and the most subtle, the state of the Self.

To achieve the state of realization, the individual has to be perfectly balanced in the bodies and energies. The ability to do, think, generate will and to be centered in the state of the Self. An individual can be centered in any one of the outer layers producing separation from the divine iccha, jnana or kriya.

In order to approach the truth, the method of Upaya is a way. We have to understand our malas which are a contraction of will (emotion), contraction of knowledge and a contraction of action. Contractions means desire and acquiring bad karma, these are referred to the impurities or three malas, Karma Mala, Mayiya Mala and Anava mala.

Upayas are the Sadhanas which enable one to become whole and expansive. For Karma Mala the corresponding yoga is called Anavopaya, the way of the body, For Mayiya Mala the corresponding yoga is called the Shaktopaya the way of the mind, and for Anava Mala the corresponding yoga is called Shambhavppaya, the way of pure consciousness.

Extracted from ‘The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism’ by Swami Shankarananda.

Aim Hrim Klim