Today I'd like to talk about a spiritual sheath - the mental body or mental energy sheath. It's known as Manomaya Kosha. Mano means mind. Kosha means body or sheath.
The mind is the place that houses thoughts. Thoughts play a crucial role in a person's life. Thoughts can cause suffering and thoughts can create peace.
I will now talk about how the five elements of the universe influence the Manomaya Kosha.
How do the five elements of the universe influence thoughts?
Water Theory
Thoughts are like water. They flow from one person to another. That's why we're told to be wise in choosing our company. If I sit near chickens, I might start saying, "cluck... cluck…cluck." If I sit near eagles, I might start saying, "kwit, kwit...kwit."
What we read, see, hear, and who we're with influences our thoughts. What flows into us…gets absorbed into us.
Fire Theory
Thoughts are like fire. Bad thoughts burn my peace and the peace of others. Good thoughts burn the suffering inside me and the negativity that surrounds me.
Bad thoughts cause dysfunctional communication patterns and negative actions against self or others
For example, if I've bad thoughts like jealousy of someone, sooner or later I'll burn in my own fire of jealousy.
Air Theory
Thoughts are strongly influenced by air. If you suddenly feel anxious, consciously breathe in and out and you'll feel better.
If you change the way you breathe, your thoughts will also change.
Right breathing pattern = right thought/thinking pattern.
That's why breathing exercises (pranayama) and breathing meditations are highly recommended to relieve pain and suffering caused by the mind.
Earth Theory
The earth represents food. What I eat influences my thoughts.
Food helps to build up the body, but it also awakens too many desires and unwanted thoughts if you aren't able to use the energy properly.
It's good to practice wisdom when eating food. For example, if a soldier eats a lot of meat, he'll use it for hard body movements. If an office worker who lacks hard body movements eats the same amount of meat, the unused excess energy of the meat will turn into many unnecessary thoughts in his mind.
In order to control thoughts, one must also control the type of food consumed. It is good to eat in a way that suits the daily requirements of your body and the type of work you do.
Earth also means ground. The goal of mindfulness meditation or any meditation is also to ground the thoughts.
Space Theory
Thoughts move in space. If I sit and think about someone for a long time with my eyes closed, soon I’ll be able to come across that person—face to face or receive a phone call from him/her. Sounds like magic, isn’t it? Yes…thoughts are that powerful!
Positive affirmations, manifestations and prayers are some examples of how thoughts travel in space to reach the higher powers and the universe.
The universe is relating to us through time, space and energy.
The right (good) thoughts at the right time (positive actions for a good purpose) with the right energy (good vibrations) will help us reap positivity and immeasurable blessings from the universe.
I hope this information has been helpful to you in protecting your mental body. Protect your thoughts by aligning yourself with the five elements of the universe.
Thank you for reading my insights.
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Sending love and light to everyone.
You can also check my empowering personal spiritual guidebook, “The Cosmic Romance with Existence,” on burning self-ignorance and seeking your inner light.