On certain days, happiness seems to vanish and hide, like a shy visitor missing from show-through. But in yogic philosophy, we are composed of five layers, much like a cosmic onion would have. The Anandamaya Kosha is the most profound layer, glittering with pleasure. If you can pay attention to this layer, life could seem to glide rather than like plodding through mud. Get more info!
Neither browsing social media nor overanalyzing your supper options will reveal this secret delight. You must sit quietly, concentrate inside, and allow your attention drop deep to find it. Start with calm, rhythmic breathing called pranayama. Breathe as though nowhere else exists. Your ribcage lifts with every breath; stress fades away with every exhale. Your fears gradually separate layer by layer.
Like changing a radio dial, chanting mantras helps tune your thinking. Then one OM, then another. Initially, especially if you’re alone in the living room, it could feel ridiculous; but, once you let go of trying to “get it right,” the air around you starts to warm. Your tummy softens, and a tiny bubble of satisfaction bursts up—uninvited but welcome.
Where things truly change is meditation. Half closed eyes, heavy body, but your mind starts to float. Minutes pass by undetectable. Then clarity creeps in like a forgotten childhood song lyric that comes back into your thoughts. Anxiety shrinks in the silence. Sometimes laughing springs up and its mystery surprises your logical thinking.
The art of conscious sleep, yoga nidra, magnifies all of this. Eventually you find the peaceful center where tranquility just rests, waiting as you meander among the layers of your body, energy, ideas, and wisdom. Not extravagant pyrotechnics or huge declarations; simply a soft “it’s okay” resonating in every cell.
One teacher might say, “Bliss is your birthright.” Some would roll their eyes, but that incredulity disappears after a week of rehearsal and a very happy day. Bliss does not make an announcement about itself. When your guard is down and your breath slows, it gently slips in and sits at your table.
This happy layer is not about always feeling great or whirling about with cosmic jazz hands. Monday mornings seem a little less unpleasant and your coffee tastes better because of a faint undercurrent. Though Anandamaya Kosha won’t be able to cure every issue, one conscious breath at a time reminds us that happiness can silently stay inside and just wait to be acknowledged.