In this chapter BKS Iyengar introduces the inward journey of yoga, which aims to reveal our divine core or soul through exploring the different sheaths (Kośa) of our being. It outlines the five koshas or layers – the physical body (annamaya kośa), the energetic body (prāṇamaya kośa), the mental body (manomaya kośa), the intellectual body (vijñānamaya kośa), and the blissful soul body (anandamaya Kośa). According to Iyengar, the goal is to integrate these sheaths and harmonize the relationship between our nature (Prakṛti) and soul (Puruṣa). This is achieved through the eight limbs of yoga – ethical disciplines (yama and niyama), postures (āsana), breath control (prāṇāyāma), sense withdrawal (pratyāhāra), concentration (dhāraṇā), meditation (dhyāna), and ultimate union (samādhi). The chapter explains how āsana and prāṇāyāma prepare the body and mind for the inward journey by cultivating stillness, concentration and dissolution of the ego.
Questions to observe during the reading:
- What are the five sheats of being (Kośa)?
- What is the difference between nature (Prakṛti) and the universal soul (Puruṣa)?
- What are the eight petals of yoga (Aṣṭāṅgayoga)?
