Reading Summary

In the opening chapter of Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar introduces the journey that will structure the rest of the book: a movement from the outer layers of our being towards the innermost Self. The body is his starting point, but the journey does not end there. Through yoga, he describes a gradual movement through body, energy, mind and intelligence towards what he calls the spiritual or divine body.

One of the central frameworks introduced in this chapter is the five kośas, the layers of human existence that will give the following chapters their structure: annamaya, the physical or “food” body; prāṇamaya, the energetic body; manomaya, the mental body; vijñānamaya, the intellectual or wisdom body; and ānandamaya, the bliss body.

This gives Light on Life a particular map of yoga. Iyengar begins with something tangible: the body we encounter in āsana. Yet physical practice already contains the possibility of moving inward. Attention becomes more refined, perception becomes more sensitive, and parts of ourselves that initially seem separate begin to communicate with one another.

Chapter 1 also introduces a question that will accompany us throughout the book: what do we actually mean by “inner” and “outer” in yoga? If awareness can penetrate the body, if intelligence can be present in the cells, and if āsana can involve the whole person, then the distinction between physical and spiritual practice becomes less straightforward.

As you read, pay attention to the map Iyengar is constructing. We will return to its different layers one by one over the coming months.