Water

The element water is the fourth of five great elements, pancha mahabhutus.
  Water evolves from ether, air and fire, containing each of them within it.

Ether provides water the space to exist within. Air gives water the ability to flow and move. The relationship between fire and water is more esoteric. Air provides the friction that generates the heat of fire. Fire's movement is fluidic and flowing. As each element evolves from one element to the next, nature becomes denser. As fire becomes denser, it cools and takes up more form. This form is water.

  The water element is associated with the second chakra, wherein emotions reside. The tongue is the sense organ of water. Without moisture, the tongue cannot taste foods. Without our emotions, we cannot taste our lives. The second chakra is also where the waters of sexuality flow and one's inner claire-sentience or radar. The uncontained extra-cellular fluid that moves in unpredictable waves throughout the entire body, reflects the ocean world in which primitive life began.


The urethra is the organ of action associated with the water element. Through the male urethra, highly potent reproductive fluid is expelled. Through both the male and female urethras exess water is released through urine. Urine has been used theraputically, both internally and externally, for centuries. Within urine, salts, hormones and vitamins are efficiently re-absorbed into the body aiding in purification, healing and toning.

Water is the protector of the body. It provides the body with its most basic nourishment. The water element soothes all pain and inflammation in the body.


excerpts taken from:
Author : Dr. Marc Halpern
Light on Ayurveda Journal

Fire

The element fire, is the third of the five (pancha) great (maha) elements (bhutus).

Evolved through ether and air, it contains the essence of both these elements. Ether provides fire the space to exist within and air gives fire the capacity to burn.

It is because of air that fire will never be still.

Providing heat and light fire is the generator of energy in the body and is associated with the 3rd chakra, manipura.

Fire is the process of liberating energy from its source.

 Fire is connected to the visual sense, providing light for perception. The strength and intensity of one's vision is the function of fire.

"I see!"

 The feet are the organs of action associated with fire. We can react quickly through the feet to dangerous fire or walk towards friendly fire. The choice of direction and the insensity of action are both functions of the fire element.

 Care must be taken, if a person become too focused, intense and self-expanded. The antidote being the element earth as a container for the fire and not the source of fuel.


With earth as its container, patience and reliability operate to ensure that pure inspiration does not eventually burn the souce of its own vision.


Excerpts from:
Published: Light on Ayurvedai Journal
Author: Dr. Marc Halpern

Air

                                                                             
The element air, is second of the five elements (pancha mahabuthus). It comes second because it evolves from ether, space. As the potential possibilities become active within space, the result is air.

The sense of touch and air are in separable. Air is associated with the 4th chakra, Anahata.

The skin is considered the associated sense organ of the element air as the hands are considered the organ of action, reaching out to touch and create the world around us.


"I was so touched!"

Astrologically, air is the element of commincation. We communicate far more through our hearts, what we radiate through our being and our gestures, than we do through words.  

Heathly air is maintained through steady routines.


Emotionally, surrender leads to the highest manifestation of air or motion, and this requires faith. Faith in both self and the divine.




Excerpts taken from:
Author: Dr. Marc Halpern

Published: Light on Ayurveda Journal

The Elements

Ether. Space. It is the space filled by the other elements: Air, Fire Water, Earth.


I am someone who really needs her space.


We create healthy ether or vata dosha by filling the emptiness in our lives. Our lives become full, not by being busy, but by being nourished physically and emotionally. Proper nourishment and regular routines act as a container for ether and the vata dosha.

Ether is said to be the vibration of primordial sound, or unmanifested sound. Within the chakra system, ether is associated with the 5th chakra, Vishuddha. Sound and ether are inseparable. Because of their intimate relationship, the ear is considered the associated sense organ and voice (mouth) its organ of action.

Ether has no boundaries nor does music. Music is a language that connects us all.



Excerpts taken from:

Author: Dr. Marc Halpern
Published: Light on Ayurveda Journal

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Its Christmas 2011. Here in the north the Sun dipps down to its lowest, darkest point. This eason is all about the Sun. Whether its celebrated as the Son of  God or the Sun God, here we sit in the liminal phase before the New Year and a new solar cycle.

The Sun as the symbol of Spirit, the Circle the symbol of Wholeness and Ouroboric beginnings. 

The circle can be divided evenly over and over again. Each division modelling a different branch of wholeness.

12 divides the circle evenly. There are 12 poses in our Surya Namaskar and 12 signs running through our Zodiac

9 divides the circle evenly. 40 times! Many of us have experienced or witnessed the power of 40 as a cycle of transformation, as in the number of weeks a  human baby grows inside his/her mother's womb to full-term.

12 x 9 = 108.

Many Eastern religions have recognized 108 as having sacred energy. 108 Sun Salutations is often used to honor change, as in a change of seasons, or at a time of tragedy to bring peace, respect and understanding.

108 divides the circle 3.333333333333 ad infinitum. Its a model of an open system. It has no boundaries.

She would not have seen it, had she not believed it.

Ahimsa or Non-Violence.

The first of eight limbs in Patanjali's Raja Yoga are the Yamas. Yamas are considered to be kinds of restraints or social conduct.

The first and most important yama is Ahimsa, or non-violence. Why? Because all of what we are doing on the path is leading towards Peace.

Deep Inner, Ever-Lasting Peace is where we are headed and so it is counter intuitive to make pain, choose harm.

The obvious take on this code is to not physically harm one's self or others. While meditating I saw how deep this Yama could go and its subtlty. Does this mean I have to use nicey-nicey language at all times? No more cussing when a screwball situation slaps me in the face?- (See that last sentence could  be classified as violence!) No, it means not speaking in ways that could hurt others, as in an attack or petty gossip.

Does this mean restraining from violent thoughts or thoughts that could possibly harm others? - Yes it does. We have no private thoughts. We are always exposed for those who care to see. And when we hurt others, we ultimately hurt ourselves and destroy our Peace.

Does this mean stepping aside when we are attempting to modify another's process, in the motivation of doing what is best for them? Here is the grey area, especially for care takers of those less able to speak or act for themselves. How deeply we must appreciate and connect with the work we are doing to do it well.

Now what of the environment? How we care for our planet is obviously in need. Many of us are re-learning our approach to life on this earth. Yet what of the energetic environment? How can we become more responsible and aware of the clouds we carry behind us that could be possibly blocking the Sun for others? Often times what is so obvious to those around us is obscured from ourselves.

                      and so to have more Self-awareness
                      with less self-conciousness and more self-acceptance
                      because Peace has no attachments

Social Conduct , Restraint- No Harm, Ahimsa.
What follows are Protection and Respect- the gifts of Saturn.