Physical body (Theosophy)
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The Physical body is understood in Theosophy as simply the last of seven progressively denser "vehicles of consciousness".
In Blavatskyian Theosophy it is called by the Vedantic name sthula sarira - "gross body" - and distingusihed from the linga sarira, the "subtle body" or astral double. These two, along with the kama and prana principles, constitute the "lower quaternary", the mortal or transitory aspect of the human being, as opposed to the higher three principles (triad) of the septenary.
In later Theosophy, and Theosophically-derived New Age teachings (C. W. Leadbeater, Alice Bailey, David Tansley, Barbara Brennan), the Physical body is distinguished from the etheric body, which serves as its "blueprint", and the structures of the etheric body, such as the chakras, are mirrored in the main glands and nerve ganglia of the physical body. It is stated that by working with and balancing these subtle energies, it is possible to heal physical ailments.
[edit] References
- Annie Besant, "Theosophy" online
- H.P. Blavatsky, The Key to Theosophy
- Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light : A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field, Bantam Books, 1987
