Lately, I have been taking time to really appreciate the elements of fire, water, earth, air and space as we head into summer
I have been spending more time sitting out in the sun, walking in the rain, standing barefoot in my garden, taking deep breaths and reflecting in my sacred meditation space.
According to Ayurveda the 5 elements are the essential keys to unlocking our greatest potential for balance, harmony and health. They help to sustain our physical, mental and emotional well-being.
When we connect deeply with nature and the elements, we connect deeply with ourselves because we are essentially made up of the 5 elements on both the physical and subtle body levels. This connection allows us to return to wholeness.
When we are connected and whole, our mind becomes calm and our heart becomes strong. The heart in yoga represents the juiciness and vitality of life. To strengthen it, we must nurture it. To nurture it, we can take simple actions to connect with these 5 great elements. Here are some examples.
- Earth – Find a place where you can sit, walk or stand barefoot in the grass, dirt or sand. As you mindfully walk, sit or stand, express a sense of strength, solidity, and stability. Focus on being in your core – centred, calm and composed.
- Water – Discover a place where you can walk, sit or float in the presence of water. It could be in a river, lake or just out in the rain. In this action express a sense of fluidity and relaxation, allowing for perhaps a smooth movement and flow.
- Fire – Take the opportunity to get under the sun. It could also be sitting next to a fire. As you relax in the presence of fire and heat, express a sense of brightness, clarity and illumination. Perhaps think of something that needs clarity allowing insights and wisdom to arise.
- Air – Go to a quiet place where you can sit and just breath more deeply. As you sit and breath in the fresh air, express a sense of moving energy to areas that feel stuck. As stagnancy releases notice the calm presence that emerges.
- Ether – Find a large open space where you can sit or lay down. It could be laying in a field looking up to the sky. As you sit or lay down express a sense of spaciousness and openness. As you become more open allow for different perceptions and ideas to arrive.
Namaste
Jai