Five Elements

 THE FIVE ELEMENTS

 Water

The basic property of water is that it is flowing, formless and colorless.  It can take any shape or form depending on the vessel holding it. It can assume any color from the surrounding which it reflects back. It gets lighter with rise in temperature like vaporizing on high heat. It solidifies with fall in temperature and capable of taking gross shape. It can create sound while flowing on rockbeds or in sea form its waves create loud rumbling sound.

So much to learn from Water element. If we can be as fluid as water with the formless attribute, adapting to any situation becomes natural. We no more get stuck in one image or impression which widens our ability to adjust and accommodate. Temperature is representative of pressure here. So with rise in challenging situations or working under pressure, water element teaches us to become lighter, allowing things to happen the way it goes, which is possible through letting go. Only becoming lighter we can rise. It means the more we allow our ego to evaporate with tough situations, we become invisible or nobody, the lighter we become with no title or tags and the higher we rise towards our goals. Similarly another property of water to solidify signifies here that we become gross with fall in temperature or challenges. In other way assuming a ice like form or  shape denotes our identity taking shape of bloated Ego that it becomes a weighty issue under comfortable situations or  in absence of challenges. Flow is the norm of being in motion or being in action. Water flows down always denoting able to bend as the situation comes and also ability to be humble and moving towards ground realities. Having no colour of its own, this quality of water assuming color of surrounding objects signifies our capability to reflect back the goodness we see around and making it worthwhile to display colorful traits in our personality. At the same time our individuality is above all these colours or personalities which can be changed or developed.  Water is symbol of purity  and simplicity. It is used in all kinds of worship. It washes us of all impurities, sins, double mindedness or any superficiality. Taking a bath in water can be so refreshing as drinking water quenching our thirst. Whether we follow the attributes of water or depend on water for our mere existence, it is fair enough to glorify water for its merit.

 

Fire

Fire element speaks of passion/ rage. Fire is essential as it provides heat and helps in transforming things through process of cooking or baking or melting raw iron or metal. The fire element in our stomach does the same transformation through digesting food we eat to produce energy. Fire exists in our gut to give us the gut feeling of setting into action or getting alarmed. Fire energy resides in us in the form of passion. The brighter the fire energy the stronger is the spark of passion! We need to keep the fire burning in us, or else if it is vanquished we will be good for nothing. No interest, no enthusiasm will be left to start any activity. Too much fire can be devastating also, so we need to be careful and watchful of the flare of fire within. The moment it gets out of control it is a signal of danger. Like a fire can finish a forest in no time, uncontrolled anger or rage can destroy a person. Fire always rises up. This quality signifies how fire element in us awakens us to rise. Passion keeps us alive. Fire is also considered auspicious for its purity. It removes negativity with its light and provides warmth of love and kindness. Going through tough situations are symbolic of burning experience with higher purpose of being transformed for upgraded quality. Fire burns down our weakness and purifies us getting rid of all negativeness. 

Earth

Earth element reminds us of being rooted. Our physical remains after death is going to be merged mostly with earth element in form of fossils or ashes. Earth is our mother planet providing for home along with all  essential things needed for our survival and prosperity. Earth teaches us to be patient, tolerant, compassionate, giving, forgiving and many more. Earth represents mother nature so it is beyond words to define motherhood what it means to us. All forgiving, unconditional love, care and nourishment and many more.....! If we can adopt any one quality of Mother earth, we can have larger than life personas like Legends. As humans we might have come to earth with many lifetimes. This is another characteristic of mother earth to be witnessing many civilizations. The history of earth dates back to eons of ages making us realize the ancient treasure we receive now in the form of mountains, minerals, rocks, rivers, forest is the result of so many metamorphic stages earth had gone through since its origin. Likewise, we need to remind us that all the treasures we are presently proud owner in our life is the result of various catastrophic / metamorphic stages we had gone through and hence the transformation.  

Space 

Can space be defined as nothingness, or is it something more? Space highlights the significance of hollow and empty. If we learn to be hollow and empty with meditation technique- letting go of what is not required and also emptying our mind with surrender, then it opens up avenues for newness, fresh ideas and energy. In a way it de clutters our clogged minds. A break in thought process is like fasting without words or thoughts. Just like fasting helps in detoxification of our entire body including digestive system. Likewise our mind rejuvenates after allowing space to happen removing all toxic thoughts in the process.  Allowing space to happen in our mind helps us discover another dimension of our existence. Hollow means nothing stays there. There is a constant flow of energy which is again a reminder of moving on, rather getting stuck or stuffed with concepts or dogmas. 

Wind

Wind is another important element to represent flow. It is never constant. It keeps moving and hence a great symbol of force in action. It carries life giving energy. It facilitates breathing providing oxygen/ carbon dioxide becoming one of the  primary source of life. Again Wind is formless, colorless, odorless. It assumes any form, color or odor as it comes in contact with other things. Like air can be filled in a balloon. Wind can be gentle as a breeze or harsh like a storm powerful enough to sink a ship. 

How do we relate to wind let us explore. The very first thing we connect to wind is its flowing property, it can never be constant at one place. So flow allows us to be smooth functioning, consistently moving ahead. Wind energy in us is enlivening. It refreshes our breath. Taking deep breath allows us to inhale positivity while releasing breath helps us to discard used breath. Breath can mean thoughts moving in and out.  New ideas are breathed in with every inhalation and toxic thoughts, stress are dispelled with every exhalation.