The 3 bodies

Vehicles of the soul

While many of us would question whether there really is such a thing as a soul, the yogi is convinced that “I am a soul that is manifesting itself in a body.” Yoga philosophy regards the body as the vehicle of the soul on its way to enlightenment and refers to not just one body, but to three bodies, each being more subtle than the other.

The physical body

Is part of the food cycle and is experienced only in the waking state.

The astral body

Contains life energy (prana) as well as the senses and the mind. It is experienced in the waking and dream states.

The causal body

Is where happiness and joy are experienced in all three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming and deep sleep.