Our thoughts are not simply engineered by the brain, they are influenced by our experiences of joy, sensations of physical pain, memories of loss or regret and patterns in our daily lives. We might think that meditation or Dhyana, for example, is the only tool that can help the mind, but this is not true. Focus on positive experiences, singing, chanting, mantra, or movement in the body can all have beneficial effects on the mind.

The layer of behavior or personality is Vigñānamaya, which means individuality, or “what makes you special”. This includes all of your experiences, memories and daily habits. It profoundly affects all of the other aspects of self and is within your control to shift through physical movement, breathwork, meditation, mantra and self inquiry.

In the Bird Model, the breath Prāṇāyāma goes everywhere and affects everything. When the body is at rest, the breath is even and smooth. When the thoughts are racing, the breath is rapid and shallow. When we recall stressful moments, we feel palpitations in the heart. When we have feelings of love and hope, the breath is full. The breath is all pervading.

In the Panchamaya model this layer is referred to as Anandamaya, which translates to “joy”. This is so much more specific than emotion because it indicates the highest expression of feeling, or absence thereof. What brings you joy? Is there a void in your life where joy could be? How does this affect your mind, your body, your behavior?

Our body is made of cells and blood which build tissues, it gives us our structure form and is referred to as the Annamaya kosha. Moving our bodies is a great way to feed these components, but breath work can also deliver nourishment as it rides on the pathways of the nervous system and reduces inflammation and to create space for healthy cells to grow.