Using the 5 Elements to Create a Fulfilling Life

The concept of the five elements comes from Ayurvedic philosophy, which sees the Universe as one being— namely, prana. Prana, which means ‘breath’, is the Universal energy of All-That-Is. Everything is made of prana— that is, everything is energy, and all of this energy is unified.

Ultimately, there is no difference between you, me, the chair, the dog, the paper clip, the Waterfall, Jupiter, the solar system, and the Universe. It is all one energy.

This one energy has five modes of expression. These modes or patterns of energy are understood as the five elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Ether.

Five elements

All of life can be understood in terms of these five elements. There are five elements within your body, and five elements within your psyche. There are five elements in any creative undertaking, and within any functioning business or enterprise. There are five elements within any relationship, and five elements in the relationship among all the parts of your life. All of your activities, and all the activities of Nature, can be understood in terms of five elements.

The five-element system can be used typologically, as one element usually predominate in temperaments, bodies, endeavors and relationships. Some people have a fiery temperament, while others have a distinctly Earthy temperament. Each person has an elemental body type which is characterized by certain patterns of metabolism, weight distribution and musculature. Many relationships have a signature element, a certain energy or focus that formulates the bond fusing two or more people together.

When we understand each element well, we have the ability to bring holistic balance to any body, entity, relationship or undertaking. We have an enhanced ability to discover the root cause of any issue by identifying which element is lacking and which is in excess. We have an ability to bring the holistic balance of the cosmos itself into our daily routine by making sure to integrate some of every element into every day, or even into every activity in every day!

Let’s explore the meaning of each element.

Ether

Ether is the ground or field from which the other elements arise. It is a unified field which creates subtle space for the movement of other elements. The basic qualities of this element are stillness, harmony and balance. While the other four elements are in dynamic relationship to one another, Ether is not a dynamic, moving element, but one which provides the space for the movement among the others.

Ether governs the qualities of mind which relate to tranquility, peace and stillness. This peaceful quality is also related to aesthetic sensitivity. Great natural beauty, such as beautiful flowers, a peaceful forest, a stunning sunset can help us to touch the place of introspection and peace. Beholding such wonders does not coming from doing but from being without needing to do, achieve or become.

Ether also creates the space for emotions to flow freely. We all know what it feels like to become so busy that we do not even know what we feel. The mind and body become so cluttered with words and deeds that there is no room for our emotions to flow. A contracted Ether field leads to either depression and lethargy or explosiveness.

In any creative process or undertaking, Ether corresponds to the stage before creation within which a desire or need is realized. Without Ether, there is no place for inspiration to flow into. We must be somewhere in a field of experience in order to discover that something is needed or wanted. Temperamentally, Ether corresponds to those people who are good at “holding space” and maintaining neutrality. Such people may have a therapeutic or uplifting effect even without realizing it, and may seem generally serene and tranquil.

Air

Air is identified with movement. Movement is necessary for any process. Fire without the movement of Air can’t start. Water without movement grows murky and toxic. Earth without movement becomes calcified and rigid. The expression of Air in the world is speed and motion, and it combines with other elements to create various qualities of movement.

Air governs the movement of our thought processes, our emotional life and our internal physiology. Congestion of Air in any of these processes produces rigidity, stagnation and buildup in that sphere of life. In the body, Air corresponds to the cleansing processes of the body such as the removal of waste by the kidneys, lungs, colon and skin. Imbalance of Air in the body may underlie rigid, stiff joints, or lack of movement in the digestive process.

On the level of mind, an ‘Airy’ person may “quick-witted” with fast reflexes and a fast sense of humor, while some one lacking in Air may be rigid and unable to flow with new ideas or approaches. On the level of our emotions, Air brings the refreshing wind of a change in perspective or the transformation of feeling. One without this movement becomes excessively attached…