What Are We Made Of? Exploring the Human Constitution through Theosophy, Religion, Science, and Ancient Wisdom

Introduction: The Universal Mystery of Being Human

You have embarked on a noble journey—the journey to understand yourself. What is a human being, truly? Are we mere flesh and bones, guided by thoughts and emotions, or is there a deeper essence within us—a divine spark, a soul that connects us to the universe?

This question has intrigued humanity for millennia. From the sacred Vedic scriptures of India to the mystical Kabbalah of the Jewish tradition, from the teachings of Christ to the latest revelations in quantum physics, the nature of human existence has been a subject of profound inquiry.

In this guide, we will walk together through the layers of your being, peeling back the veils of the material world and uncovering the spiritual truth at your core. The sevenfold constitution of man, as taught in Theosophy by Annie Besant and C.W. Leadbeater, offers a map—a spiritual blueprint—showing how our being extends far beyond the body and mind.

Let us begin this exploration. With patience and reverence, we will look at your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual nature, helping you understand how each layer functions and how they interconnect to reveal your true self.

Section 1: The Seven Principles of the Human Being

In Theosophy, it is taught that you are not merely a physical body. You are a multi-layered being with seven interwoven principles, each contributing to your experience of life. These principles represent different aspects of your being, from the most material to the most spiritual. Let’s walk through each of them carefully:

1. Sthula Sharira (Physical Body):
   This is the body you can see and touch. It is your instrument for interacting with the world. Just as a musical instrument plays melodies, your body carries your thoughts and feelings into action. While it is transient—born, ages, and dies—its purpose is to serve as the vehicle for your soul’s journey on Earth.Practice: Be mindful of your body. Honor it with healthful habits like exercise, proper nutrition, and rest. The body is your sacred temple.
2. Prana (Vital Energy):
   Think of Prana as the life force that flows through you. It is the energy that sustains the physical body, much like electricity flows through wires to power machines. Without it, the body would not function. In Eastern traditions such as Yoga and Qi Gong, it is often referred to as “Chi” or “Qi.”Practice: Through breathwork and conscious breathing exercises (such as Pranayama in Yoga), you can cultivate and direct this vital energy, increasing vitality and harmony in your life.
3. Linga Sharira (Etheric Double):
   This is an energetic double of your physical body. It exists in the subtle realms, acting as a blueprint or template for your physical form. The Etheric Double is responsible for health and well-being, and it can be influenced by energy healing practices.Practice: Meditate on your energetic body. Visualize light surrounding your physical form. This can heal and strengthen the connection between your physical and subtle bodies.
4. Kama (Desire Body):
   The desire body is where your emotions and passions reside. It is the realm of instinct, of wants, and unrefined urges. This part of you often drives decisions based on attachment and aversion, causing suffering and discontent.Practice: Through mindfulness and self-awareness, observe your desires without attachment. Meditate on the nature of your attachments and begin to transcend them through compassion and inner peace.
5. Manas (Mind):
   Manas is the mental principle. It is the thinking mind, responsible for intellect and rational thought. There are two aspects to it: the Lower Manas (the egoic mind, concerned with personal identity and desires) and the Higher Manas (the higher mind, which is connected to abstract thought and spirituality).Practice: Cultivate your Higher Manas by engaging in spiritual studies, reflection, and meditation. Seek to transcend the egoic thoughts that arise from the Lower Manas and elevate your mind to higher wisdom.
6. Buddhi (Intuition or Spiritual Soul):
   Buddhi represents spiritual wisdom and intuition. It is the principle that connects you to your higher self, guiding you with compassion, discernment, and clarity. It is the vehicle for universal knowledge and divine truth.Practice: Open yourself to your intuition through quiet contemplation and listening to your inner voice. Trust the wisdom that arises from a deep connection to your higher nature.
7. Atma (Spirit):
   Atma is the pure divine essence within you. It is the source of all life, the eternal soul that is one with the Universe. It is beyond form, beyond thought. In the deepest sense, you are Atma, as is every living being.Practice: In meditation, transcend the mind and body to experience the pure, formless state of Atma. Know that you are not just the physical form but an eternal, infinite spirit.

Section 2: Groupings of the Seven Principles

Now that we have explored the seven principles individually, let us group them into three main categories to help you better understand how they work together.

1. The Lower Self (Personality):
   This includes the Physical Body, Prana, the Etheric Double, and Kama. These principles form the personality you express in this world—the part of you that interacts with the material world. However, they are transient and impermanent.
2. The Higher Self (Individuality):
   This is composed of the Higher Manas, Buddhi, and Atma. These principles represent your true, eternal self. They guide you toward wisdom, compassion, and spiritual growth. They are immortal, and their influence lasts far beyond this lifetime.
3. The Bridge (Antahkarana):
   The Antahkarana is the bridge that connects the Lower and Higher selves. It is the path you travel to integrate all aspects of your being. Through practices like meditation, prayer, and ethical living, you build this bridge, allowing the higher energies to influence your life.

Section 3: Religious and Cultural Parallels

The seven principles are not just a concept in Theosophy; they have parallels in many spiritual traditions. Let’s explore how they appear in different belief systems:

• Hinduism:
  In the Vedantic tradition, the Koshas (sheaths) describe the layers of the human being, similar to the seven principles. These include the physical body (Annamaya Kosha) and the subtle bodies (Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya Koshas).
• Kabbalah:
  The Kabbalistic Tree of Life outlines the different levels of the soul (Nefesh, Ruach, Neshamah, Chayah, and Yechidah) that correspond to the principles from the physical body to the divine essence.
• Christianity:
  Christianity speaks of body, soul, and spirit, echoing the tripartite nature of the human being. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes, “May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
• Islam:
  The concept of Nafs (self), Qalb (heart), and Ruh (spirit) is present in Islamic mysticism, particularly in Sufism. These layers of the self mirror the principles of the Theosophical model.

Section 4: Scientific and Psychological Interpretations

While science does not directly align with spiritual models like Theosophy, there are significant parallels between the subtle bodies and modern scientific understandings:

• Neuroscience:
  The brain’s conscious, subconscious, and superconscious minds correspond to the different levels of Manas. The Higher Manas represents the abstract, higher-thinking mind.
• Quantum Physics:
  Quantum biology and the study of biofields suggest that the human body operates through energetic patterns. These fields align with the Etheric Double and Prana, explaining how energy flows through the body to maintain life.
• Psychology:
  Carl Jung’s concept of the archetypes and collective unconscious reflects the soul’s higher aspects, particularly Buddhi and Atma, while the lower, more ego-centered aspects of the psyche correspond to Kama and Lower Manas.

Section 5: Living as a Sevenfold Being

Now that you understand the structure of your being, how can you begin to live according to your highest potential? The key is integrating all seven principles and aligning your life with the higher self. Here are some practices you can adopt:

1. Physical Care (Sthula Sharira):
   Honor your body with proper care: exercise, balanced diet, and restful sleep.
2. Vital Energy (Prana):
   Practice Pranayama or breathwork to cultivate life force energy. Visualize light flowing through your body to energize your being.
3. Healing the Emotional Body (Kama):
   Engage in emotional healing practices such as journaling, therapy, or meditation. Release attachments and lower emotions.
4. Mental Clarity (Manas):
   Meditate regularly to sharpen your mind and connect with higher wisdom. Avoid overindulgence in distracting thoughts.
5. Spiritual Awakening (Buddhi and Atma):
   Sit in silence, attuning yourself to your highest wisdom and the divine essence within you. Through prayer and contemplation, align yourself with divine truth.

Section 6: What Is the Higher Self?

The Higher Self is the divine essence within you, the Atma, that has come into this physical world to learn and evolve. It is your true self, untainted by the illusions of the ego and the transient nature of life. Recognizing and connecting with the Higher Self is the ultimate aim of spiritual practice.

Through consistent meditation, study, and self-inquiry, you can begin to access this higher state of consciousness. As you quiet the mind and open your heart, the divine light within you will shine ever brighter.

Conclusion: Embracing Our Full Nature

You are far more than your body and mind. You are a divine being, a soul on a journey through the material world. As you learn to integrate the seven principles of your being, you move closer to self-realization and inner peace.

Embrace the wisdom that flows from your Higher Self, and allow it to guide your actions. Your true nature is one with the Universe, and by realizing this, you step into the full potential of your spiritual journey.

May your path be illuminated with light, wisdom, and love.