Understanding Ignorance:
My Time at Arsha Bodha Center

On August 25, 2024, during my visit to the United States for a cardiac checkup, I had the opportunity to attend a satsang at Arsha Bodha Center in New York City, led by Swami Tadatmananda. Having followed Swamiji for a little over a year, I have found his teachings to be deeply influential, providing clarity and insight into many spiritual questions that have puzzled me.

During the satsang, I asked Swamiji a question about ignorance, “Swamiji, as I understand, when we are in deep sleep no new thoughts are created. Then, how does ignorance continue to exist there or does it not?” His response opened up a new dimension of understanding, particularly regarding the nature of ignorance and its persistence throughout our existence. This conversation helped me grasp a fundamental truth that many of us, as human beings, are deeply concerned with: Who are we, and what happens when we die?

It is important to note that I am writing this with my limited knowledge and understanding of what I have learned from Swamiji and my own experience and knowledge of Advaita Vedanta, which is fairly limited.

The Three Bodies: Physical, Subtle, and Causal

To begin with, it is essential to understand that we are composed of three primary components:

1. The Physical Body (Sthula Sharira)

This is the tangible, material body made of matter. Over time, it decays and perishes. This body is the most apparent aspect of our being, which we typically identify with.

2. The Subtle Body (Sukshma Sharira)

The subtle body is more elusive and consists of three main layers or koshas:

• • Manomaya Kosha: This is the layer of the mind, where thoughts, emotions, desires, and attachments reside.
  • Pranamaya Kosha: This sheath represents the vital energy (prana) that sustains life. It governs physiological functions such as breathing, circulation, digestion, speech, and movement.
  • Vijnanamaya Kosha: This is the intellect sheath, responsible for reasoning, logic, and the ability to discern.

3. The Causal Body (Karana Sharira)

The causal body is the most subtle layer, housing deep-seated karmic impressions and latent tendencies (vasanas). It is the blueprint that carries the potential for future births, guiding the cycle of life, death, and rebirth (samsara).

Ignorance and the Subtle Body

Swamiji’s explanation shed light on the nature of ignorance, which persists even in deep sleep and transitions from life to life. Ignorance is not just a lack of knowledge; it is the fundamental misunderstanding of our true nature. This ignorance is carried by the subtle body, and along with the causal body, travels from one form to another after the physical body decays.

The subtle body, composed of the mind, vital energy, and intellect, is the carrier of this ignorance. It holds the impressions, experiences, and memories that define our individual identity. These layers of the subtle body are what keep us bound to the cycle of birth and death.

Liberation: Purification of the Subtle Body

Liberation, or moksha, is the state where this ignorance is completely eradicated. It is the realization of our true nature, beyond the limitations of the physical, subtle, and causal bodies. The path to liberation involves the purification of the Manomaya Kosha (mind) and Vijnanamaya Kosha (intellect).

As the mind becomes purer and the intellect clearer and sharper through practices such as meditation, satsang (spiritual gatherings), and yoga, the subtle body begins to lose its binding force. The Pranamaya Kosha (vital energy) becomes more harmonized as the mind and intellect reach higher states of purity and awareness. Eventually, the creation of new karma ceases, and the causal body’s influence diminishes, leading to the dissolution of the subtle body.

The Question of Identity: Are We the Subtle or Causal Body?

A crucial question arises: Are we the subtle body or the causal body? Or, are we something beyond these, something that allows the physical form, the subtle body, and the causal body to exist in harmony and transition from one life to another?

Swamiji’s teachings suggest that we are not the subtle or causal body. These are vehicles or layers that serve a purpose in our journey through life and rebirth. The true self, the Atman, is beyond these layers. It is the unchanging, eternal consciousness that remains untouched by the fluctuations of the mind, the energies of the body, or the impressions of karma.

The Journey to Realization

The ignorance carried by the subtle body persists until enlightenment is achieved. To attain enlightenment, one must work diligently on purifying the subtle body – particularly the mind and intellect. Through practices like meditation, satsang, reading, and yoga, we can gradually dissolve the ignorance that binds us, ultimately realizing our true nature as one with Brahman, the ultimate reality.

This realization is encapsulated in the Mahavakya, “Aham Brahmasmi,” which means “I am Brahman.” It signifies the recognition of our true self, beyond the limitations of the physical, subtle, and causal bodies. This understanding is the key to liberation, where we merge with the infinite, free from the cycles of birth and death, and attain eternal peace.

The journey towards liberation is a profound process of self-purification and realization. The subtle body, which carries ignorance, must be purified through spiritual practices until the mind and intellect are free from desires, attachments, and ego. As we move closer to enlightenment, the causal body’s karmic seeds are neutralized, leading to the dissolution of the subtle body. Ultimately, we realize our true nature as Brahman, the eternal, unchanging reality that underlies all existence.

This journey is not just about understanding the concept intellectually, but about experiencing it deeply, through consistent practice and sincere inquiry. In this way, we can transcend ignorance and attain the ultimate goal of life: liberation.