Swami Niranjananda gives the best explanation. My experience is that every time I read the writings of the Masters, I find that I learn something new or my understanding gains more clarity. My Guru, Swami Satyananda said to me, ‘Be curious, inquisitive and have an open mind.’ I have followed his wise advice and along the path have been finding more and more precious insights, which I can share with you, dear ones.

Koshas are sheaths and there are five layers of existence that compose us. Annamayakosha is the physical body, made up of flesh, blood, muscles and bones. It is nourished by food. Pranamayakosha is the vital energy, breath or life force sheath and it is maintained by the prana. Manomayakosha is the mental body, related to thoughts, feelings and emotions. Vijnanamayakosha is the wisdom body, containing knowledge, intuition, conscience and will. It is also known as the astral or psychic body. Anandamayakosha is the subtlest of all layers and is the body of bliss. Our koshas are awakened and energised through regular one sadhana.

Be free to move around

Swami Niranjanananda compares the working of prana to the gears in a car. There are five gears. One moves from one gear to another and one comes to neutral. The neutral gear is the most powerful gear and one can consider it a pathway, through which can go to any gear. When one is in neutral, one is free to move around.

However, if it is in a specific gear, then one has to follow the rules. There are five koshas and they are defined as annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, vijnanamaya and anandamaya. However, prana is not a separate kosha. It is the neutral gear which connects each of the koshas. The pathway is pranic. You experience the different koshas, and each time go through pranamaya kosha.

To comprehend this, we must understand the Samvrit pranayama. Inhalation, is intake of prana, pause is digestion at all levels, exhalation is flushing out of physical and negative energies and use of the senses. Pause is after exhalation and this is recharge of the system.

Samvrit Prana Sadhana

Inhale to count of five, pause to count of five, exhale to count of five, pause to count of five. This is one round. Practice 27 rounds, counting backwards. No errors. You can add your mantra or Soham. You can use a mala also.

Aim Hrim Klim