Synopsis of the seven levels of Agni-Soma functioning

Agni  

Soma

Agni level 1-intrapersonal

Key task: Defining and differentiating a self

Unique self-identity

Self-esteem

Self-awareness

Individuality

Vision

Personal power

Energy

Vitality/general health

Intention

Will

Autonomy/Independence

Self-motivation

Being inspired

Virya –energy

Sakshi bhava- Observation without judgement/ Mindfulness practice

Atma gnana -Self-knowledge

Soma level 1-intrapersonal

Key task: Keeping the self in close emotional contact with itself and emotional expression of the self

Self-acceptance

Self-love

Flexibility

Ability to let go of one’s mistakes

Inner harmony and peace

Trust/Openness

Listening

Imagination

Friendliness

Humility, Contentment

Awareness of the five senses

Being in touch with feelings

Accepting one’s feelings

Sradhha- Faith

Meditative absorption according to one’s inclination ( yathaabhimata dhyaanaad va )

Brahma vihara: Maitri

Agni level 2- intra and interpersonal

Key task: refining the self through competitive interplay and extending its influence to the interpersonal realm

Resilience

Short-term orientation to goals

Impulse control/frustration tolerance

Ability to define and defend boundaries

Assertiveness

Ability at Confronting

Healthy aggression

Competence

Competitiveness

Alertness to threats

Ambition

Immediacy of action

Risk taking

Passion

Resilience

Initiative

Motivating others

Viveka- discernment

Atma vichara – self-reflection

Soma level 2-intra and interpersonal

Key task: Deepening the emotional contact with oneself and extending it to other important selves Acceptance of others

Ability to let go of others’ mistakes

Empathy/Compassion

Sense of belonging

Intimate relationships

Inner and outer harmony

Cooperation and mutual help

Graceful

Personal grooming/beautification

Quality of life

Ability to heal oneself through the use of creative arts- music, art, poetry

Partnering others

Expression of emotions

Being in touch with others’ feelings

Accepting others’ feelings

Connection to nature

Brahma vihara: Karuna

Agni level 3-intra and social

Key task: further refining and extending the influence of the self to the social level including the workplace and the community

  Taking responsibility

Self-accountability

Realistic/practical/pragmatic

Self-discipline/Personal limitation

Focus

Efficacy

Ability to give structure and form

Systematic approach

Order and stability

Perseverance

Thoughtful action

Sense of direction/Purposefulness

Foresight

Long-term orientation to goals

Abhyasa – Continuous practice

Tapas- intense discipline

Yoga of ‘Action’/Svadharma -Work as a spiritual practice

Vitaragavisayam – focusing on things that do not inspire attachment

Detachment to the conceptualized self/false self

Soma level 3- intra and social

Key task: Further refining the emotional contact with oneself and extending it to the social level including the workplace and the community

Personal values and Integrity

Letting go and Forgiveness

Optimism

Ability to enlarge and expand

Joyful enthusiasm

Agreeableness and Sociability

Networking

Celebration of life

Reinforcing social interdependence

Multi-cultural sensitivity

Broad outlook

Social conscience/Altruism

Intuition

Systems (big picture) awareness

Developing others

Meditating on luminous ( jyotismati ), sorrow-less ( visoka ) thoughts

Brahma vihara: Mudita

Agni-Soma ‘Biune’ level

  Key task: Balancing the opposites, complementing each level of functioning with its polar opposite, refining them to a spontaneous level of simultaneous functioning

Equanimity

Deep knowledge/Voracious learning

Communication skills

Active listening

Persuasiveness

Problem solving

Ability to process feelings/manage emotions

Balanced optimism

Flow

Playfulness

Sense of humour

Living in the moment

Brahma vihara: Upeksha