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A '''subtle body''' is one of a series of psycho-spiritual constituents of living [[beings]], according to various [[esoteric]], [[occult]], and [[mystical]] teachings. Each subtle body [[corresponds]] to a subtle plane of existence, in a [[hierarchy]] or great [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_chain_of_being chain of being] that [[culminates]] in the [[physical]] form.
It is known in [[different]] spiritual [[traditions]]; "the most sacred body" (''wujud al-aqdas'') and "supracelestial body" (''jism asli haqiqi'') in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism Sufism], "the diamond body" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism Taoism] and Vajrayana, "the light body" or "rainbow body" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism], "the body of bliss" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriya_Yoga Kriya Yoga], and "the immortal body" (''soma athanaton'') in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism Hermeticism]. The various attributes of the subtle body are frequently [[described]] in terms of often obscure [[symbolism]]: Tantra features references to the [[sun]] and [[moon]] as well as various Indian rivers and [[deities]], while Taoist [[alchemy]] speaks of cauldrons and cinnabar fields.
[[Clairvoyants]] sometimes say that they can see the subtle bodies as an [[aura]]. The [[practice]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_projection astral projection], as described in various [[literature]], is supposed to involve the [[separation]] of the subtle body from the [[physical]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy theosophical] movement was important in spreading such [[ideas]] throughout [[the West]] in the late 19th century. The [[existence]] of subtle bodies is unconfirmed by the [[mainstream]] [[scientific]] [[community]].
The Yogic, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra Tantric] and other systems of India, the Buddhist psychology of Tibet, as well as Chinese ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoist_alchemy Taoist alchemy]) and Japanese ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingon_Buddhism Shingon]) esoterism are examples of [[doctrines]] that describe a subtle [[physiology]] having a number of [[focal point]]s ([[chakras]], acupuncture points) connected by a series of channels ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadi_(yoga) nadis], Acupuncture [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(Chinese_medicine) meridians]) that convey life-force ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prana prana], vayu, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi ch'i, ki], lung).
These [[invisible]] [[channels]] and points are understood to determine the characteristics of the visible [[physical]] form. By [[understanding]] and mastering the subtlest levels of [[reality]] one gains mastery over the physical realm. Through [[practice]] of various [[breathing]] and [[visualisation]] exercises one is able to [[manipulate]] and direct the [[flow]] of vital force, to achieve [[superhuman]] (e.g. in martial arts) or [[miraculous]] powers ("[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhi siddhis]") and attain higher states of [[consciousness]], [[immortality]], or liberation.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_body]
[[Category: Religion]]
[[Category: Health]]
A '''subtle body''' is one of a series of psycho-spiritual constituents of living [[beings]], according to various [[esoteric]], [[occult]], and [[mystical]] teachings. Each subtle body [[corresponds]] to a subtle plane of existence, in a [[hierarchy]] or great [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_chain_of_being chain of being] that [[culminates]] in the [[physical]] form.
It is known in [[different]] spiritual [[traditions]]; "the most sacred body" (''wujud al-aqdas'') and "supracelestial body" (''jism asli haqiqi'') in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism Sufism], "the diamond body" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism Taoism] and Vajrayana, "the light body" or "rainbow body" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism], "the body of bliss" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriya_Yoga Kriya Yoga], and "the immortal body" (''soma athanaton'') in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism Hermeticism]. The various attributes of the subtle body are frequently [[described]] in terms of often obscure [[symbolism]]: Tantra features references to the [[sun]] and [[moon]] as well as various Indian rivers and [[deities]], while Taoist [[alchemy]] speaks of cauldrons and cinnabar fields.
[[Clairvoyants]] sometimes say that they can see the subtle bodies as an [[aura]]. The [[practice]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_projection astral projection], as described in various [[literature]], is supposed to involve the [[separation]] of the subtle body from the [[physical]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy theosophical] movement was important in spreading such [[ideas]] throughout [[the West]] in the late 19th century. The [[existence]] of subtle bodies is unconfirmed by the [[mainstream]] [[scientific]] [[community]].
The Yogic, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra Tantric] and other systems of India, the Buddhist psychology of Tibet, as well as Chinese ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoist_alchemy Taoist alchemy]) and Japanese ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingon_Buddhism Shingon]) esoterism are examples of [[doctrines]] that describe a subtle [[physiology]] having a number of [[focal point]]s ([[chakras]], acupuncture points) connected by a series of channels ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadi_(yoga) nadis], Acupuncture [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(Chinese_medicine) meridians]) that convey life-force ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prana prana], vayu, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi ch'i, ki], lung).
These [[invisible]] [[channels]] and points are understood to determine the characteristics of the visible [[physical]] form. By [[understanding]] and mastering the subtlest levels of [[reality]] one gains mastery over the physical realm. Through [[practice]] of various [[breathing]] and [[visualisation]] exercises one is able to [[manipulate]] and direct the [[flow]] of vital force, to achieve [[superhuman]] (e.g. in martial arts) or [[miraculous]] powers ("[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhi siddhis]") and attain higher states of [[consciousness]], [[immortality]], or liberation.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_body]
[[Category: Religion]]
[[Category: Health]]
