by SS Gurudev Singh Khalsa, Austin TX
Summer 2016

The ability to experience our physical body has served us well throughout our long history of evolution, and has been instrumental to our survival. It tells the story of what we can see, touch and feel with our five senses. Millennia ago, a long lineage of seers—rishis, yogis, saints, philosophers—began exploring the unseen, hidden part of the story, driven by the need to understand why we humans suffer.

To “see the unseen,” they did not seek to build a special machine to measure the outside world; rather, they turned inwardly, making the assumption that we already had built-in sensibilities to see the unseen. What they discovered was something that had always existed—the realm of the subtle, and its personified form, our very own Subtle Body.

Seeing the Unseen

The Siri Singh Sahib (aka Yogi Bhajan), as a master in this long lineage of seers, had the direct experience of this realm, explaining that: “The subtle is more real than the material. It is where things become whole.” He taught us extensively about how to access this realm and make it part of our lives, and told us that it was vital to our own survival in the coming Age of Aquarius. The key to this, he said, was to understand that it is possible to access the unseen world of the subtle through developing our sensitivity to our Subtle Body, and that the link between our brain-body and our Subtle Body is consciousness itself.  Under his guidance, many of us started practicing meditation and yoga and attuning ourselves to consciousness through the power of Shabd Guru.  Some of us began to discover this realm of the subtle for ourselves.

Experiencing the power of the Subtle Body is not about seeking out-of-body experiences, seeing flashing lights and hearing the thunderous voice of God. It is, after all, a subtle experience. As so many seers of the unseen discovered in the past, the realm of the subtle body is experienced as a profound state of being that can manifest in everyday life as well as in deep meditation. It is a state in which our fractured and divided selves are made whole, where harmony and peace reign despite the turmoil in our surroundings. It is the source from which the conscious state of Sahej (intuitive ease) emerges and—in my experience—it is the only place where all pain, conflict and doubt can heal.

The Compass of the Soul

The Subtle Body is also the compass that points to our soul and to God. It is the bridge between our ego and our soul, between our earth and our heaven, and between me and God. Without this bridge, we can only hope to live and survive with our own resources in a cold universe. The Subtle Body is the vehicle through which we can manifest the resources of the Infinite and God that we need to carry ourselves  and to serve others.

The Subtle Body gives us the vitality, wisdom, and perspective that we need to act and lead with integrity when serving others, and its great power lies in expanding our sense of self beyond ego. Only then can we live as described by the Siri Singh Sahib when he encouraged us to to take the soul and the Subtle Body—which has to carry your soul—and “decorate” them with the flowers of consciousness. This is God and Guru’s Grace.

About the Author

Motivated to live a spiritual life, SS Gurudev Singh Khalsa began studying and practicing Kundalini Yoga in 1977 under the guidance of Yogi Bhajan. Since then his life has been focused on studying, practicing and teaching this vast technology that was given by his teacher. His workshops reflect a profound wisdom grounded in his practical experience as a yogi, lifelong student of science and psychology, Sikh Dharma Minister, business entrepreneur, coach and husband of 30 years. He teaches all over the world and is a Level I and Level II KRI  lead trainer.