The three commonly known states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. These states are mostly made of atomic matter.

Two more states of matter are known in more recent times by science - plasma and quantum condensate (Bose-Einstein or Fermionic). These states are mostly made of subatomic matter.

1. In a plasma, all particles carry an electrical charge and particles are very far apart.

2. In a gas, each atom has its own energy and is able to move freely. Particles are well separated.

3. In a liquid, atoms slow down and their energy decreases. Particles are close together.

4. In a solid, particles are tightly packed, usually in a regular pattern.

5. In Bose-Einstein condensate, as the Bosons are cooled, they behave as waves that increase in size as the temperature decreases, until the size of the waves becomes larger than the average distance between two bosons. Then, all of the bosons are able to be at the very same energy in the same quantum state forming a single collective quantum wave.

On Earth right now, we find the highest Intelligence in the human species. This Intelligence is believed to have developed over very long periods of time.

Life on Earth, when it was in the process of solidification from the hot magma state, or even earlier in the gaseous or subatomic state, is unimaginable.

Is it possible that as the Earth evolves, so does the Intelligence inhabiting it?

Is it possible that Intelligence inhabits earth, and clothes itself in whatever form is available to it at that time?

Is it possible for Intelligence to be clothed in a subatomic, plasmic or gaseous body when the Earth was in the same state? For the Intelligence to be clothed in a fire body when the Earth was in Magma state? Or a water body when the Earth was covered with water?

Is it possible for the Intelligence to exist in such a state as to not require a particular body, but to be able to clothe itself in any type of body, in any state, as needed?

As the Earth cooled down, different states of matter came into being. The solid Earth consists of all these states - the gaseous, the liquid and the solid.

Similarly, as the Intelligence clothed itself in bodies made up of different types of matter to suit its surroundings, the human beings on solid Earth today have a body made up of all the different states - the gaseous, the liquid and the solid.

Human beings have several subtle bodies made of matter of much finer states than gas, such matter being at a very high vibrational frequency, and therefore in a state which cannot be detected by current scientific equipment.

There are seven main chakras in our subtle body lined up along the spinal column. Each of these chakras vibrates at a particular frequency, with the frequency of vibration increasing from the base chakra (Muladhara chakra) to the top chakra (Sahasrara chakra). Each chakra supplies energy to a subtle body made up of similar type of matter, thus serving as power houses for the seven subtle bodies that make up a human body.

The personality or the characteristics of a human being are largely determined by the frequency of the dominating vibration.

Example:

When Muladhara chakra (base chakra) vibration dominates, the human being is more closely connected to his physical surroundings and feels anger, fear, etc. to a greater extent. The lower-self or the personality dominates.

When Anahata chakra (heart chakra) vibration dominates, the human being is balanced in his approach to his physical surroundings and his spiritual outlook. He feels love to a greater extent. The soul expresses itself.

When Sahasrara chakra (crown chakra) vibration dominates, the human being is more spiritual in his approach and may feel disconnected to his physical surroundings. The higher-self or the spirit dominates.

The three commonly known states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.

• Solids are relatively rigid, having a definite volume and shape. The atoms and molecules are attached to each other.

• Liquids have a definite volume but are able to change shape by flowing. The atoms and molecules are loosely bonded.

• Gases have no definite shape or volume. The atoms and molecules move freely and spread apart from one another.

Let us suppose that:

• The term 'solid' is symbolical for the characteristic of being 'relatively rigid'.

• The term 'liquid' is symbolical for the characteristic of being 'relatively free to move'.

• The term 'gas' is symbolical for the characteristic of being 'able to move freely'.

If there are some unknown states of matter, these terms can be applied to those states to get an idea of their characteristics.

Thus even though the matter which makes up a human being belongs to different 'states' or 'planes', like solid, liquid, gas, etc., all are parts of one whole which make up the whole man.

Every physical atom is floating in astral matter which surrounds it and fills every interstice in this physical matter.

The mental matter in its turn interpenetrates the astral matter in precisely the same manner.

The planes do not lie separate from each other or one above another, but rather they fill the same space and interpenetrate one another.

Man is composed of seven bodies or principles. So if we consider that man is consciousness, then that consciousness is covered in layers.

1. The physical body: This is the densest layer. It is the body which is made up of bones, muscles, fat, blood, nerves, etc.

It is also called the sthula sharir.

2. The ether body: It is a layer made up of finer particles. Think about how thin air is as compared to a stone. The etheric material is much thinner than air and covers the entire physical body.

To avoid confusion, the reference to ether here is different from what science calls ether. Just think of matter, but much finer than air which covers the physical body.

It acts like a template, like a mould for the physical body. It gives a shape to the physical body.

It is also called the linga sharir.

3. The astral body: This is made up of matter which is even finer than ether. This is where the sensations reside. All our feelings of love, hate, anger; these feelings reside in this astral body.

4. The lower mental body: The mental body is divided into two parts, the lower mental or lower manas is designated the word ego with lowercase 'e'. This is where our thoughts reside.

Thoughts are separate from feelings. These are ideas generated through the brain and reside in the lower mental body.

For most of us, our thoughts and feelings are enmeshed. We generally do not distinguish between thoughts and feelings.

The astral body and the lower mental body are together called the sukshma sharir.

5. The higher mental body: This is designated the word ego with capital 'E'. This is where the consciousness aspect resides. This is the causal body as distinct from the mental body or the lower manas.

It is also called the karana sharir.

6. The buddhi: This is the wisdom body and is the plane of 'Consciousness'.

7. The atma: This is the spirit.

Each layer is made up of material that gets thinner and thinner. Just as the physical body is the densest and the ether body is much finer than air, the astral body is still even more rare or finer than ether and so on.

Each individual's development is different from another's, and therefore the constitution of each man is different.

Have you heard about the soul and wondered, 'Where is this soul?' 'Why is it that we cannot see it?' 'How do we know that the soul even exists?'

Throughout history, man has learnt through observation. The ancients made an observation of man when he is 'living' and when he is 'dead' and made some conclusions. Let's illustrate this using a few examples.

The seven bodies of man are:

• The physical and ether bodies which allow physical activity

• The astral body which imparts sensitivity

• The mental body which endows intellectual capacity

• The Causal body which imparts individuality

• The Buddhi which imparts discriminative capacity and therefore the ability to love unconditionally

• Atma which imparts capacity for Intelligent Will

Each of the higher bodies has greater power to control the lower bodies.

A person with a strong Will (Atma) is able to learn to love unconditionally.

A person who can love unconditionally (Buddhi) is able to display a strong individuality.

A strong individual (Causal body) is able to develop a well rounded intellectuality.

A well-rounded intellectual (Mental body) is able to learn to control his feelings.

Such a human will use his actions (Astral, Ether and Physical body) for the well-being of himself and humanity.

An honest assessment of the self is essential for true self empowerment.