Introduction
Every human being comes into this world with a unique set of spiritual gains and spiritual debts. These elements shape our journey, guiding us towards our ultimate purpose: Transformation. This transformation is the process of elevating the spiritual body from the gross to the subtle, a shift from the material to the divine. It is a universal aspiration, ingrained in the fabric of human existence. The path of spiritual growth is akin to the awakening of a dormant power within, just as the Kundalini Shakti rises from the Muladhara chakra to the Sahasrara, transforming the individual in the process.
To understand this transformation, we must first explore the three planes of existence: the physical body (Sthula), the mental body (Sukshma), and the emotional/spiritual body (Karana). These three bodies are the vehicles through which we experience life, and they each require cleansing and refinement to move closer to the divine state.
“The 36 Tattvas are spread over 3 sheaths or bodies called gross, subtle and causal which are known as Sthula, Sukshma and Karana sharira.”
The Three Planes of Transformation:
1. Aatma Tattva (Gross Body – Physical Transformation):
This plane pertains to the physical body, our outermost shell. It is through the Aatma Tattva that we experience the world through our senses. In spiritual terms, this body is weighed down by impurity, known as Ānava Mala. It is the physical impurity, the ego-based attachment to material desires that hinders spiritual progress. However, through rituals like Aachaman, where we purify our gross body by chanting:
ॐ ऐं आत्म तत्त्वं शोधयामि जुहोमि नमः स्वाहा।
We begin to cleanse the body, preparing it to hold higher vibrations.
2. Vidya Tattva (Mental Body – Intellectual Transformation):
The second plane, the subtle body, is related to the mind and intellect. This is where we experience our thoughts, emotions, and desires. The Vidya Tattva is subject to Mayika Mala, impurities born out of ignorance, desires, and attachments. Just as the Kundalini Shakti ascends, so too must we rise intellectually. By focusing on learning, reflection, and understanding, we shed the layers of ignorance that cloud our perception of the world. Through intellectual awakening, we align ourselves closer to divine wisdom. The purification of this body is captured in the chant:
ॐ ह्रीं विद्या तत्त्वं शोधयामि जुहोमि नमः स्वाहा।
3. Shiva Tattva (Emotional Body – Spiritual Transformation):
The third and most profound body is the causal body, representing our emotional and spiritual self. The Shiva Tattva governs this body and it is through emotional balance and spiritual discipline that we achieve the highest form of transformation. The impurity here is known as Maya, which clouds the soul’s true nature and keeps it bound by the illusions of attachment and separation. In spiritual practices, we seek to rise above these veils, uniting with the divine consciousness. The purification of this body is called forth in the chant:
ॐ क्लीं शिव तत्त्वं शोधयामि जुहोमि नमः स्वाहा।
These three tattvas, the Aatma, Vidya, and Shiva Tattvas, are the building blocks of our spiritual evolution. They guide us through a cleansing process that aligns our gross, subtle, and causal bodies with the divine, fostering a profound transformation within us.
The Cosmic Dance of Tattvas: The 36 Principles of Existence
In the mystical teachings of the Tantras, the universe is described through 36 tattvas, which are spread across three sheaths: the gross, subtle, and causal bodies. Each tattva represents a principle of existence, a fundamental aspect of reality that governs the cosmos. These 36 tattvas are the building blocks of creation and consciousness.
The gross body (Sthula) corresponds to the physical elements and senses. This is where we experience the world through the five senses: hearing, touching, seeing, tasting, and smelling. The subtle body (Sukshma) is connected with the mind, intellect, and emotions, while the causal body (Karana) represents our deepest spiritual essence, the core of our being.
At the heart of these tattvas lies the interplay of Maya, the illusion that veils the truth of the soul. As we journey through life, our task is to transcend the limitations of Maya and rise above the five Kanchukas (veils) that bind us: Kalaa (creativity), Vidya (knowledge), Raga (desire), Kaal (time), and Niyati (limitation). These are the forces that create the illusion of separation and bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death.
The Lotus and the Mud
In the world of spiritual teachings, there is a beautiful parable that illustrates the nature of this transformation. It is said that the lotus, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, grows in the mud. At first, the lotus is rooted in the murky waters, but it never allows the mud to taint its beauty. As it rises above the water, it blooms with grace and elegance, unaffected by the dirt that once surrounded it.
This parable reflects the journey of every soul. We are all born into the world with our spiritual debts and gains, our karma and desires. Yet, just as the lotus grows through the mud, we too must rise above the challenges of life. We must transform our physical, mental, and emotional bodies, purifying ourselves from the impurities that bind us. Through practices like sadhana, meditation, and the study of sacred texts, we elevate ourselves from the mud of worldly attachments to the lotus of spiritual awakening.
The Path of the Kanchukas and Shuddha Tattvas
As we move towards spiritual evolution, we encounter the five Kanchukas, the veils of Maya that keep us bound to the material world. These five Kanchukas, Niyati, Kaal, Raga, Vidya, and Kalaa, represent the limitations imposed by the mind and ego. Only by transcending these limitations can we reach the Shuddha Tattvas, the purest principles of existence.
The Shuddha Tattvas include:
- Shuddha Vidya – Divine knowledge
- Ishwara – The supreme consciousness
- Sadashiva – The eternal truth
- Shakti – The ultimate energy
- Shiva – The ultimate consciousness
These five tattvas represent the highest state of being, where the soul merges with the divine, shedding all illusions and becoming one with the source.
Conclusion: The Awakening of the Divine Within
The journey of transformation is not an easy one. It requires discipline, patience, and a deep commitment to self-realization. But the rewards are immeasurable. Through the purification of our physical, mental, and emotional bodies, we ascend to a higher state of consciousness, where the soul can experience unity with the divine.
The ultimate goal is to rise above the three planes of existence – Sthula (Gross), Sukshma (Subtle), and Karana (Causal) – and merge with the divine light of Shiva Shakti. Just as the Kundalini Shakti rises from the Muladhara to the Sahasrara, so too does the soul ascend through the layers of existence, eventually reaching the highest state of being: pure consciousness.
In this transformation, we discover the truth of who we are, not as separate individuals, but as part of the divine cosmic dance, ever-moving towards the light of self-realization and spiritual awakening. This is the ultimate purpose of human life: to awaken the dormant potential within, transcending the limitations of the material world, and becoming one with the divine.
Content by: Life Coach Team
