5 Sheaths (Pancha Koshas)

Our objective reality is comprised of 5 different layers of gross and subtle entities. These are called the pancha koshas or the 5 sheaths. Starting from the outermost, the layers are as follows

1. Annamaya Kosha — Physical Layer
2. Pranamaya Kosha- Vital Energy Layer
3. Manamaya Kosha- Mental Layer
4. Vinjyanamaya Kosha- Intellect Layer
5. Anandamaya Kosha- Bliss Layer

As we proceed inwards, the layers become subtler and subtler. Annamaya kosha, which is the body made up of food and water, is the grossest one. The Energy layer, which comprises vital energies, is subtler than physical. The mental layer is even more nuanced than the energy layer but grosser than the Intellect. The purest form is bliss.

We experience these sheaths in our daily life. Body, being the grossest, is the easiest to experience. We also become aware of the energies running through our body, especially during activity or a workout. The incessant chatter of the mind is hard to ignore. We exercise our intelligence now and then, and while exercising it we are also aware of it. 

And lastly, we experience the bliss layer during our deep sleep. It is not a complete unconscious state, because as soon as we wake up, we have the awareness of a peaceful sleep free from activities. 

Mind-Matter Conversion

The physical body is a flux of becoming and annihilating elementary particles(earth, water, air, fire). This flux is maintained by the food/water we consume, the inflow of surrounding particles from our environment, and, most importantly, the thoughts that arise in our minds, either independently or after taking inputs from the sense organs. Every thought, i.e. a waveform(energy) gets transformed into matter. 

These transformed matter produce sensations in the body and a corresponding mental perception giving rise to feelings or emotions. For example, if there is an angry thought, then you sense heat in your body, which is a result of transformation into particles of fire nature, and a feeling of irritation or annoyance is perceived by the mind.

This entire phenomenon of mind-matter conversion is facilitated by the vital energy. Vital energy is like a continuous flow of an essential ingredient for these transformations.

The Reaction Process

Getting transformed into matter, the contents of the mind get a channel to be purged. But often, the sensations/feelings are resisted & reacted to, in some cases mildly and many times fiercely. The added reaction (either of a craving or aversion), generates more thoughts, which get transformed to matter, thus producing more sensations/feelings, to which it again reacts. It enters into a cycle, and the vital energy facilitating this gets trapped in a ping pong game.

Anxiety is a state when the mind and the body get into such a loop. All your vital energy is drained in this process, and you feel weak, timid, helpless. 

The fluctuation in vital energy results in the change of internal body functions as well. For example, the heartbeat rises, and the breath becomes shorter and faster. 

Pranayama Regulates Vital energy

Breath directly corresponds with the flow of vital energy. The former gets altered every time there is a fluctuation in the latter. This correspondence raises a window of opportunity to control vital energy through breathing practice. It can be understood from an example of a circular smoke pattern that a smoke artist produces, which gets stuck in that pattern until an external blow renders it clear.

When you become conscious of your breathing and make it longer by practising full-yogic breathing(Dirgha Pranayama), you re-regulate the stuck vital energy, thus releasing it from facilitating the cycle of anxiety. Moreover, with intake of more air, you also improve the flow of energy which attends to important auto-healing mechanisms that had been left unattended.

By continuous practice, you train your mind to switch attention to breathing and raise the flow of inhalation/exhalation whenever it feels the energy getting stuck in the anxious cycle. Also, regular breaking of the cycle takes away its power that is built otherwise when running unstopped.

You can enroll in the free course on Breathing Technique to Get Relief From Anxiety.