The Physical and the Subtle Bodies

 

The Physical and the Subtle Bodies

We all know that the physical body which we adorn since birth is our vehicle to endure – enjoy our karmas and move towards liberation during the current lifetime. The Bhagwad Gita describes the subtle body as a combination of the mind, intellect and the ego and that it is the subtle body that control the physical body. More than 95% of the world’s population is not even aware of the subtle body as they live their gross physical lives in a state of spiritual ignorance, without understanding the core purpose of why they have taken birth!

In our physical plane of existence, we all take birth and go through the motions of living based on our past karmas – we may be born in a poor family, live as orphans, be born rich, born with some physical or mental deficiency, etc. But after taking birth in whichever layer of society, we live our lives and strive to better our lot and go up the societal chain through hard work, dedication etc. There are some who try short cuts and fail and face the consequences of their actions. The physical plane is thus a very touchy-feely plane where emotions are in control and human beings have a very uni-dimensional outlook to life.

It takes some shock or personal tragedy most of the times to direct a person in the spiritual direction. For a very few the spiritual aspect is inborn based on their past life karma and such people start following this path pretty early in life. The difference between the physical and the subtle becomes more and more clear as one progresses on the spiritual path. Many find Masters who guide them on their way to liberation. But the journey to one’s inner abode has to be traveled alone – your Master or Guru will not come to guide you – you yourself have to establish that last mile connectivity!

Through the practise of yoga and meditation we start cultivating an understanding of the subtle body as a result of which it helps in understanding the reactions, responses and a sense of the self. Each body has layers of awareness that hide the true self. As the meditator discovers each layer and removes it, he/she moves closer and closer to oneness with the universe and his/her true self. As awareness of each body develops, one moves closer to understanding the true Self or Atma and forges a connection with universal energy, or Brahman.

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