Tattvas, the Elements and Nature's Healing

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Tattvas, the Elements and Nature's Healing

By Shambhavi Lorain Chopra

 

From the book, Yogini, Unfolding the Goddess Within by Shambhavi

Lorain Chopra (Wisdom Tree Books, www.wisdomtreeindia.com). Author's

website: www.shambhavi-yogini.com

 

Om Shri Dhanvantaraye Namaha!

Salutations to the celestial healer!

 

The entire world is made up of the five great Tattvas or elements of

Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. A sixth factor is Mahat Tattva or

cosmic intelligence, though less talked about, changes the inner

dynamics of these elements through God Consciousness, bringing about

healing at an inner core. Everything in the manifest universe,

including we human beings, is a configuration of these five Elements.

 

The process of Tantra requires the purification of the five elements

in order to help the Kundalini Shakti ascend. The Kundalini can rise

only when the elements in our body are purified of their heavier

accretions. All sadhana, meditation and Yoga consists of different

processes to purify these elements, aiding their flow and

transformation.

 

Since the human body consists of a certain combination of these

elements, they can be balanced in Ayurvedic medicine in order to

restore our health. Akash, ether or space is the subtlest of the

elements. It resembles the quantum mechanical concept of the field

from which all matter is created and into which all matter resolves.

Akash is the source of all the other elements, and interacts with

them through its vibrations. Sound is the quality of ether,

representing an entire spectrum of vibration: audible sound, cosmic

radiation, X-rays, gamma rays, ultraviolet and visible light. Ether

gives one the space in which to manifest and develop.

 

Fasting creates an inner space, a vacancy for the body to recuperate

and repair, rest and heal itself. Ayurveda has classified certain

vaigs, movements or nature calls including sleep, sneezing, coughing,

tears and perspiration to help us work with this space, emphasizing

never interfering with our natural impulses. Space has various forms

of manifestation, not just in the physical universe, but also the

space of the mind moving to higher levels, and the supreme space of

pure consciousness beyond every relative manifestation.

 

All space has its own energy. Space is the matrix of Shakti. The

Goddess Bhuvaneshvari, the infinite Mother in her manifestation as

the cosmic womb, is also the element of space, dwelling in the

microcosmic space within the heart.

 

Space creates healing. Through accepting the failures of my emotional

experiences, and the emptiness they created, I came to understand the

true power of love. Love creates a supporting space, giving the loved

one a freedom reaching far beyond the shackles of selfish desire.

This beautiful space is one that nurtures and manifests as divine

love.

 

The Agni or fire element in Tantra is the origin and end of all

phenomena. The sacred fire has influenced spiritual rituals and

traditions since the most ancient times. Fire is both worldly and

transcendental. The Tantric texts explain the existence of both

an `inner' fire and an `outer' fire. The inner fire is the vital

principle focused at the navel center, which when stimulated by deep

breathing blazes upward in the body consuming the impurities of both

mind and body.

 

In Ayurveda, the fire in the navel is called Jatharagni, the gastric

fire that helps digest food and allows for the assimilation of life

sustaining nutrients. Fire gives one clarity and sharpness of

perception. One of the simplest ways to enhance the fire element in

the body is to sunbathe for fifteen to thirty minutes a day; but only

in the rays of the early morning rising Sun or late afternoon setting

Sun, when the sunrays fall on the body at an angle, and never

vertically.

 

A half hour brisk daily walk has a salutary effect on the body. After

a meal one should also take a leisurely stroll. Never bathe after a

meal; it literally is like pouring water over a fire.

 

As an early morning ritual, after offering water to the Sun God, I

would gently drink three glasses of water, concentrating on the flow

moving through my being.

 

Jal tattva, the water element nourishes and sustains the spirit as

well as the physical body. We must allow its flow into the psyche.

The flow of water carries with it the Shakti energies and power of

life. Ganga is pure Shakti; her energies can heal one's being and

psyche. Shakti can not only be found in the freedom of space but also

in the free flow of water. Water nourishes the rasa in our being,

rejuvenating our inner essence as well as creating an outer glow.

 

Rainwater is purifying and therapeutic in its effect. Bathing in

rainwater washes away the body's negativities, bringing about a

sensual flow through the being. In our society, we must encourage

natural systems of rainwater harvesting, more so in rural areas, to

gain all of its benefits.

 

The worship of the air element can be done through the control of

Prana, the life force as in the practice of Pranayama. One should do

this with a certain amount of caution. Many instructors today

misguide the layman. One needs to be physically and mentally fit to

safely practice pranayama in today's world.

 

Our nervous system should be not be overly stressed by the practice.

Because we live in a heavily polluted environment, where the water

and air is unclean, and noise, radiation, and stress surround us, our

nervous system is weakened considerably. Pranayama done wrongly or

too forcefully can disturb us further. Pranayama must be deeply

understood by the teacher and by the student, considering the right

environmental influences for it to really work.

 

Without anubhava, personal experience, one will sink into a quagmire

of preachings and teachings. Accept guidance as prasada from the

Lord, through the teacher as His instrument and experience the

practice for yourself with a clear understanding. Realize that I am

responsible for my own growth and must experience every reality for

myself in order to reach the divine consciousness.