Metaphysics of the Inner Man

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The Physical body, the astral body, Prana, intellect or Buddhi, the

instinctive mind, the spiritual mind and the spirit are the seven

principles of man. Buddhi is pure reason. The seat of Buddhi is just

below the crown of the head in the pineal gland of the brain. Buddhi

is manifested only in those persons who have developed right

intuitive discrimination or Viveka. The ordinary reason of the

worldly people is termed practical reason, which is dense and has

limitations.

 

Prana is the vital force, life-energy or Jiva-Sakti. It is the

eternal symbol of God or Brahman. It is Hiranyagarbha or Golden Son

of God. It is the link between the astral and physical bodies. Prana

is divided into physical Prana and psychic Prana. Breathing is

external manifestation of physical Prana. All thoughts are due to the

vibrations of psychic Prana in the Chitta.

 

The causal body or Karana Sarira is the support for the astral and

physical bodies. Will is Para Sakti. Get this Sakti-you will get Sat

or Existence.

 

Chitta is the subconscious mind. It has two layers. One layer for

emotion and the other for passive memory. The instinctive mind is the

lower nature of human beings. It is the desire mind or Kama Manas.

The Spiritual mind is the higher Manas. The seat of the mind is the

heart. The mind connected to the Somachakra of the lowermost portion

or undersurface of the brain is termed the organ of understanding. By

Manonasa or annihilation of the mind is meant the destruction or

dissolution of the lower nature, desire-mind. Sankhya Buddhi or

Buddhi in the light of Sankhya philosophy is will and intellect

combined. Mind is microcosm. Mind is Maya. Mind occupies an

intermediate state between Prakriti and Purusha, matter and Spirit.

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)