The Building Blocks of the Universe

Introducing the Five (5) Element Theory - it's not quite Jenga

Last week we talked about the Macrocosm and Microcosm, a key perspective of interconnectedness found in the Vedic Sciences.

After a week of deep pondering, I suspect some folks are wondering about the how of this interconnectedness. How is it that all these macro and micros are interconnected?

From the Vedic perspective, everything in the world of Form - in Nature - is made up of the same fundamental components known as the five (5) elements.

In the Vedic sciences, the five elements are:

1. Space

2. Air

3. Fire

4. Water

5. Earth

Each of these elements has a key feature (technically many features, however for now we’ll focus on the primary one):

1. Space is a container for the other elements

2. Air initiates and represents all movement

3. Fire catalyzes transformation

4. Water enables cohesion

5. Earth provides stability

Other traditions may have different elements with different features or concepts. These are ours. I like clear lines and boundaries. It’s kinder for the mind :)

The core idea is that everything in the world of form is made up of different combinations of the five elements - are everywhere and in everything (yes, this is a quote from the Count of Monto Cristo with Jim Cavizel and Guy Pearce - it’s such a good movie!). The difference in the combination of elements is what makes the each thing (which include organisms, plants, organic and inorganic matter - everything) different from one another. Here are some examples:

• Rocks and soil have more earth element

• Oceans and tea have more water element

• The Sun and acids have more fire element

• Wind and bubbles have more air element

• The vastness of the sky has more space element

Can it really be that simple, that everything in the universe is made up of five things?

What if we took the five elements

and we expanded on it just a bit…

Yes, the periodic table of elements taught in science class is an expansion of the five element theory

• Earth element represents SOLIDS

• Water element represents LIQUIDS

• Fire element represents the TRANSFORMATION of elements from one form to another

• Air element represents GASES

• And it’s all existing in the container that is SPACE

I am amazed that way before tools like microscopes, fMRIs, and particle accelerators the ancients had a grasp on the building blocks of the universe. How cool is that?

If everything is made up of the same stuff, this explains the interconnectedness of the micro and the macro.

So this week, as you move about your life, notice the five elements in your world and experience. Can you see and/or feel the five elements in your own body? In your mind? In the world around you? Please share your comments below :)

PS> Another great option to explore Āyurveda is this great three (3) month program with my bestie Veronica