The three veils or sheaths in this metaphor (together) constitute the subtle body. The veils are the energy sheath, the mental sheath, and the discernment sheath. Energy, mind and discernment-the subtle body is the central portion of the continuum of the human, bordered by the physical body on one side and spirit on the other. The subtle body is not as gross as our physical body, nor as refined as our spirit. Being the astral plane, the subtle body is sometimes called the astral or ethereal body.
Joan Harrigan: The Science of Spiritual Transformation
In Jungian psychology, an "archetype" is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. Archetypes are often used in myths and storytelling across different cultures. Archetypes are real in that they provide for us an intellectual model so that we may understand and communicate sub-conscious experiences that could not otherwise be understood or communicated.
I am always surprised when some of those from my Christian faith tradition will conclude that I am putting my Christian faith at risk when I use an archetype that flows from another faith or cultural tradition that is not Christian. Even when I insist that I am fully engaged in my faith practice, suspicion arises because the archetype symbol expressed is not rooted in Christianity. Whether we realize it or not, we are all engaged in and governed by archetype symbols that are not a part of our particular faith tradition. Even those who refuse allegiance to any faith tradition have lives that are governed by archetypal symbols. One, which I renounced years ago after the time of my conversion to Christianity and very prevalent in our society today, is the secular model for happiness linked only to personal achievement and success, and the acquisition of things. Because of the prevalence of this secular model, we live in a society addicted to consumerism, work and activity, without regard to health or balance, resulting in greater dysfunction in our many relationships.
I have again produced an expanded explanation of this archetype of the subtle body below taken from Harrigan's book. In my next posting, I would like to show how this spiritually transforming experience, that began at the conclusion of my six week Christian retreat in Arizona, came to be understood through the use of this archetypal model of the subtle body.
The energy sheath is a vital process that animates the human system that allows it to sense and function. It is partially made up of nadis or energy channels that intersect with six major chakras or energy centres. The six principal chakras are associated with the physical body’s nerve plexuses and gland systems that manifest from their energy. Chakras, called spinning wheels, function properly when there is a balanced flow of energy through the nadis which cause a cyclical sensation in the chakra area. The chakras are:
Root Chakra at base of spine and perineum area,
Sacral Chakra in genital area,
Solar plexus Chakra in the navel area,
Heart Chakra in heart area between the breasts,
Throat Chakra in throat area and back of neck,
Third eye Chakra between the eye brows.
Crown located at the top of the head is another critical point of the energy sheath.
The mental sheath consists of the conscious and unconscious mind and is broken down into three aspects or functions:
The first is called “Chitta”, or the unconscious storehouse of past impressions or imprints. This function of the mind might be described as a vast reservoir of memories, parental injunctions, unresolved issues, cultural conditioning, contradictions, tendencies, repressed habits and drives and impressions from life’s past experiences. All of these sub-conscious drives become the source of our motives and emotions. They drive our behaviors and restrict us within our characteristic patterns. They are the source of our distractions and must be dealt with as we attempt to still the mind and go inward. Contained here are our defense mechanisms that strive to protect us from any of its conflicting, traumatic, and unacceptable contents. Thus, we can remain largely unaware of the sources of our feelings and actions.
The second is called “Manas”, or the sensory motor mind. This function is objective, reflexive, the carrier out orders. It can be trained but also responds to habits, instinct or impulse. Data from the senses is registered here, and actions coordinated. Acting automatically, doubts arise here as well as perceptions by selection inattention. By means of this faculty, sensory data is taken in, and reflexive actions are made.
The third is called “Ahankara” or the ego. It is the superimposed sense of I-ness that allows us to have individual awareness. In its active function, it includes mental faculties such as memory, thought processes, and concentration. This function is one of self-definition and self-concepts. The boundaries of the personality, our attachments, aversions, and habits are defined here creating its sense of I-ness. The ego denies what it cannot identify, and owns what it does identify. This mental sheath filters and shades our perceptions of reality and strongly influences the choices we made.
The discernment sheath called “Buddhi” is reflective consciousness. This is the higher mind carrying out the discrimination functioning. It is often referred to as the “inner voice” where reason, will, values, ethics come into play. It is the place where we make decisions and choose a course of action based on one’s true nature and purpose. It is the place of contemplation in relation to philosophical concepts, human qualities, culture or art. It is the gatekeeper of the unconscious from which there is both an inflow and outflow. It is our discernment that lets us find our way to our spiritual goal.
Casual body or celestial realm: In order to give a more complete picture of this archetype, a further extension must be added to the above called the casual body. Just as the physical body ends with the skin and the subtle body begins, the subtle body ends at the discernment sheath, and the casual body begins. Others terms that could be used to describe the casual body are the celestial realm, pure consciousness or bliss consciousness, the point of contact with the “Ultimate Reality”. This was referred to by Phillip St”. Romain in his book as the “zero point”. I have referred to it previously as the “still point". It is the place where one has moved beyond false and limited identification with the transitory world of illusion, beyond space and time, beyond phenomena, beyond dualism.
In Jungian psychology, an "archetype" is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. Archetypes are often used in myths and storytelling across different cultures. Archetypes are real in that they provide for us an intellectual model so that we may understand and communicate sub-conscious experiences that could not otherwise be understood or communicated.
I am always surprised when some of those from my Christian faith tradition will conclude that I am putting my Christian faith at risk when I use an archetype that flows from another faith or cultural tradition that is not Christian. Even when I insist that I am fully engaged in my faith practice, suspicion arises because the archetype symbol expressed is not rooted in Christianity. Whether we realize it or not, we are all engaged in and governed by archetype symbols that are not a part of our particular faith tradition. Even those who refuse allegiance to any faith tradition have lives that are governed by archetypal symbols. One, which I renounced years ago after the time of my conversion to Christianity and very prevalent in our society today, is the secular model for happiness linked only to personal achievement and success, and the acquisition of things. Because of the prevalence of this secular model, we live in a society addicted to consumerism, work and activity, without regard to health or balance, resulting in greater dysfunction in our many relationships.
I have again produced an expanded explanation of this archetype of the subtle body below taken from Harrigan's book. In my next posting, I would like to show how this spiritually transforming experience, that began at the conclusion of my six week Christian retreat in Arizona, came to be understood through the use of this archetypal model of the subtle body.
The energy sheath is a vital process that animates the human system that allows it to sense and function. It is partially made up of nadis or energy channels that intersect with six major chakras or energy centres. The six principal chakras are associated with the physical body’s nerve plexuses and gland systems that manifest from their energy. Chakras, called spinning wheels, function properly when there is a balanced flow of energy through the nadis which cause a cyclical sensation in the chakra area. The chakras are:
Root Chakra at base of spine and perineum area,
Sacral Chakra in genital area,
Solar plexus Chakra in the navel area,
Heart Chakra in heart area between the breasts,
Throat Chakra in throat area and back of neck,
Third eye Chakra between the eye brows.
Crown located at the top of the head is another critical point of the energy sheath.
The mental sheath consists of the conscious and unconscious mind and is broken down into three aspects or functions:
The first is called “Chitta”, or the unconscious storehouse of past impressions or imprints. This function of the mind might be described as a vast reservoir of memories, parental injunctions, unresolved issues, cultural conditioning, contradictions, tendencies, repressed habits and drives and impressions from life’s past experiences. All of these sub-conscious drives become the source of our motives and emotions. They drive our behaviors and restrict us within our characteristic patterns. They are the source of our distractions and must be dealt with as we attempt to still the mind and go inward. Contained here are our defense mechanisms that strive to protect us from any of its conflicting, traumatic, and unacceptable contents. Thus, we can remain largely unaware of the sources of our feelings and actions.
The second is called “Manas”, or the sensory motor mind. This function is objective, reflexive, the carrier out orders. It can be trained but also responds to habits, instinct or impulse. Data from the senses is registered here, and actions coordinated. Acting automatically, doubts arise here as well as perceptions by selection inattention. By means of this faculty, sensory data is taken in, and reflexive actions are made.
The third is called “Ahankara” or the ego. It is the superimposed sense of I-ness that allows us to have individual awareness. In its active function, it includes mental faculties such as memory, thought processes, and concentration. This function is one of self-definition and self-concepts. The boundaries of the personality, our attachments, aversions, and habits are defined here creating its sense of I-ness. The ego denies what it cannot identify, and owns what it does identify. This mental sheath filters and shades our perceptions of reality and strongly influences the choices we made.
The discernment sheath called “Buddhi” is reflective consciousness. This is the higher mind carrying out the discrimination functioning. It is often referred to as the “inner voice” where reason, will, values, ethics come into play. It is the place where we make decisions and choose a course of action based on one’s true nature and purpose. It is the place of contemplation in relation to philosophical concepts, human qualities, culture or art. It is the gatekeeper of the unconscious from which there is both an inflow and outflow. It is our discernment that lets us find our way to our spiritual goal.
Casual body or celestial realm: In order to give a more complete picture of this archetype, a further extension must be added to the above called the casual body. Just as the physical body ends with the skin and the subtle body begins, the subtle body ends at the discernment sheath, and the casual body begins. Others terms that could be used to describe the casual body are the celestial realm, pure consciousness or bliss consciousness, the point of contact with the “Ultimate Reality”. This was referred to by Phillip St”. Romain in his book as the “zero point”. I have referred to it previously as the “still point". It is the place where one has moved beyond false and limited identification with the transitory world of illusion, beyond space and time, beyond phenomena, beyond dualism.
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