By Stephanie Bucklin
Throughout my journey of self-awareness, yoga, and energy work, I have come to deeply understand that we are more than just our physical forms. We exist within a complex, interconnected system of energy, thought, emotion, and spirit. Various traditions—from Yoga and Buddhism to esoteric and metaphysical teachings—speak of the five bodies or layers of being that shape our experience. These bodies, often referred to in yogic philosophy as the koshas, give us insight into the nature of existence and how we interact with the world.
By deepening our awareness of these five bodies, we can become more attuned to our personal growth, healing, and empowerment. This awareness allows us to listen to our physical needs, navigate energy shifts, regulate our emotions, cultivate wisdom, and connect with our highest spiritual truths.
The Koshas
In yoga and Hindu philosophy, the five koshas (sheaths) are layers of existence that move from the physical to the spiritual, guiding us toward self-realization. They align closely with the five bodies we discussed.
1. Annamaya Kosha (Physical Body)
The “food sheath,” made of matter, sustained by nourishment and movement.
“From food all beings are born, by food they live, and into food they return.” – Taittiriya Upanishad
2. Pranamaya Kosha (Energetic Body/Etheric Body)
The “vital sheath,” made of prana (life force), governing breath, energy flow, and vitality.
“The vital force, breath, is indeed the life of beings. Therefore it is called the universal life.” – Prashna Upanishad
3. Manomaya Kosha (Mental-Emotional Body/Astral Body)
The “mind sheath,” responsible for emotions, thoughts, and sensory perception.
“As is one’s thought, so one becomes.” – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Body/Mental Body)
The “intellect sheath,” governing intuition, discernment, and deep knowledge.
“When the mind is still, the Self shines forth.” – Mundaka Upanishad
5. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body/Causal Body)
The “bliss sheath,” the most subtle layer, where we experience unity with the Divine.
“He who knows bliss never fears or grieves.” – Taittiriya Upanishad
Each kosha is a step toward pure consciousness (Atman), which lies beyond all sheaths. Yoga, meditation, and self-inquiry help us move through these layers to realize our true Self.
The Physical Body (Annamaya Kosha) – The Temple of Experience
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.”
— B.K.S. Iyengar
The physical body is the most tangible and familiar aspect of our existence. It is composed of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—and serves as the vessel through which we experience life. This body is maintained through food, movement, rest, and care.
Annamaya Kosha
When we listen to our physical body, it tells us what it needs. If we ignore it, we experience pain, fatigue, or illness. But when we nurture it—through yoga, breathwork, exercise, and mindful nutrition—it rewards us with vitality and strength.
My physical body speaks to me when it needs something, and when I listen, I feel deeply in tune with it. Movement, especially yoga, is my way of honoring it. I understand that healing begins in the body, and that being present in the physical form is a sacred act of self-awareness.
The Etheric Body (Pranamaya Kosha) – The Energy Field of Life
“Prana is the breath of life of all beings in the universe.”
— Chandogya Upanishad
The etheric body, or energy body, is the subtle layer of life force (prana) that surrounds and interpenetrates the physical form. It is responsible for vitality, the flow of energy, and the state of our chakras and meridians.
Pranamaya Kosha
This body is influenced by breathwork, energy healing, and our sensitivity to external energies. Those who are highly empathic, like myself, feel the shifts in energy within a room, from other people, and even planetary movements like solar flares.
As an empath, I navigate this body constantly. I can sense energetic shifts before they happen. I feel changes in the Earth’s electromagnetic field, solar activity, and the emotions of people around me. This makes energetic boundaries essential. Grounding, breathwork, and meditation are my tools for maintaining balance.
The Astral Body (Manomaya Kosha) – The Realm of Emotion and Feeling
“Emotions are like waves. Watch them disappear on the vast calm ocean of presence.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
The astral body governs our emotions, desires, and subconscious patterns. It is where “emotion” (energy in motion) originates. When our astral body experiences imbalance, our physical body often reacts—sometimes with tension, heat, or even illness.
Manomaya Kosha
When emotional energy is unprocessed, it can manifest physically. For example, an emotional trigger might feel like fire in the belly—a literal burning sensation caused by the energy moving through the astral plane.
I have learned that the body signals us when the astral body needs attention. A strong emotional trigger can cause heat, rapid heartbeat, or even an aching stomach. But emotional intelligence—our ability to recognize, process, and respond to these triggers calmly—is a sign of growth. When we pause, breathe, and observe our reactions, we reclaim our power over emotions rather than being ruled by them.
The Mental Body (Vijnanamaya Kosha) – The Seat of Awareness and Wisdom
“With our thoughts, we make the world.”
— The Dhammapada
The mental body governs intellect, logic, reasoning, and perception. This is where we cultivate wisdom, discernment, and self-awareness. When our thoughts are scattered, negative, or reactive, our mental body is out of balance. When we bring clarity and intentionality to our thinking, we step into our personal power.
Vijnanamaya Kosha
Recognizing the relationship between thoughts and emotions strengthens this body. When we witness emotions without immediately reacting, we merge the astral and mental bodies, creating space for healing.
Through Buddhist practice and meditation, I have learned that thoughts can either serve or imprison us. Self-awareness means knowing when our mental body is operating from fear or wisdom. Emotional intelligence comes when we recognize triggers, pause, and respond rather than react. This is a form of mastery.
The Causal Body (Anandamaya Kosha) – The Realm of the Soul
“The soul is here for its own joy.”
— Rumi
The causal body is the deepest and most spiritual layer of our being. It holds the blueprint of our soul, our karma, and our purpose. It is the realm of higher consciousness, intuition, and our connection to universal truth.
Anandamaya Kosha
This body is accessed through deep meditation, self-inquiry, and connection with spirit guides, divine wisdom, or the Higher Self. When we engage with the causal body, we move beyond the ego and into a state of pure awareness.
In my twenties, I first connected with my causal body during meditation. I asked my guides, “What is my purpose?” and they responded, “Love.” From that moment, I embraced my role as a Love Warrior, recognizing that the world has long suffered under patriarchal constructs that suppress love and intuition. But as feminine energy rises, as we reclaim our spiritual nature, higher frequencies of love and wisdom will continue to shape our world.
Bringing It All Together: A Path to Wholeness
Understanding the five bodies is a transformative practice in self-awareness. When we become attuned to these layers of existence, we learn to listen, heal, and evolve in deeper ways.
- When we listen to the physical body, we cultivate strength and vitality.
- When we regulate our energy body, we protect our prana.
- When we process emotions, we allow healing to flow.
- When we train our minds, we master perception.
- When we connect with spirit, we awaken to universal truth.
This is the path of self-awareness. This is the journey of integration.
As we walk this path, may we step with presence, power, and love.
What do you notice about your five bodies? Let’s continue this conversation—share your insights in the comments!
Namaste,
~S
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As you explore the five bodies—physical, etheric, astral, mental, and causal—you may begin to notice how each one interacts with your daily life. The Soul Journey Membership is designed to help you navigate this awareness, offering tools and guidance to bring balance, clarity, and spiritual connection to your multidimensional self.
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