ABSTRACT

The seven sheaths of the human body are as follows: the physical or elementary body; the etheric body or vital force; the astral or sidereal body; the animal or irrational soul; the human or rational soul; the spiritual soul and the Universal Soul or Spirit. The seven bodies from the Elementary to the Universal are seven coatings of the whole or completely manifested man. The knowledge of the Knower is embedded in the spiritual Soul, the sixth constituent of man. This spiritual Soul by purposeful and patient practice of yoga, or metaphysical perception, after a constant communion with the Universal Spirit as subject and object at length becomes one with the Universal. On the practical side yogic study guarantees youth, health, strength, vitality and longevity, and on the esoteric side develops intuition, inspiration, vision of God in the inner person and oneness in essence with the impersonal God-Spirit.