In the journey of self-discovery and healing, I recently encountered a profound realization the root of my emotional turmoil was deeply embedded fear. This insight and guidance from my Guru and supportive friends opened a pathway to deeper understanding and transformation.
Integrating the Panchakosha Theory
The Panchakosha theory provides a holistic understanding of our being, from the physical to the blissful sheath. By working through each sheath, we can achieve a state of balance and harmony.
- Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath): Through a healthy diet and physical practices like asanas.
- Pranamaya Kosha (Vital Energy Sheath): Through pranayama to regulate the flow of prana (life force).
- Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath): Through meditation, mindfulness, and addressing deep-seated fears.
- Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Sheath): Through self-inquiry and gaining insights from spiritual texts.
- Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath): Through realizing our true nature and experiencing inner bliss.
The Manomaya Kosha and Emotional Turmoil
The Vedantic philosophy outlines five koshas, or sheaths, that cover our true self, the Atman. The manomaya kosha, or the mental sheath, encompasses our thoughts, emotions, and cognitive processes. It is within this sheath that our fears and emotional disturbances reside.
Personal Experience and Realization
Recently, during my menstrual cycle, I experienced significant emotional upheaval. Through contemplation and guidance, I realized that the root cause of this turmoil was a deep-seated fear. This fear had been conditioned by past experiences and attachments over the past seven months, transforming into stress (adhi) and manifesting as a physical and emotional disease (vyadhi).
Healing Through Pranayama, Meditation, and Svadhyaya
To address this fear, I turned to the practices of pranayama (breath control), meditation, and svadhyaya (self-study). These practices provided me with beautiful answers and clarity. They helped me navigate through the layers of my conditioned mind, revealing the underlying fear and enabling me to begin the healing process.
The Bhagavad Gita on Fear, Dharma, and Detachment
The Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom on overcoming fear and attachment. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duty without attachment to the results, emphasizing the importance of equanimity and detachment:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || 47 ||
“You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.” (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
Bhagavad Gita 4.10
“वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिता: |
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागता: ||4. 10||”“vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā man-mayā mām upāśhritāḥ
bahavo jñāna-tapasā pūtā mad-bhāvam āgatāḥ”Highlights the importance of overcoming fear through detachment and devotion.
” By freeing ourselves from attachment, fear, and anger, and by seeking refuge in the Divine, we purify our minds and attain inner peace and spiritual love.”
“We can mitigate the fears rooted in our attachments and expectations by practising detachment and focusing on the present moment.”
Manomaya kosha & teachings Of BhagvadGeeta
Combining the concept of the manomaya kosha with teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, we see that when emotions overpower us, we may act against dharma (righteousness). Such actions lead to mental stress and eventually physical disease (vyadhi). However, if we perform every action thoughtfully, without getting trapped in our emotions, and in alignment with dharma, we lead a holistic and balanced life.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras on Mental Purification
अविद्यास्मितारागद्वेषाभिनिवेशाः क्लेशाःSutra 2.3
avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśā kleśa
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provide a framework for mental purification and overcoming the kleshas (afflictions) that cloud our minds. Fear (abhinevesha) is identified as one of the five kleshas:
तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोग:(Yoga Sutras 2.1)
“Swadhyaya is the practice of self-study or introspection which leads to the knowledge of self or awareness.”
Through consistent practice of the eight limbs of yoga, particularly dhyana (meditation) and svadhyaya (self-study), we can cleanse the manomaya kosha and overcome the fear that resides within it.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing the fears within the manomaya kosha is crucial for emotional and physical well-being. By integrating practices from pranayama, meditation, and the wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we can transcend these fears. This journey not only heals our present emotional turmoil but also leads us towards the ultimate realization of our true self, beyond all sheaths.
By performing every action thoughtfully and in alignment with dharma, without allowing our emotions to overpower us, we can lead a holistic and balanced life. This approach transforms adhi (stress) into a state of well-being, preventing the manifestation of vyadhi (disease).
Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Through this holistic approach, we can transform our lives, achieving balance and harmony in both our inner and outer worlds.
Takeaways for Readers
- Recognize the Root Cause of Emotional Turmoil:
- Understand that deep-seated fears and emotional disturbances often originate in the manomaya kosha, the mental sheath. Identifying and acknowledging these fears is the first step towards healing.
- Integrate Pranayama, Meditation, and Svadhyaya:
- Incorporate practices like pranayama (breath control), meditation, and svadhyaya (self-study) into your daily routine. These practices help calm the mind, provide clarity, and facilitate emotional healing.
- Balance Emotions with Dharma:
- Learn to act thoughtfully, without letting emotions overpower you. Align your actions with dharma (righteousness) to lead a balanced and holistic life, reducing mental stress and preventing physical disease.
- Draw Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita:
- Embrace the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita on detachment and performing duties without attachment to outcomes. This perspective helps mitigate fear and promotes inner peace.
- Practice Mental Purification:
- Follow the guidance of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras to purify the mind and overcome the kleshas (afflictions), including fear. Consistent practice of the eight limbs of yoga can lead to mental clarity and emotional resilience.
- Understand the Panchakosha Theory:
- Familiarize yourself with the five koshas (sheaths) and work through each layer for holistic well-being. Addressing the physical, energetic, mental, intellectual, and blissful sheaths helps achieve overall balance.
- Commit to Holistic Healing:
- Realize that emotional healing is a journey that involves addressing deep-rooted fears, conditioning, and attachments. Commit to holistic practices that nurture all aspects of your being.
By integrating these insights and practices into your life, you can transform emotional turmoil into a state of well-being, leading a balanced and harmonious life.
