Six Layers Within — Bloom Through Kaośikīi
-Reetu Singh
Are we made of bones and muscle,
Of hands and feet and spine?
Is that all that makes us “me”,
This body that is mine?
No, there’s more, much more to know,
Beyond the body’s frame;
Six layers of the mind unfold,
And each one has a name!
Annamaya — my body strong,
That helps me walk and play;
It grows with food and rest and care,
And helps me work each day.
Kāmamaya — “I want this!
I like that! I want to play!”
It gives me wants and motivation,
And helps me choose my way.
Manomaya — “I think, I feel,
I remember, dream and know.”
It holds my thoughts and feelings too,
And helps my mind to grow.
Atimānas — deeper still,
Where intuition can appear;
Sometimes we understand a thing
Before the answer becomes clear.
Vijñānamaya — wisdom grows,
“I’ll choose what’s right and true.”
It helps me tell what should be done,
And what I shouldn’t do.
Hiraṇmaya — the subtlest layer,
Where my little “I” can see
A longing deep within my heart
For something vast and free.
Body, desire, thought and feeling,
Intuition, wisdom too;
Layer after layer, they all work
Together to make me “YOU”!
So why should I learn these layers?
Why should I understand?
Because when body, mind and heart
Work together, every hardship I can stand.
I can move with a healthy body,
I can want and choose what’s right,
I can think, feel, understand,
And let my wisdom shine bright.
I can face the storms and obstacles,
Yet keep my purpose true;
And turn my little “I” toward
The greater “I” in you.
Like a little lotus flower
Opening petal by petal,
I too can bloom, layer by layer,
Becoming whole and beautiful.
And that is why we learn the Kośas—
Not as six things apart,
But as six layers working together,
To help me bloom in body, mind and heart!
And how can I help this blooming
Grow stronger every day?
Through Kaośikī, a joyful dance
That guides me on my way!
So Kaośikī is not just movement,
Or exercise alone;
It is a dance that helps nourish
The many layers I have known.
