Yoga Nidra: A Journey Through The 5 Koshas

Hey everybody,

It's Nola Bloom here,

And I'm so excited to share another philosophy inspired Nidra journey for you today,

And it's called Yoga Nidra,

A journey through the five koshas,

Which is the five layers of being.

And if you're unfamiliar with the koshas,

They're an integral part of ancient teachings that deepen our understanding of ourselves and guide us towards connection with our true divine essence.

The koshas were first described in the Upanishads,

Some of the oldest philosophical texts from India,

Where they serve as a profound framework for understanding the layers of self.

Within the Upanishads,

We encountered concepts such as Brahman,

The ultimate reality,

And Atman,

The true self.

The koshas present layers that we can explore to reconnect with this true nature,

Peeling back the outermost aspects of our being to reach the most subtle and blissful states within.

While the koshas are not explicitly mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,

The concepts in the Upanishads and the Sutras are closely interrelated.

As many of us dive deeper into the philosophy of yoga,

We come to know the Yoga Sutras that serve as the cornerstone for much of modern yoga practice.

These sutras offer teachings on the mind's self-realization and the path to inner peace and liberation,

Outlining a route for transcending the limitations of the ego and returning to our true selves.

One significant teaching from the sutras is avidya,

Or ignorance,

Which Patanjali describes as the root cause of human suffering.

This ignorance isn't simply a lack of knowledge,

But a disconnection from our true nature,

Often caused by over-identification of our thoughts,

Bodies,

And emotions.

Maya,

In Sanskrit,

Means illusion.

It refers to the layers that obscure the true nature of reality.

These layers are thoughts,

Emotions,

And even the physical world,

Are not the ultimate truth,

But they guide us to uncover the deeper essence within.

The Koshas help us to recognize that we are multi-layered beings.

Each Kosha,

Or sheath,

Reveals a subtle aspect of our nature,

Leading us to a place of peace and wholeness.

Together,

The Upanishads,

Yoga Sutras,

And other foundational works like the Bhagavad Gita,

Provide a rich tapestry of teachings,

Offering multiple perspectives and understanding the self and providing profound guidance for our journey.

So before we begin the meditation,

Let's just briefly go through each Kosha to have an understanding and then I will guide you deeper.

So the first is the Annamaya Kosha,

And this is the physical body,

Our most tangible layer.

It's made up of everything that we can see,

Feel,

And touch.

Our bones,

Muscles,

Organs,

And skin.

In Sanskrit,

Ana means food,

Which represents the nourishment this layer needs.

When we practice Yoga Asana,

We honor and care for this Kosha.

Next is Pranamaya Kosha,

The second layer,

Our energy body.

This is made of prana,

Or life force.

This layer connects the physical and subtle aspects of our being and is most often experienced through the breath.

In Yoga practice,

We work with this Kosha through breath work or Pranayama,

Which is the fourth limb of Yoga.

This keeps our life force flowing and balanced.

Next is Manomaya Kosha.

This is the mental or emotional body.

It's where our thoughts,

Emotions,

And reactions reside.

Our mind is constantly perceiving,

Judging,

And reacting.

The Manomaya Kosha shapes how we interpret the world and ourselves.

The fourth,

Vijnanamaya Kosha,

The wisdom body.

It's a deeper layer of insight,

Inner knowing,

And intuition.

This Kosha brings us closer to the true self,

Helping us see beyond the mental chatter to our deeper awareness.

Here,

We connect with clarity and intuition and move beyond judgment.

And finally,

Anandamaya Kosha,

The bliss body.

This Kosha is often described as a deep state of peace and joy when we've touched the essence of our true being.

In this state,

We experience Ananda,

Or bliss,

Which is pure connection to our true self and in turn,

The universe.

So go ahead and find a comfortable seated or lying down position.

Get yourself really comfortable.

Close your eyes and start to slow the breathing down.

Allow the breath to become full,

But remain feeling natural.

With each breath,

Feel any tension releasing from your body and taking you deeper and deeper into relaxation.

Feel the earth beneath you taking the entire weight of the body.

Big breath in and big breath out.

As you settle into stillness,

Let's set a Sankalpa,

A heartfelt intention to guide your journey today.

The Sankalpa is a seed you plant in your awareness that aligns with the purpose of this practice.

For today's meditation,

I invite you to use the Sankalpa.

I open myself to receive the ancient wisdom of yoga.

Hold this intention gently in your heart and your mind and allow it to be a quiet anchor for your journey today.

Take another breath in and feel this intention settle.

As you exhale,

Allow it to begin to take root deeply within you.

Let's begin our journey through Annamaya Kosha,

The physical body,

The foundation of our well-being.

Tune into the strength of your bones,

The warmth of your muscles,

And the vitality of your organs.

With each breath,

Deepen your awareness of the body,

Feeling grounded and supported by Annamaya Kosha,

Your connection to the earth.

Draw your awareness to your feet,

Grounding them into the earth.

Feel the sensations of warmth,

Tingling,

Or heaviness as the earth cradles your feet.

Let the energy of the earth rise up through your feet,

Deepening your connection to Annamaya Kosha,

Supporting you with its timeless strength.

Now allow all your awareness to flow upwards through your ankles,

Calves,

Knees,

And thighs.

With each breath,

Soften any tightness and allow Annamaya Kosha to nurture and support you.

Feel the rhythm of your breath grounding you further into your body,

Calming the mind and stabilizing your being.

Bring awareness to your chest,

Shoulders,

Arms,

And hands.

Notice the weight of your arms resting by your sides,

And let your breath gently expand through your torso,

Filling you with ease and light.

Shift your awareness to your neck,

Jaw,

Cheeks,

And forehead,

Releasing any tension in your face.

Visualize roots extending from your body,

Grounding you deeper into the earth,

And allow the earth's nourishing energy to fill you with vitality and balance.

This is Annamaya Kosha,

The physical body.

Now let's transition to Pranamaya Kosha,

The energy body.

This layer represents the vital life force that flows through you,

Connecting your physical self to the universe,

Emanating your being with each and every breath.

To connect with this energy,

Let's engage in a little breath work.

Inhale deeply through your nose,

Feeling the cool air filling your chest.

Hold this breath for a moment,

And feel the fullness of life within you.

Exhale through your mouth with a soft sigh,

Releasing any lingering tension,

And inviting the energy of Pranamaya Kosha to flow freely.

Inhale deeply through your nose,

Feeling the cool air filling your chest.

Hold this breath for a moment,

And feel the fullness of life within you.

Inhale deeply through your mouth with a soft sigh,

Releasing any lingering tension,

And inviting the energy of Pranamaya Kosha to flow freely.

Allow the current of Pranamaya Kosha to expand your awareness of the life force that sustains you,

And connects you to all things,

Filling you with peace,

Balance,

And vitality.

Rest in the awareness of Pranamaya Kosha.

Next,

We journey into Manomaya Kosha,

The mental body,

Where your thoughts,

Feelings,

And emotions swirl like clouds in the vast sky.

Picture your mind as a canvas painted in soft hues,

Where each thought drifts like clouds in a midnight sky.

Acknowledge Manomaya Kosha with gentle curiosity,

Observing your thoughts without judgment.

Allow them to pass just like the clouds.

Allow your thoughts to flow freely,

Dissolving without attachment.

Breathe deeply,

And allow any emotions to surface like gentle waves on a calm ocean.

What are you feeling in this moment?

Welcome these feelings without attachment,

Inviting ease into Manomaya Kosha.

With each breath,

Expand your awareness,

Letting go of any mental clutter,

And feel the space around your thoughts.

Visualize your thoughts and emotions as leaves drifting down a peaceful stream.

Watch them float away,

Dissolving into stillness.

Manomaya Kosha invites you to simply witness and let go.

You are the vast sky behind the clouds,

The stillness that observes.

Rest here in Manomaya Kosha,

Allowing your mind to settle into calm and clarity.

Next,

We arrive at Vijnanamaya Kosha,

The wisdom body,

Where your intuition and deeper insights transcend the everyday mind.

Picture yourself walking through an ancient,

Enchanted forest,

Where the whispers of nature beckon you closer to your true essence.

The air is filled with the scent of damp earth and blossoming flowers,

And each rustle of leaves carries a message that is meant just for you.

As you wander deeper into the sacred grove,

Notice how sunlight filters through the canopy,

Casting patterns on the forest floor.

In this tranquil space,

Find a peaceful spot to sit down and connect with your inner teacher,

The wise presence that holds the keys to your soul's journey.

Trust that Vijnanamaya Kosha invites you to listen to the wisdom rising from within.

Feel the deep wellspring of knowledge within you,

A shimmering pool of clarity that nourishes your spirit.

As you connect with Vijnanamaya Kosha,

Let the insights wash over you like gentle waves lapping on the shore.

Recognize the guidance within you that's ready to illuminate your path and empower your journey.

Finally,

We arrive at Anandamaya Kosha,

The bliss body,

Where pure joy and connection to your true self resides.

This layer transcends the boundaries of individuality,

Resonating with the essence of all creation.

Feel this expansive state as you align with Anandamaya Kosha,

Embodying the deep peace that exists beyond the limitations of the physical world.

Take a big breath in,

And as you exhale,

Feel any remaining barriers dissolve,

And invite a sense of bliss to emerge from within.

Enveloping you in the embrace of Anandamaya Kosha,

Allow this divine light to flow throughout your being,

Reminding you that you are a beautiful expression of the universe.

Filled with love and pure bliss.

Feel how Anandamaya Kosha encourages you to share your joy with others,

Illuminating their paths with your own divine light.

You are a part of this cosmic dance of existence,

Radiating warmth,

Compassion,

And boundless love.

Rest here in the awareness of Anandamaya Kosha.

As we prepare to integrate our journey,

Rest in the interconnectedness of all five Koshas.

Visualize them as vibrant layers of light,

Each glowing with its own unique essence,

Merging together to create a harmonious whole.

Feel how your Anandamaya Kosha,

The physical body,

Grounds you in this moment,

While the vitality of Pranamaya Kosha flows through every cell of your being.

Sense the clarity of Anandamaya Kosha expanding your mental awareness.

Connect with the deep wisdom of Vishnanamaya Kosha,

Guiding your intuition and your insight.

Feel the blissful state of Anandamaya Kosha enveloping you in radiant joy.

Allow this integration to wash over you like gentle waves lapping on the shore.

Filling you with a profound sense of peace and serenity.

With each breath,

Feel the completeness settling deep within you as each Kosha supports each other in sacred union.

Gently bring your awareness back to the present moment,

Wiggling your fingers and toes,

And feel the life and energy return to your physical body.

Take a big breath in,

And let's return to our Sankalpa,

Our heartfelt intention for this journey.

I open myself to receive the ancient wisdom of yoga,

And allow this intention to settle within you,

Awakening a gentle openness to the guidance of these teachings.

When you're ready,

Slowly open your eyes,

Carrying the wisdom and radiance of the Koshas.

Thank you for joining me today.

May you walk forward with grace and openness.

Embracing the magic of the Koshas within you and around you.

Namaste.