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Introduction
In vedic times yogis investigated the deepest
nature of human being. They developed a coherent filosophy
on human extistence on the material, psychological and spiritual
levels. The vedic model of human psychology consists of five
concentric circles or koshas
representing body, mind, ego, intellect, and self. The model
introduces basic concepts for the understanding of human consciousness
and various branches of yoga.
Body
The cerebrospinal system is the first part of
the organism to be developed after conception. From it the
entire bodily form comes out. This system is a great generator
of electrical energy that is constantly supplied to the internal
organs by a network of nerves that serve as connectors. All
the cells in the body are kept alive by a flow of energy (prana).
Nerves connect the brain and spine with the five sense organs
(eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin), and the five work organs
(anus, genitals, legs, hands, vocal chords). The functiong
of the entire human body is controlled by the cerebrospinal
system, and the psychic centers are located in it.
Mind
The combination of brain, breath, nerves, sense
organs, and work organs functions as a unit inside the body
which is working with the mind. Mind is the tool of consciousness
that enables perception through the senses. Mind uses brain
to process the signals that are coming in through the senses,
but mind is not a product from the brain. This is illustrated
by organisms that have no real brain but still they have a
mind that enables them to sense changes in the environment.
Mind is very active and associative, it can
jump from present to past and from one situation to another.
If you have tried to sit and remain silent inside you have
experienced that many thoughts arose no matter how much you
tried to be without them. These thoughts sprout from the activity
of the mind. The activity of the mind is closely related with
the pattern of breathing. The science of controlling breath
is known as pranayama, a branch of Hatha
Yoga. By practicing pranayama, the breath becomes calm,
images do not disturb the mind, and the internal dialogue
stops
Ego
Ego is the illusion that I exist as a separate
individual being. Ego is the one which assumes the responsibility
for the body and identifies with the body. When the body breathes,
he says, "I am breathing". Ego takes a name, and
becomes Mr. such and such and all social relations are acted
out by ego. Whereas mind is very daring, ego is very much
afraid for death. Whenever any problem comes to the body,
ego becomes very alert and remains in the body. And the more
there is danger of existence, the more strong the ego becomes.
There are stories of children who were completely neglected
and left behind. They developed into some kind of chivalrous
fighting heroes, and they also became masters in certain subjects
and people of great intelligence. Most of the time, only for
survival of their ego, they had to struggle, and they learned
from their struggle how to be strong. This way, ego is the
one that creates strength. All strength that I have comes
from my ego. This part of the ego which gives this strength
is called will.
Modern school has become a training place for
creating more and more ego, because there is competition all
the time. Who does it first? Who is the best? Ego always tries
to say, "I am better than you", "I am holier
than you". In ancient days they had an education system
that did not let the ego grow beyond a particular limit. The
child had to go and live with the family of a teacher as a
member of the family (gurukul). The wife of the teacher was
responsible for providing all food, and nobody was allowed
to bring other food. And parents were not allowed to bring
gifts in order to treat all pupils equal, and make them feel
that everyone is equal.
Intellect
Intellect is the tool of consciousness that
contains knowledge that is accumulated in this live and in
past life, and by seven previous generations as well. Intellect
carries with it the past and the present, and also speculates
about the future. Intellect helps ego with advice and information
but the final decision comes from ego. Ego can say, "I
like it" and although intellect may disapprove ego may
decide "O.k., I don't believe that this is right, but
I don´t want to follow all these rules and regulations,
I'll break the law". If intellect is too much dominating
then information in books is considered more important than
own experience.
Mind and Intellect serve Ego
When ego is the king in the body, intellect
is the prime-minister, and mind is the public relation officer,
roaming here and there, making contacts, gathering information.
Most of the time only mind is dominant. But sometimes ego
is also very dominant. And intellect is only in the beginning,
when you start, at that time it comes and tries to show you
how you go. But after that, mostly it is the mind which takes
the lead.
Self
There is a divine spark of consciousness
in each of us, the innermost center of the
5 koshas. This divine spark or self is in bliss, untouched
by any of the events that happening around. Animals, plants,
and even objects, have such a spark in them. In deep sleep
and in samadhi, mind, ego and intellect are inactive. Therefore,
deep sleep and samadhi are very similar, however, in deep
sleep we are not conscious of anything whereas in samadhi
consciousness remains during the absence of mind, intellect
and ego. The self likes to enjoy the drama of life. It is
because of unfulfilled desires of ego that the combination
of self, intellect, ego and mind incarnate over and over again,
until the ultimate desire to merge with god is fulfilled.
Then all individuality, including the individual self, is
dissolved into the cosmic consciousness.
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