There’s a lot of occult literature out there about our various bodies being in layers or like sheaths: Soul Body, Vital Body Emotional Body, Mental Body, Etheric Body, Astral Body, Physical Body. The Teachers indicate that the layer “model” or conceptualization is somewhat misleading. “While they are generated from the inward to the outward by the ego, they are not as separate as the layers of onion skins. They are more interpenetrated.” (Saturday Session #8)
So what is a body, really? It’s a composite of capabilities.
The physical body is composed of groups of cells specialized in function giving the various capabilities of our body parts, among them the ability to experience, navigate and act in the physical realm. Similarly, the mental and emotional bodies are capabilities to experience, navigate and act in the mental and emotional realms which, like the physical realm, all humans create together and share.
What are soul bodies? Soul capabilities have to do with generating “egos” to fulfill missions working out the ramifications of the Laws. “Egos” are teams of “personalities” to do the work of enhancing the universe. The Teachers say that we, as personalities, don’t have souls, souls have us and we work on their missions to fulfill the 12 Soul Intentions (big subject).
So what’s the inner core holding these bodies together? The Teachers use the word “rod” to describe that unit of individuality at the center of us. It has been compared to our DNA. The well-known phrases “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” and “Spare the rod and spoil the child” show a common interpretation: The rod is used to help guide us along our appropriate path. In this instance, the rod defines or contains our capabilities and our uniqueness and regulates form.
So, how can you use this information? It doesn’t have to be complex. If you enhance your life moment by moment with love, joy and creative benefit to the world, you’re “good to go”.
