The mind kosha

                            

The mind sheath is known as manomaya kosha.

• manas = mind        
• maya   = that which comes forth from the source 
• kosha  = sheath

This is referring to the aspects of mind which have manifested (maya), within the manomaya kosha. In this lifetime.

The manomaya kosha is one of the three sheaths inside of the subtle body. The three sheaths are:

• pranamaya kosha    = our life-force sheath
• manomaya kosha    = our mind sheath
• vijnanamaya kosha  = our astral sheath

The mental sheath sits between our life-force (prana, mauri, chi) sheath, and the sheath which houses the secret world of chakras, kundalini, elements, and spiritual spaces. Like a bridge between the two.

The manomaya kosha needs the life-force to "move", or, to put it an easier way, for it to move in the way in which it does when we are within. In meditation or relaxation. For the contents of the sheath to arise. Come up. And disappear into the ether. 

And it works the other way, too. As the mind-stuff departs us, our life-force can move more easily within our prana sheath. For, the contents of "mind" can impede the movement of prana. Like something being blocked. And it is not the beautiful and happy "mind-stuff" which impedes us. It is our cares, our worries. Our traumas. 

As these so-called "negative" aspects arise in the form of thoughts, and feelings, what follows, what sits underneath all of these, are beautiful pictures, patterns, colours. The "happier" aspects.

And this, I feel, is what the real value of meditation and relaxation is really about. Loosening the ties that bind, in order to reveal the Inner Magic of Oneself. 

And it is also precisely why meditation is so difficult. And why I do not believe that meditation is for everyone. Because up comes our inner "stuff". This can be so difficult and painful for anyone who has suffered badly, to have to face "things" in this way. In this case, meditation seems to just increase the effects of the traumas, by having the traumas come up, over and over, and along with this, comes all of the fears, panic and anxieties behind these traumas. This is not what practising, nor teaching, yoga, is about. And, therefore, care and respect is needed when teaching meditation.

It takes a very long time for anyone to wade through the difficult content of this kosha. We are dealing with our everyday self, at this level. And, what is not generally understood is that the mind stuff, it also exists on a cellular level, and on a DNA level. It is not just what is in our head. No, no, no. It permeates all of us. The contents of this sheath are to do with every part of us. It really helps to stop thinking of The Mind as we know it in the West, to be the Holy Grail of  spirituality. It is only a part of spirituality.

In allowing expression of the contents of this sheath, we are also allowing the deeper aspects of our being: good, bad, and otherwise, to emerge. 

Which brings us to the next kosha, where the chakras reside. It is important to know that our "blockages" are not hidden in the chakras. But, of course, as the life-force increases, and the mental kosha moves so that blockages dissipate, the chakras can start to reveal themselves. 

                            

How to reveal the manomaya kosha

• asanas (postures)
• pranayamas (breathing techniques)
• bandhas (locks) 
• gestures (mudras)
• yoga nidra (deep relaxation)
• dharana (concentration techniques)
• dhyana (meditation) 

They are all intimately involved with this.

But here is a secret: revealing the manomaya kosha, is easier than you think: when you practice yoga, or anything really, allow your feelings and thoughts to arise, and let them also pass you by. Much inner tension, whether physical, mental or emotional, can be safely released this way. 

When you are doing a technique which requires your eyes to be closed, keep doing this, keep allowing the steady stream of consciousness to arise, then dissipate into realms unknown, whilst you do your technique.  And then afterwards, keep the eyes closed, and allow further expression of the manomaya kosha. This period at the end, when we are still in the Inner Realms, but have finished the technique, is vitally important for the release of tensions.

We are not looking for "cutting edge" concentration here. In my opinion that just creates a dam of content within the mind sheath. A relaxed attitude works best.

I shall never forget the period of my life when I was doing a full spectrum of deep yoga techniques, along with an hour of poses, six days a week. Out came a visual and auditory purge (to put it politely and delicately) from the manomaya kosha. It felt like an assault. But this period passed. And, then, up came the beauty. 

All of this is within all of us.