The Subtle Bodies

Psychic Energy System by Alex Grey © 1980

Many esoteric teachings refer to a number of distinct planes of existence, each with its own corresponding "vehicle" of consciousness,   Instead of a single physical body housing the soul (Dualism), we possess a series of "bodies" or "vehicles of consciousness", beyond all of which is the spiritual-soul principle.

The Dutch philosopher Dr J. J. Poortman completed in the 1950s a comprehensive four-volume historical, comparative, and philosophical study on this very subject, which has been translated into English [J. J. Poortman, Ochema - Vehicles of Consciousness, Utrecht, Adyar, 1978].

• The Indian five-self doctrine of the Taittiriya Upanishad
• The Hellenistic (Neoplatonic-Hermetic) idea of body, vital spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche), and Divine intellect (nous)
• The Advaita Vedantic theory of the five koshas ("sheaths").
• The Kabbalistic doctrine of five souls
• The original Theosophical doctrine of seven principles of consciousness (Blavastky)
• The later Theosophical doctrine of seven vehicles of consciousness (Adyar School)
• The Anthroposphical theory of physical body, etheric body, astral body, and Ego, (or body, soul, and spirit) (Rudolph Steiner)
• the general Theosophical-Anthroposophical-New Age conception
• Barbara Ann Brennan on the seven energy field bodies

See also:

The Aura | The Energy Bodies | Energetic Protection | Chakra Energies and Energy Balancing | The Circulation of the Light

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