In Kaśmir Śaivism, the 36 tattvas describe the Absolute, its internal aspects and the creation including living beings, down to the physical reality. The addition of 11 supplemental tattvas compared to the Sāṃkhya allows for a richer, fuller vision of the Absolute. Going from śiva to pṛithvī tattva we find the process of manifestation, the creation of the universe; going the opposite way we find the process of spiritual evolution culminating with the dissolution in Śiva.
Tattvas divide into three groups: Ashuddha , or impure (material, sensorial, the organs of action, the mind and the ego), Shuddhashuddha , or pure-impure (the soul and its limitations) and Shudda , or pure (internal aspects of the Absolute). The impure tattvas are the domain of objectivity and duality, the pure-impure tattvas are the domain of knowledge and the pure tattvas are the domain of transcendental unity and non-differentiation.
The five mahābhūtas
The five mahābhūtas are the ingredients of the physical world. They represent the final point of manifestation, where light (Prakāśa) is condensed into matter, yet, at the same time, the mahābhūtas remain identical with Śiva.
pṛithvī - earth
Pṛithvī tattva is produced by gandha tattva (medium for olfactory sensations). It is also the abode of Kuṇḍalinī Śakti , the energy that resides in potentiality at the base of the column. Kuṇḍalinī Śakti is identical to Para Śakti when it emerges and rises to the top chakra.
According to ṣaḍādhvān the material world is created by Prakāśa (spiritual light, uncreated light). Kaśmir Śaivism describes the reflection of the top principle ( Śiva tattva ) right into the lowest principle ( Pṛithvī tattva ) - an idealist monistic world view where transcendence is present right in the middle of physical. Thus, there is no dualism between spirit and matter.
Pṛithvī tattva signifies concreteness, stability, patience, strength, abundance, nurturing and protection. Pṛithvī is symbolised by the Mother Earth - a universal symbol for fecundity, inexhaustible creativity and sustenance. Pṛithvī ' s specific shape is square, the specific color is yellow-brown. Its corresponding force center is Muladhara Chakra.
jala - water
Jala tattva (also known as apas tattva ) refers to the liquid state. It is produced by Rasa tattva (the medium for taste sensations). Jala can assume any form, or we can say it contains all the possible forms. That is why it has been a symbol of the non-manifested, unlimited potentialities and the transcendence. Its basic state is passive and it can become the receptacle of various impressions and energies (for example, the Holy water is sanctified by the descent of the Holy Spirit).
Other symbols associated with Jala tattva are: the power of purification, the subconscious mind, empathy, sexuality, abundance, power to dissolve, regenerate, the medium where the human life appears (amniotic fluid), the birthplace of life on our planet (primeval ocean) and the mythical chaos and formlessness that precedes creation. Waters exist before and after any cycle of creation. The linear flow of water as a river signifies the flow of time. Water immersion signifies the ritual regression to the original principle, reincorporation into the undifferentiated .
tejas - fire
tejas tattva is produced by Rūpa tattva , the medium for visual sensations and corresponds to the third chakra, Manipura Chakra. Some of the qualities of fire are: solar, masculine, dynamic, restless and extroverted. Tejas is associated with the digestive fire, passion, intuition and the uncreated light of consciousness (Prakasa). Traditionally it has been associated with a number of animals, both real and mythical: lion, fox, horse, salamander, phoenix and dragon. The tattvic form of Tejas is the upwards pointing triangle and the tattvic color is red.
The concept of agni (fire) is associated with the concept of soma (nectar) forming a complementary pair. Soma is fuel to agni and it quenches its continuous thirst. From their union a new creation is born, and vice versa, the pair agni - soma appears everywhere there is a creative process. For example in a loving couple, passion is agni and the loved one is soma . In the human body, digestion is agni and food is soma . In the tantric sexual alchemy, there is the pair tejas (agni) - ojas (soma). Even on a larger scale, in a star, the atomic fire is agni and the hydrogen fuel is soma . When one looks carefully we can find a soma for any agni . In the human psychic, agni acts as desire and intentional will, and soma is whatever is the object of that desire or will.
vāyu - air
Vāyu tattva is produced by Sparśa tattva (the medium for the tactile sensations).
The symbolism of air contains among other: masculine, yang, mobile, dry, subtle and elevated. It is a symbol for freedom, open spaces, intellect, mind, the ability to fly, penetrate anywhere (like air does), intangible and elusive (like the wind). Breath symbolises life, to breathe is to assimilate spiritual power. In many languages breath is associated to the notion of soul:
- in Arabic and Hebrew the word "ruh" signifies both "breath" and "spirit"
- in Sanskrit, "atman" means breath, soul or vital principle
- in Greek, "psyche" means both breath and life, soul
- in Latin, "anima" means both breath and soul
- in Romanian, the word "suflet" means soul, and comes from the word "suflu" which means breath
Vāyu tattva is considered to be the vehicle of prana; prana is the vital energy (etheric energy) that forms the etheric body ( Pranamaya Kosa ). Its tattvic shape is the circle, the color is blue.
ākāśa - ether
Ākāśa tattva is produced by Śabda , the medium for auditive sensations and is associated with the fifth chakra, Viśuddha. Ākāśa is fundamentally different from the other four mahābhūtas as it is non manifested in the physical world - it is the void, the space, support of the other four tattvas yet, unlike them, untouchable and unseen.
Ākāśa tattva is also called the aether or "fifth element". It is invisible, all pervading - a symbol of the spirit. It appears empty yet it contains huge energies (the energy of the void).
Aether is associated to the sky, has no qualities (hot or cold, wet or dry, no odor) and is unchangeable. Ākāśa is the support of the cosmic memory (the ākāśic records). Its form is the ovoid. The ovoid is the form of Brahmāṇḍa , the primordial world-egg, origin of the creation.
The five tanmātras - subtle mediums of the sensations
While mahābhūtas are the basis for the material world, sensations and perceptions are but limited aspects and views of it, in no way able to fully describe it. We cannot actually perceive the reality, all we can access are limited "bands" of information that form a description of reality. This restriction however applies only to the limited beings ( jiva , or aṇu ). For one who has gone beyond māyā , in the realm of the pure tattvas , there can be direct perception of reality, because as one's self is Atman, so are the external objects. In such a state an enlightened being can perceive the world beyond the five senses (direct perception), in a state of diversity in unity and unity in diversity. Another way to put it is that he then recognizes ( Pratyabhijña ) himself ( Atman ) in any object.
These bands of information are the five tanmātras . Being closer to the subject than the physical reality, tanmātras are more elevated than mahābhūtas and are
Living the Anatomy of Hatha Yoga
Dr. Laurier-Pierre Desjardins May 7 – 13, 2006 (Arrival: May 6, departure: May 14) This course provides yoga teachers and advanced practitioners with a deeper understanding of ...
Body and Breath - Welcome
T he purpose of this web site is to explore the anatomy and physiology of hatha yoga, including discussion of breathing exercises, abdominal exercises, pelvic exercises, standing ...
Body and Breath - The Book
Hardcover: 623 pages ISBN: 0-9707006-0-1 Dimensions (inches) 1.25 x 9.25 x 6.25. Retail: $40 US Order Now. Anatomy of Hatha Yoga A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners
Amazon.com: Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers ...
Amazon.com: Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners (9780970700605): H. David Coulter, Timothy McCall: Books
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by David Coulter
Astanga yoga studio in Burlington, Vermont USA offering instruction, workshops and yoga clothing (including Saka Yoga Bags), yoga books, ashtanga videos, yoga mats and supplies.
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: Amazon.ca: Coulter David H.: Books
In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 39. Details
RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting
http://rapidshare.com/files/78455073/anatomy_of_hatha_yoga.pdf | 80836 KB
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for ...
Thorough and meticulous This book is required for the yoga teacher training I am enrolled in. I've read it from cover to cover and I was blown away by the amount of information ...
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers and ...
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers and Practitioners: Amazon.co.uk: David Coulter: Books
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga (#2586) :: Top General Yoga Books from Yoga.com
Yoga.com's general yoga books and related products are great for living a life in balance. Buy our general yoga books or browse any of yoga.com's related products.