Welcome, Dear Readers!
Surely, many of you are aware that the human being is
not composed solely of the physical dimension, consciousness, and
subconsciousness, as is commonly accepted within the perception of Western
civilization. In essence, our existence extends across seven levels (although
some add more or name them slightly differently, emphasizing other aspects,
such as the emotional body, which is not included here); these are the
so-called Planes of Existence, which remain under the influence of the most
varied forces. In today's article, you will become familiar with the seven
Planes of Being and their characteristics.
The Theory of the Seven Planes of Existence, as a
coherent and detailed system, was largely created and refined within the
Theosophical Society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although
the idea of planes itself has its roots in ancient Vedic philosophy, in the
traditions of Indian yogis (especially in the concept of the koshas – the five
sheaths) and even in the Kabbalah, the systematic scheme of the seven levels,
known today in the West, was modeled by Theosophical leaders such as Helena Blavatsky,
Annie Besant, and Charles W. Leadbeater. They organized the esoteric knowledge
of the East and the West, creating a detailed hierarchy of the evolution of the
Self and human consciousness, which has become a pillar of contemporary Western
esotericism and the New Age movement.
1. The Physical Body and the Physical Plane
In Theosophy, the Physical Plane is the densest and
most easily perceptible level of Existence, encompassing the entire material
universe. Its existence is made possible by the Etheric Plane, which acts as a
more subtle and immaterial energetic template, sustaining the physical form and
life. This Plane includes all matter – from solids, through liquids, to gases –
and is governed by the laws of nature studied by modern physics. It is
precisely at this level that Consciousness experiences itself through the dense
physical body, which serves as an instrument for learning, action, and
sensation in three-dimensional space and linear time. The actual Physical Plane
is theosophically divided into seven sub-levels, four of which are visible
(solid, liquid, gaseous) and the remaining three (the etheric) are invisible
but crucial for life.
This level, in the Theosophical scheme of evolution,
is chosen as the sphere of greatest limitation, which simultaneously means the
greatest opportunity for growth. Through successive incarnations on the
Physical Plane, the individual soul (the Ego) gains experience, developing the
will, fulfilling karma, and accumulating knowledge. The Physical Plane is not
merely an illusion, but a real basis where the individual must confront the
results of action and consequence (the Karma). This level is fundamental because
only here, through the interaction of the physical body with the external
world, can the soul exert a tangible influence and achieve specific stages of
spiritual evolution that would be impossible on subtler, higher planes.
The Physical Plane is closely related to the Etheric
Body (or Etheric Double), which is the immaterial "twin" of the
physical body and belongs to the physical level. The Etheric Body is
responsible for the absorption and distribution of vital energy (Prana) from
the cosmos to the entire physical body, ensuring the flow of energy and
physical health. Through this etheric body, the Physical Plane also connects
with the Astral Plane (of the emotions), allowing emotions and thoughts to
influence physical health and well-being. Therefore, although the Physical
Plane is the densest, it is an immensely important and key element in the cycle
of the individual soul's experiences.
2. The Etheric Body and the Etheric Plane
The Etheric Plane (or Etheric Double), in Theosophy
and related esoteric schools, is the most subtle sub-level of the Physical
Plane, acting as a bridge between dense matter and the higher, more subtle
spheres. It does not exist separately but permeates and surrounds all physical
matter, serving as its energetic matrix, or "double." This Plane is
composed of etheric matter, subtler than gas, but still belonging to the
physical universe. Its most important function is the absorption and distribution
of vital energy (Prana) from the cosmos to the entire physical body. The
Etheric Plane is responsible for vitality, cell regeneration, and physical
health, and its disturbances or lack of energy manifest directly as physical
illnesses.
The Etheric Plane acts as an intermediary in energy
transfer. It transmits impulses from the Astral (emotional) and Mental (mind)
Planes to the physical body, and also conveys physical sensations to the higher
planes. It is precisely the properties of the Etheric Body (or etheric sheath)
that enable conscious existence and life in physical form. At this level, the
chakra system exists – the main energy centers that function as
"vortices" through which Prana enters and is distributed throughout
the body. The Etheric Plane is directly related to all physical sensations,
which is why in esoteric practice, its strengthening and purification are
crucial for better health and for supporting spiritual growth.
Although the Etheric Plane is generally invisible to
the naked eye, it is sometimes called the aura of health and can be perceived
by exceptionally developed sight. The vibrations of etheric matter are closely
related to physical time and space; the Etheric Plane acts as a mechanism that
materializes karmic causes (arising on the higher Causal Plane) into physical
manifestation. Certain parapsychological phenomena are also attributed to it,
such as etheric projection (or travel in the Etheric Body), although the
Etheric Body itself disintegrates relatively quickly after physical death,
unlike the higher sheaths of the soul. Thus, it is an inseparable and vitally
important part of physical existence.
3. The Astral Plane and the Astral Body
The Astral Plane, known in esoteric cosmology as the
Plane of Emotions or the Plane of Desire, is the second most subtle level of
Being, situated between the Etheric and Mental Planes. This sphere is the
domain of all emotions, passions, desires, and strong longings, permeating the
physical world. For this reason, it is considered a rather chaotic level that
is easily mistaken for reality, as the emotional energies here are very intense
and capable of creating impressive, but illusory, visions and experiences. It
is precisely on the Astral Plane that most dreams and visions occur, and its
vibrations are closely related to human senses and momentary reactions to the
environment.
The expression of human consciousness at this level is
the Astral Body (or Emotional Sheath). This body is directly responsible for
the entire emotional nature of the human being, including both destructive
emotions (fear, anger, jealousy) and positive ones still related to attachment
(personal love, joy). After physical death, the soul goes to the Astral Plane,
where emotional purification takes place, called the second stage of death. In
this process, worldly desires and passions are left behind in the Astral
matter, so that the soul, becoming lighter, can continue ascending to the
quieter and spiritually higher Mental and Causal Planes.
Due to its vibratory nature, the Astral Plane serves
as a level of transmission, through which thought-forms from the Mental Plane
acquire an emotional charge, which is then conveyed to the physical body
through the Etheric Plane. Astral Projection is the phenomenon where
consciousness, along with the Astral Body, temporarily leaves the physical body
to travel in this world of emotions. It should be noted that the matter of the
Astral Plane is not eternal; the emotional sheath is created for each incarnation
and disintegrates after some time following physical death, once its work of
purification from emotional attachments has been completed.
4. The Mental Plane and the Mental Body
The Mental Plane, according to Theosophical cosmology,
is the third subtle level, situated above the Physical and Astral Planes,
acting as the sphere of the mind and ideas. It is the dimension of thought
substance, which permeates the physical world and is responsible for all
intellectual processes – logic, analysis, planning, learning, and memory. It is
considerably subtler than the astral sphere that governs emotions, and is
related to both concrete and abstract thoughts. Given its nature, it is traditionally
divided into two sub-levels: the lower mental level, where the everyday,
logical mind operates, and the higher level, often called the Causal Plane,
where higher, more abstract ideas related to the soul's karmic heritage are
processed.
The human equivalent at this level is the Mental Body
(or sheath), which functions as a generator of thoughts and a thinking tool. It
is precisely the Mental Body that enables us to create complex thought-forms
and systematize accumulated knowledge. It is continuously active and,
especially at the lower level, is closely linked to the emotional Astral Body,
which is why everyday thinking is often colored by emotions and desires. During
the soul's evolution, the aim is to purify this body by ascending to the
higher, Causal level. This transformation allows detachment from personal and
egoistic ideas, and instead, the attainment of objective, universal knowledge
and abstract, pure truths.
The Mental Plane is a key mechanism in the process of
evolution, because through it, the soul processes its experiences and is able
to make conscious choices that subsequently determine karma. Unlike the
emotions of the Astral Plane, which can be chaotic, the energy of the Mental
Plane is more ordered and directed, creating the foundation for spiritual
development. The Higher Mental Plane, which functions as the soul's
"treasury" (the Causal Body), stores all the accumulated wisdom and
lessons from many incarnations. Thus, this level marks the peak of individual
intellect and is a bridge to pure Intuition and the Buddhic Plane.
5. The Causal Plane and the Causal Body
The Causal Plane, in Theosophical and esoteric
cosmology, is the fourth – and the first truly spiritual – level of being,
often described as the Higher Mental Plane. This sphere, named after the word
Causa (cause), is the dwelling place of the real individual soul (the Ego),
which endures throughout the entire cycle of reincarnation. It is precisely at
this level that all karmic records are stored – that is, the seeds and causes
of all experiences that the soul will have to undergo in the future on the lower
levels. The Causal Plane is much subtler than the emotional (astral) and
logical (lower mental) planes, and its function is to process universal,
abstract truths, and intuitive insights that are independent of the variability
of the material world or personal emotions.
The equivalent of human consciousness at this level is
the Causal Body. It is the immortal sheath of the soul, which becomes
increasingly radiant and developed as the soul progresses on the path of
evolution. Unlike the lower sheaths (physical, etheric, astral, and lower
mental), which disintegrate after each physical death, the Causal Body remains.
It acts as a "principle of the spiritual seed" or a record of
individuality, gathering all the positive qualities, love, wisdom, and
spiritual lessons acquired over many lifetimes.
Upon reaching this level through deep meditation or
spiritual work, the individual experiences the feeling of true internal
identity, perceiving themselves not as a mortal personality, but as an evolving
soul participating in the great evolutionary process. The Causal Body serves as
a means of transmission that transfers the will and purposes of the Higher
Planes (Buddhic, Atmic) to the Mental Plane and below. It is a key tool of
evolution, whose ultimate goal is to become a vessel of light, the complete purification
of karma, and the union with an even higher sphere of being, the Buddhic
(Intuitional).
6. The Buddhic Plane and the Buddhic Body
The Buddhic Plane, also known as the Plane of
Intuition, is the fifth level in terms of subtlety in Theosophical cosmology,
situated above the Causal (Higher Mental) Plane. This Plane represents pure
intuition, spiritual wisdom, and universal love, transcending any logical
thinking or emotional attachments. It is the sphere where the soul begins to
grasp the essential unity of all forms of life and the integrity of all
existence, and the differences that seem so tangible on the lower planes
disappear completely. The Buddhic Plane is a direct bridge to the highest
Spiritual Being and is one of those states of consciousness where the
manifestation of Divinity can be experienced.
The human equivalent at this level is the Buddhic
Body. It is extremely subtle, radiant, and undefinable. The Buddhic Body is the
element of the spiritual sheath that allows the soul to experience the highest
bliss (Ananda) and pure, unconditional love. It is the soul liberated from the
limitations of the ego, where individuality (the Causal level) merges with
universality. The Buddhic Body acts as a receiver of intuition, capable of
perceiving the Truth instantaneously without the thinking process required on
the Mental Plane.
In the course of spiritual evolution, a fully
developed Buddhic Body symbolizes the achievement of discernment and the
fullness of wisdom, allowing the soul to guide others. When the soul completely
unites the Causal and Buddhic Planes, it becomes known as the Monad, the
manifestation of the Divine Spirit. The full achievement of the Buddhic Body
signifies liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of reincarnation. Although this
level is practically unattainable for the average person, it is the ultimate
goal of the Spiritual Journey, destined for all who aspire to unity with the
Divine Consciousness.
7. The Atmic Plane and the Atmic Body
The Atmic Plane, also called the Plane of Spirit, is
the sixth, exceptionally subtle and high level in the Theosophical hierarchy,
situated directly above the Buddhic (Intuition) Plane. This level represents
the Divine Will and the supreme Spirit (Atman) – the individualized spark of
Divinity that is the essence of every living being. The Atmic Plane is eternal
and immutable, reflecting the absolute calmness of Being and pure, non-dual
consciousness.
At this level, the individual aspect, the Atmic Body,
is the purest manifestation of spiritual will and power. It is not a body in
the traditional sense, but rather a sheath of pure Spirit, intended to express
the Divine will and purpose. When the soul completely merges with the Buddhic
Plane, it attains the properties of the Atmic Plane: absolute freedom and
Divine independence from the limitations of the lower levels. The Atmic Body,
acting in combination with the Buddhic Body, creates the Monad, the immortal
Triad of Spirit-Soul, which is the true identity of man.
The Atmic Plane is the final level of individual
development, before the transition to the Plane of the Logos (Monadic), the
level of universal Being. Spiritual evolution reaches its peak when
consciousness fully masters the Atmic Plane, becoming an active support of the
Divine Will in the universe. At this level, there is no longer a personal will,
but only the realization of the Divine Purpose. This is the supreme state that
individual consciousness can achieve in the cycle of incarnations.
The Rebellious Soul (The Rebellious Soul)
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