We are composed of five tattwas, and the spirit tattwa is inherent within us in a subtle form. However, we are not aware of the spirit tattwa. We are aware of the five sensorial tattwas which can be experienced, but not of the transcendental or spirit tattwa. Yet, we say there is atma, spirit, in everyone. We cannot recognize that spirit as the special sixth tattwa because it is not composed of earth, water, fire, air or ether. The spirit is the presence of life; it is the presence of knowledge. It is a part of paramatma, the supreme spirit.
The Shanti Mantra of the Ishavasya Upanishad states: Om poornamadah poornamidam poornaat poornamudachyate; Poornasya poornamaadaaya poornameva avashishyate. That is full and this is full. Remove a part from the full, what you have removed is full, and what is left behind is full.
In mathematical language zero plus zero equals zero, zero minus zero equals zero, zero divided by zero equals zero, and zero multiplied by zero equals zero. The complete ness, the fullness of life is God, and that is full, it is complete. The part which is emanating from God, in the form of spirit, inherent in each being, is also full. That spirit or atma in the real sense is the sixth element – called the guru tattwa. The atma tattwa, the spirit element is also called the guru tattwa. Why?
God is formless, infinite and ungraspable. Something which is infinite cannot be made finite. Something which is ungraspable cannot be grasped by the senses or the mind. However, its shakti, its power, has a role to play. What role or function does the power of God play in our life? Only one: of removing the darkness of life.
As we remove layers and layers of darkness, of avidya, ignorance, ahamkara and asmita, the ‘I’ identities, the ‘I’ associations, the light of the spirit shines brighter and brighter. As the covering of ignorance and inner darkness is removed and the light shines, there is growth and development at every level. At the mental and emotional levels there is greater maturity, at the physical level there is greater physical balance, at the spiritual level there is greater inner awakening. Everything grows together. Everything moves and progresses together.
From the book “Dharma of a Disciple, Yogadrishti Series”, pg.3-4, Sw. Niranjanananda Saraswati