The Yogic Anatomy of the Koshas:  The Anandamaya Kosha and Deep Rest

The Anandamaya Kosha, the subtlest of the koshas, bodies, sheaths, or dimensions is commonly translated as the “Bliss Body” .  Commonly is an important adverb here – as “nanda” is joy in form and “a” is often creates an opposite.  So, bliss, yes, but bliss beyond form. For starters we may want to distinguish between the state of ecstasy that can be achieved by high vibing our practices through drugs, music, endorphins, and exuberance – and the state of ecstasy which is Ananda.  Form bliss is not bad.  “Beyond form” bliss just does different things.  The nature of the Anandamaya Kosha is akin to a subtle sweet flickering sense of joy.  This sense of joy arises from the experience of wholeness that is characteristic of this beautiful dimension.  It is the origin of all healing, the resolution of  pain and trauma, and the understanding of our place in the universe – that we are infinitely unique, genuine, and valuable.  And so is everyone else.  If we are in touch with the Anandamaya Kosha we don’t have to force, cultivate or practice such a perception.  We experience it continuously and directly.  There is no perception of competition in the world as true sparkling confidence emerges.

 The Anandamaya Kosha is timeless.  I once apologized to a student for a short śavāsana (Corpse Posture) at the end of class. “No problem”, he responded,  “When I’m in śavāsana I’m in a timeless space  – so as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter whether it was 2 minutes or 10.”   Good point!  So, why does the amount of time that we spend in śavāsana or meditation – immersing ourselves in the Anandamaya Kosha – matter?

The koshas aren’t layered upon one another, but co-existent – like light, sunbeams,  oxygen molecules and wind – they influence our life experience in an integrated way.

In the Anandamaya Kosha – in that space of wholeness – all the experiences that fracture us don’t exist (sadness, fear, lack of self-worth).  The time we spend in the Anandamaya Kosha is a time of deep rest for all aspects of our being.  Resting in the Anandamaya Kosha there are no mental gymnastics, no triggers to the nervous system.  For whatever amount of time we are there.   This is why everybody looks 10 years younger after a retreat.  It is a rest in deep peace.

Practice Tips

1.  Practice śavāsana or Yoga Nidra practice.  Use a timer to avoid being worried about time.
2. Meditation.  Once again – use a timer to avoid being worried about time.