Part 2
Prana makes up the pranic sheath that connects the body to the mind. Thus, the body mind relationship comes from prana, not from the kundalini. Likewise, the power to move does not come from the kundalini. Prana is described as flowing like a current through a series of subtle pathways (nadis) that connect the body and mind and help to coordinate body and mind functioning. On the more subtle third level of the sheaths prana is called mind, (manas). So the energy behind the thought process is also not due to the kundalini. Prana on the fourth level is the buddhi, or higher intellect as translated in English. There is, however, a difference between these two words. Buddhi is that faculty through which you gain internal and external knowledge; intellect is only related to knowing the facts with the help of the senses. The limitation of intellect is that intellect cannot go beyond the objective world. Neither supernatural experiences nor the experience of samadhi are within the realm of the intellect. Though there is something beyond intellect, intellect has its own power. When you lead your intellect with the help of facts, intellect decides, judges and discriminates. However, if you have not trained your intellect, then you cannot develop your awareness. On the fifth level prana is bliss (ananda).
If you really want to understand the sheaths properly, you have to understand their relationships and how they interact. Consciousness is often compared to a light, and the different sheaths are like lampshades that cover it. Due to the shades the light will appear to be very dim and the room will remain dark. These shades represent the limitations of the mind. You will have to remove the shades one by one until finally you will find the real light. These shades are made of different material, color and qualities. Each shade reflects light to a certain degree and modifies it according to its properties. The outermost shade is the densest one, so only a dim light can come through. As you remove each of them, the light becomes brighter. Because of the way these bodies conceal the light of consciousness, they are termed as sheaths or coverings. The moment you have destroyed all the superimpositions and have removed all the coverings of the lamp, the light will be there. Similarly, if you really want to know who you are, you have to remove all the masks, one after the other.
The sheaths do not function independently; they have a meaningful relationship because they are connected and coordinated. These connections are maintained by the seven main chakras. Without the kundalini shakti, it would not be possible for all the sheaths to remain connected.
As electrical energy is more subtle than mechanical energy, pranic energy is more subtle than electrical energy. You can continue to live even with very little prana. Even though you might appear to be physically and legally dead, you may still be alive.
. . . to be continued