Physical body (Theosophy)

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Planes of existence

Subtle bodies

Theosophy

1. Divine plane: Deity Spirit; Word
2. Oversoulful plane: Holy Spirit
3. Spiritual plane: Spirit
4. Soulful plane: Soul
5a. Higher mental plane: mind
5b. Causal plane: Causal body
5c. Mental plane: body, projection
6. Astral plane: body, projection
7a-b. Etheric-Material plane:
Ethereal body, Material body, OBE

Rosicrucian

The 7 Worlds & the 7 Cosmic Planes
The Seven-fold constitution of Man
The Ten-fold constitution of Man

Thelema

Body of light | Thelemic mysticism

Surat Shabda Yoga

Cosmology

Sufism

Sufi cosmology

Hinduism
Lokas - Kosas
Buddhism
Buddhist cosmology
Kabbalah
Atziluth -> Beri'ah -> Yetzirah -> Assiah

Sephirot

Fourth Way

Ray of Creation
The Laws
Three Centers and Five Centers

Dungeons and Dragons

  Inner Plane
  Prime Material Plane
  Outer Plane

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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 distinguished 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] See also

[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