The Atma Jyoti Blog

Q: You made this statement in the Christian Vegetarian Diet post:

“When we realize that any physical object has all the levels which we do, namely, the physical, biomagnetic, sensory, intellectual and will bodies, we can understand the importance of the kind and quality of food we eat. For not only does the physical substance of the food become assimilated into our physical body, so also do the subtler energies become united to our inner levels.”

How do you know ALL physical objects have an intellectual and a will body? How do you know a vegetable has an intellectual body for instance?

The Sankhya Philosophy (and all the other darshanas–orthodox systems of Indian philosophy), which includes the oldest form of Physics, postulates that all material objects possess five levels or koshas (sheaths/bodies).

The universe is considered to have five layers that correspond to the five Cosmic Elements (Mahabhutas or Panchabhutas). The Primal Element, of course, is Pure Consciousness Itself–God, Brahman, or Paramatman. On this ocean of Consciousness everything is based or “floating.” Akasha, the Etheric Element, floats upon Consciousness, Vayu, the Air Element, floats upon Akasha, Agni, the Fire Element, floats upon Vayu, Apa, the Water, Element, floats upon Agni, and Prithvi, the Earth Element, floats upon Apa. Nothing can exist in the material world that is not supported by the other five levels or elements. Thus all things possess five layers or “bodies.” These elements or bodies are really bands or bundles of energies.

In most objects, the levels are purely potential, or at best dimly awakened. But in sentient beings, they are all active, though in varying degrees according to the level of evolution. The bodies correspond to atomic, biomagnetic, sensory-mind, intellectual, and will energies or levels (faculties). In the human being these five are alive–but the degree of life also depends on individual evolution.

Vegetables possess all levels, mostly in the form of “raw” or unconditioned life energies (prana). Thus they absorb readily into our bodies and the subtle levels of our being, and become conditioned by our thoughts and the present vibratory character of our bodies.

This is not true of animals. Rather, all their levels are conditioned and locked into the vibratory patterns proper to their species. Thus, when we eat them we graft the animal bodies into our human bodies and create conflict and havoc, darkening–and distorting–our minds to an incalculable extent. Eating meat is one of the worse things we can do to ourselves, and it renders the practice of yoga and the wakening of higher consciousness virtually impossible.

(I know you did not ask about animals, but it seemed good to complete the picture.)

Read more about the importance of vegetarianism for spiritual seekers:

• Spiritual Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
• The Four Soul Killers
• Questions and Answers on Vegetarianism

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