For when you need clarity: Working with Vijnanamaya Kosha
“Too full,” she said. “You are all too full. You are unable to receive, so let’s practice.”
My teacher said that last year. Her name is Chinnamasta Stiles and she said this during a lesson on Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. I don’t know if she noticed 20 pairs of glazed eyes or squirmy bodies, but I do know she felt the fullness of our lives and brains. Emotional intelligence requires an awareness of subtle anatomy.
And, when our heads and hearts are too full energetically and emotionally…we cannot receive wisdom. There’s simply no room in the vessel.
How do we empty then? How do we connect with our intuition? How do we find clarity?
The act of reconnecting to Vijnanamaya Kosha, the wisdom and intuitive body, is an act of courage.
The Sutras say that we don’t need to read knowledge in a book or be taught by someone to discern what is true and untrue, real and unreal. And yet, we can only do that when Vijnanamaya is attuned and in proper alignment, much like tuning an instrument.
There is an internal compass, an eternal inner knowing, an awareness and consciousness within each of us, as well as all around us. In the philosophy of yoga, the divinity we seek is not only outside of us, but ever-present within. Getting quiet and learning to turn the gaze towards our hearts allows us to discern the wisdom that’s already there.
But, we cannot do that when we’re already too full.
Learning how to be in our bodies is a way of emptying. Chinnamasta had us practice Yoga Nidra that day in class. She had us lay down and guided us in a breathwork practice to soothe the nervous system before moving into a half hour meditation. Nidra is highly focused on resting the body and mind to access the subconscious, and is a profound tool in working with Vijnanamaya Kosha.
Being in your body looks like dancing, non-linear movement, learning to breathe properly, yoga, gardening, swimming, getting out in the natural elements, meditation, Yoga Nidra. None of this needs to be intense, particularly if you are tired, anxious, or in chronic pain.
Being in your body looks like being enveloped in your senses - what you see, touch, taste, smell and hear - rather than all the voices in the mind. It’s a dance with pure presence. It’s allowing the answers to come to you and from you without forcing anything at all.
Studying spiritual texts is another way of emptying. You get to choose here. The Vedas, Buddhism, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Taosim, Christian scriptures, Judaism, and so on. These texts, whichever you choose, are a way of connecting with the divine, with something greater than yourself. In the upcoming Study of the Yoga Sutra, we’ll be learning how to meditate with the teachings of yoga as a guide. If you want to play with this kosha, join us for the 10 week study! You’ll also be contributing to the founding of the Afterglow Foundation when you sign up.
Working within your wisdom body is an act of courage, because it is so revealing. It’s subtle, yet profound. It’s leaning into the mystical, the unknown, and all that we cannot see. It’s allowing yourself to widen the lens of possibility before you, because you will not be so restricted by your own mind and/or body.
You’ll relax your “need to know” and the need to “control.”
You’ll learn how to free your mind from its negative loops.
You’ll experience a connection with your heart, which is the best teacher.
You’ll tap into presence and an inner calm that you didn’t know was possible.
You’ll receive answers, maybe not the ones you want, but the ones you need.
You’ll learn how to rest and rest deeply.
You just have to learn how to empty, how to be in stillness, how to be alone, how to receive. I’ve found in over a decade of teaching that our health falters significantly when we deny the subtle realms of our existence - our own intuition and our own bliss, otherwise known as Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Koshas. Next week, we’ll learn about the final koshic layer, Anandamaya Kosha, meaning the bliss body. I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey so far.
Jai Ma.
With love,
Leanne
P.S. The 10 week meditation program - Study of the Yoga Sutra - starts on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. EST. If you want to establish a meditation practice along with the self-study required to make it really impactful, you’ll love this! It’s for novices and advanced practitioners alike, you’ll be surrounded by good company. Join today for $150 or use our payment plan. When you join, you’ll also be contributing to the Afterglow Foundation.
P.P.S. Thank you to all who have contributed to the Founding the Afterglow Foundation fundraiser! I am honored and very touched by your gifts. Between the fund and the Sutra program, we have raised close to $1800 on our way to $6000. If you’d like to give to the Afterglow Foundation and help me bring perinatal yoga practice and therapeutic yoga for mental health and chronic pain into the communities, please donate here.
