In this episode we compare the Vedantic Five Koshas with the Tantric Five-Layers of the Self.

The Five Koshas describe five layers of Self, ranging from the densest part of our being, the physical body, through to the subtlest layer, the bliss-joy body, which is closest to our Divine essence. At first glance this seems almost identical to the Tantric Five-Layered view of Self, which also describes our being as composed of different layers, ranging from the densest to the subtlest.

However, on closer reflection we see that there are some significant differences between these two models. Those differences have important implications for the spiritual aspirant, depending on what kind of spiritual practice and philosophical framework one chooses to work with.

Read more about today’s Tantric Fun Fact on Christopher Hareesh Wallis’s blog: The Eight Limbs of Yoga?… Think Again.

Sources:

Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition. 2nd edition 2013. Mattamayura Press. Christopher D Wallis.

The Five Koshas and the Five-Layered Self: A Comparison. Article by Christopher Wallis. Posted 2015 on his blog Hareesh.org

Panchakosha. Wikipedia

Sri Shankara’s Vivekachadumani. Wikipedia

Vivekacudamani : of Sri Samkara Bhagvatpata : with an English translation of the commentary in Samskrt by Jagadguru Sri Candrasekhara Bharati Svaminah (Sri Samkaracarya of Sarada Pitha, Srngeri). English 3rd edition 1988. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. By Panchapagesa Sankaranarayanan.

Yoga and the Koshas – the Layers of Being. Article by Tracy Cook. Posted on website EckhartYoga.com

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