Connecting to the Five Elements

Five Elements or the panch mahabhutas, namely Earth (prithvi), water(jal), fire, air and ether, are what makes this entire world. Everything on this planet including ourselves is made of these five elements.

These five elements are present in us humans in varying proportions. An imbalance in these leads to emotional, as well as physical problems. Understanding these and keeping them in balance is a very simple and effective way to bring more balance, health and vitality in our life.

Earth element is related to stability and also corresponds to our root chakra. It keeps us grounded and calm and also keeps a check on our ego. Walking barefoot on earth or generally within your home is a great way to connect to the earth element. Working with soil like pottery or gardening can also be some very good ways to connect to earth element.

Water Element makes us adaptable and helps us deal with changes in day to day life with ease. Water element also infuses us with creativity. Water element is related to our sacral chakra. One may connect to water by working with water. Simplest way to connect to water is when we drink water we do it mindfully and not just gulp it down. Watering the plants can also be a great way to connect to water. One may also place a water bowl somewhere around the house to balance the water element.

Fire element gives us courage and confidence. A balanced fire element means a good metabolism. Imbalance of fire element shows up as anger. Fire element is also responsible for leading a passionate life. Solar plexus is the seat of agni. A balanced fire element in turn means a good digestive system. To balance the fire element one needs to connect to the sun. Go out and soak the sun, literally. Feel the fire the heat of the sun within and around you. Open the windows to let in the sun in the morning. Burn candles at night and keep the lighting warm.

Air Element gives us the power to communicate and express ourselves. Balanced air element helps one act from a place of love and compassion. Heart and throat chakra are connected to the air element. Air is the most basic need for all of us. We may live a few days without food and water, but we can hardly survive without air. To balance the air element one can do pranayama or breath work. Waking up early and taking a walk in nature and soaking the fresh morning air will also bring you the calm, clear your mind and balance your air element.

Space is the container for all other elements. It is what connects us to the supreme consciousness. The silence within which leads us to awakening. In a way if space is not there nothing else can exist. Space element is connected to the third eye and the crown chakra.

In a wonderful nature healing course that I did a few years ago, I learnt that how beautifully a tree can help us connect to all these five elements. The roots of the tree go deep into the earth, connecting us to mother earth. Thus balancing our earth element. Water runs in the trunk, the branches and the leaves of the tree, connecting us to the water element. Anything that grows, does so due to the presence of fire element, you can feel this agni in the tree as well. Trees give us air and occupy space so connect us to air as well as space element.

So a very simple way to connect to all the five elements is to connect to a tree. You could just sit and watch the trees around you, radiating a feeling of connection. Or you could literally go and hug them. Hugging a tree is a very theraupeic healing experience. It may feel awkward in the beginning… But if you truly feel the life in it and embrace all that it gives you, it can heal you and it can calm you.

Do let me know if any of these were helpful to you, or any other ways that you use to connect to the five elements.

I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z and this post corresponds to letter C.