All World
Gayatri Pariwar

The science of spirituality pertains to all the physical, mental manifestations and transcendental domains of consciousness. Masters of this science can perform supernatural experiments on the physical body too. But, they experience greater blissfulness as they realize higher and subtler levels of the consciousness.

Their research findings scripted in spiritual literature describe that the soul while manifested as a living being, is wrapped in five sheaths (pancha koïa).  In simple terms these are five natural layers or levels of expression of consciousness in human form. These are – (i) Annayamaya koïa (the physical sheath) — physical consciousness which is manifested in biological and physiological activities, including the genetic and hormones functions etc, of the physical body; (ii) Pr³ñamaya koïa (the vital sheath) — life-force of consciousness which is active in the form of vital energy, bioelectricity, feelings, etc; (iii) Manomaya koïa (the mental sheath) — the psychic consciousness which gives rise to willpower, mental concentration, biomagnetism, etc; (iv) Vigy³namaya koïa (the knowledge sheath) — intuitive consciousness that empowers discerning intellect, prophetic vision, etc; and (v) Ânandamaya koïa (the bliss sheath) — beatitudinous consciousness which is the source of soul-realization and ultimate bliss.

Extrasensory centers of the hidden force of the psyche are said to subtly reside in the corticle nuclei of reticular activating system in the brain. The consciousness power currents associated with these and those governing the intellectual and mental functions are more powerful and intense. Activation of these requires long-term devout s³dhan³s.

The spiritual endeavors (s³dhan³s) of Kundalini Jagarana, Shat-chakra Bhedana, Yogatrayee, Panchkosh Jagarana, Sukshmikarana, etc are similar with respect to the fact that they are aimed at the controlled awakening of the transcendental levels of consciousness in human body.  The deeper knowledge regarding subtlization of the consciousness energy-streams in the body and details of related spiritual practices are described in the ancient Indian treatises of yoga and spirituality.  Experiments in this direction could be tried only under adept guidance of accomplished yogis and spiritual masters after successful completion of sadhan³s of self-discipline and self-refinement and after in-depth understanding and realization of this enchanting but difficult field of knowledge.

Manifestation of Consciousness-Force in the Physical Sheath:

Human body is a complex ensemble of interlinked systems of over 75X1012 cells.  A large number of independent ‘streams’ of vital energy govern the activities of its various constituents.  The ‘power’ behind the biochemical activities of the nucleic acids, genes and chromosomes in reproduction and other genetically controlled processes, defensive power of the body manifested in immune response, inter-cellular communications, etc, are examples of these streams of creative forces. The vital energy in endocrine secretions, brain-impulses, bioelectrical and bio-magnetic functions is also a manifestation of the immense power of consciousness force indwelling our body.  

As far as its manifestations in the form of (bio) physico-chemical activities is concerned, the presence and extent of the vital energy streams of this force can be easily measured in modern laboratories by techniques like tissue histology, ELISA, ECG, EMG, …, etc.  The subtler effects of these vital powers are tremendous. These can be awakened and experienced by certain practices of yoga.  

In this article we shall highlight some aspects concerning manifestations of consciousness energy in regulation of neuro-hormonal secretions.

Hormonal activities begin right at the level of embryogenesis. Even before embryogenesis, the electrical energy necessary for the stability of the sperm is `supplied' by the mother's hormone.  The transmission of sansk³ras (intrinsic impressions on the unconscious mind) via genetic information also takes place with the help of these hormones, which ultimately govern the development of the body and the personality as a whole.  

When the embryo after developing into a complete body enters the outer ionic environment, then its protection from the harmful interactions and appropriate control of its adaptive processes is also governed by specific hormonal activities.  The secretion of hormones is controlled by the subtle consciousness existing in the brain. The seven glands, namely, the Pineal, Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Thymus, Adrenal and Gonads, are spread from top to bottom within the body and control all the biochemical activities during its lifetime by the secretion of various hormones.   The secretion of hormones inside a human body also maintains the psychology of concerned person.  The sexual abilities and temperament of a person depend largely on the levels of specific hormonal activities in his/her body.    

The simple   yoga- practices of   Bandh, Mudra, Asanas, etc along with disciplined diet and austere life-style help in establishing control over various hormonal activities.  The regulation of hormonal secretion thereby maintains the harmony between different parts of the body and various physiological and mental activities and emotions. This balance and smooth functioning of mind-body system are essential for practicing the higher levels of spiritual upliftment.

Some astrochemists and cosmobiologists have found that individual consciousness is subtly linked to the universal consciousness and that this mutual relationship is manifested in the natural hormonal secretion processes within the body.  They mention of some direct effects of the Sun upon the Pineal gland, Moon upon the Pituitary, Mars upon Parathyroid, Jupiter upon Adrenal and Venus upon Gonads.  Further scientific investigations into these relationships would help in deep understanding of the Indian scriptures, which describe the spiritual modes of receiving desired levels of energy currents from the universe. Study of neurotransmission in the light of the ancient texts would be vast like investigating correlation of the generation of subatomic particles like meson and neutrino, etc and the energy fields in the cosmos vis-à-vis scientific interpretation of Vedic cosmology.


Human body in the living state is like a natural powerhouse. Bioelectricity of a person and the subtle system of universal vital energy field (called the etheric double in Theosophy) are interlinked. Every cell, tissue and organ of our body is charged with bioelectricity.  Control of the cell-membrane potentials by the sodium-potassium pump, ADP, ATP systems and cyclic AMP etc are examples of the electrochemical reactions responsible for the intercellular communications and hence for the regulation of various physiological/ biochemical activities in our body.

A couple of decades ago, Dr. Fred Wales had studied the electrical metabolism. An analysis of his results shows that during respiration every living being inhales negative ions which are dispersed through out the body – electrifying its constituent units.  These ions are transmitted back into the surrounding atmosphere through the skin pores creating an electrical circuit thereby.  Modern instruments have helped in a detailed study of this process of absorption (respectively excretion) of the negative ions by the lungs (respectively the skin pores).  With the help of piezoelectric and pyroelectric sensors and recording of metabolite variations, the functioning of human body can be mapped and analyzed as that of a bioelectric system.  

Many tissues of our body function like specific crystals and work like transducers used in   solid-state physics.  Every carbon atom in this body has a capacity to store electrical energy.  It is only in some exceptional situations that the static electrical storage of the vital system is found suddenly activated. However, the processes of spiritual s³dhan³s make it possible to utilize this enormous electrical potential for desired effects. The immediate and simple manifestations of these effects are seen in the form of the development of an energetic, enthusiastic and bright personality.  

The resistance power of the body also depends on this bioelectricity.  This power can be awakened by the practice of “hansyoga” of sauha® s³dhan³.  Even the voice and speech of such yogis of this s³dhan³ can influence their surroundings by the sublime bioelectric effects.

Biomagnetism and Bioelectricity are the powers activated in different states within the body.  As mentioned earlier, the domain of influence of the aura, psychic healing, vital passing, gazing, hypnotism and ïaktipat (transmission of spiritual energy by spiritually more powerful persons into the devotees) etc, are the processes related to biomagnetism that are often practiced by the yogis.  

The magnetic field around the heart in a generally healthy adult human being is approximately 5X10-11 Tesla when measured by a magnetocardiogram.  Sensitive instruments like dual channel SQUID can be used to measure the minute changes in the magnetic current in the conduction system of the heart with respect to the flow of the vital energy.  These sophisticated instruments have also made it possible to measure the magnetic field around the two poles (the sahastr³ra and m¿l³dhara chakras) of the dipole magnet in the spinal- cord (suÌumn³).

With the advancement of EMG techniques it is now possible to measure the D.C. potential around the upper pole (situated at the top of the central brain) of the above-mentioned biomagnet.  Different types of meditations are described in the ancient Indian science of spirituality for the purpose of enhancing biomagnetism, inner will and ‘penetrating’ the mind sheath – manomaya koïa, that is, awakening the Psychic Consciousness.  Dedicated learning and persistent spiritual practices enable true saints and seers attain a supernatural willpower, foresight, memory, emotional strength and mental acumen.

Modern science has just begun to realize the importance of neurohumoral secretions in generating supernatural potentials as described in detail in some ancient Indian scriptures.  Some recent scientific experiments on neurohumoral secretions indicate that the devotional practice of meditation with purity of thoughts by ascetic persons results in the secretion of several hormones like dopamine, serotonin, endorphin, encephalin, and acetylcholine, etc, which in turn increase the internal happiness, concentration, memory, emotional maturity and overall body energy in such persons. As a dedicated disciple (s³dhak) of spiritual training reaches higher levels of spiritual attainments, the subtler layers of consciousness get unfolded. Rare and specific kinds of neurohumoral secretions are natural consequences of this process.

Different postures   (mudras) of   yoga along with meditation help faster attainment of the desired effects.  Some well-known supramental powers normally attained during the spiritual practices of awakening of the intuitive consciousness (vigy³namaya koïa) are — telepathy, prophecy, capabilities of converting one form of matter into another, etc.

It should be noted that a true seer-sage never uses these powers for a mere display of magic aimed at gaining popularity, instead, he/she makes a careful and timely utilization of such powers only for the welfare of all living beings.

Ancient Indian scriptures mention a great deal about the crown chakra (sahastr³ra chakra) an absolutely peaceful and blissful state of human consciousness. The Reticular activation system (RAC) and the corticle nuclei in the human brain are given importance in higher-level functions of the brain in scientific research.  In the present era, a little but significant knowledge about the RAC has come into light with the help of advanced medical electronics.   Histopathological analysis of the electrical stimulation of this system by external field has shown that the corticle nuclei help awaken otherwise dormant areas of the mind under the controlled and continuous stimulation given by the RAC via thalamic projection.

Deep meditation (trance) during the higher levels of spiritual practices like nididdhy³sana, praty³hara and sam³dhi, is found to create such effects, which help link the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.

It may be noted that in order to make the scientific explanation comprehensible, only some simple aspects of the human consciousness are described here. A complete analysis of the human consciousness would require leap advancement of research in neuro-sciences before the latter can attempt investigations in this regard.  The highest stage of the spiritual endeavor (s³dhan³) of awakening the beatitudinous consciousness (anandmaya koïa) and realization of the supreme self (ayam³tma brah®) cannot be described in words. Its study is beyond the grasp of modern science.