Self-realization · 2 of 11
The layers of the mind
The mind is not one thing. It is five layers, from crude to subtle, wrapped one inside another like the petals of a plantain flower.
On each page the marked passages are the words of Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti, from the books. The lines between them are ours and only lead from one passage to the next.
Like a plantain flower
The layers are called kośas. Ánanda Sútram names them in a single line and then lists them, from the outermost in.
Paiṋcakośátmiká jaeviisattá kadaliipuśpavat. [The living being is the composite of five kośas (layers of mind), like a plantain flower (with its petals).]
And in this manifestative flow we find in the unit-body that the crudest sheath or cell is the kámamaya kośa [conscious mind], subtler than this is the manomaya kośa [subconscious mind], subtler than this subconscious is the atimánasa kośa [supra-mental mind], yet subtler than this supra-mental mind is the vijiṋánamaya kośa [subliminal mind], and the subtlest of all kośas is the hirańyamaya kośa [subtle causal mind]. The crude receptacle of the unit is the annamaya kośa [physical body], which is the property of saiṋcara.
As with the plantain flower, in the case of these kośas also, subtle things are observed and understood only after removing their crude parts.
The crude mind and the subtle mind
The two outer layers are the ones everyone knows. The first deals with the senses and the longings of the body. The second remembers and thinks.
The portion of mind which deals with indriyas is named kámamaya kośa. This kámamaya kośa controls the physical longings of the microcosm.
The manomaya kośa is subtler than the kámamaya kośa and it has the capacity of recollection and contemplation (smarańa and manana). The kámamaya kośa, being the crudest in structure and in the case of the microcosm dealing with the external paiṋcabhútas, is called the “crude mind” or sthúla manah. The manomaya kośa is known as the “subtle mind” or súkśma manah.
The causal mind
Under these lie three deeper layers, together called the causal mind. It stays awake when the other two sleep, and the seeds of past actions are kept in it.
The remaining three kośas, being still more subtle and also being the rudimental stages of sthúla and súkśma manah, are collectively termed “causal” or “astral” mind.
In wakefulness all three minds, namely, conscious, subconscious and unconscious, remain active. In dream, only the crude or conscious mind remains asleep, and the other two minds remain active. In sleep, both conscious and subconscious minds remain inactive; only the unconscious mind remains awake and does the work of the other two minds.
What we generally call the causal or unconscious mind is also a blending of the three attributes, sattva, raja and tama, which are part of the citta (ectoplasm) in the pervasive sense. It is for this reason that the seeds of the reactive momenta (saḿskáras) are stored in the causal mind.
One causal mind
At this depth the wall between one mind and the Cosmic Mind grows thin; and beyond the subtlest layer there is no layer at all.
By a process of correct sádhaná, the sádhaka will feel that there is one causal mind in the universe. There is no causal difference between the microcosm and the Macrocosm.
The subtlest portion of the citta is the hirańmaya kośa. Just above this layer is the all-blissful stance of the Supreme Entity.
Proper knowledge about these five layers and seven realms helps sádhaná a great deal.