Energetic expression of the changes that occur throughout the universe.
People can have imbalances in the various elements of their bodies effecting their 6senses : hearing, taste, smell, sight, touch, and the spirit.
As so the eastern philosophy says: The elements or changes are sensorial ( relating to sensations) typologies and are NOT metaphysically Materialistic! They are not meant to give an account of matter as constitution of external, mind-independent reality. Its taught that the 4 elements (Energetic expressions) are concept of suffering and that Form is in fact made up of much smaller particles, which are constantly changing!
(Pali tradition) 4 primary material elements are the sensory qualities of content.
SOLIDITY or inertia- die Masse (Earth)
TEMPERATURE heat or calorific- waerme erzeugend (Fire)
MOBILITY or distension, motion (Air)
FLUIDITY or cohesion- zusammenhalt (Water)
1. The energy of SOLIDITY Kapha exists in this body as hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews(muscles), bone, organs, intestinal material.
When out of balance the earth element could lead to stagnation as earth has a tendency to not move. In the physical body it could manifest as such things as constipation etc
Paramita* (to correct imbalances of this element) by Giving. The Environmental influence is Dampness. Season late summer. Associated Chakras is the Root.
(ON A UNIVERSAL SCALE: The earth element represents the principle of extension.
The earth energetic expression has the characteristic of hardness or softness, the function of acting as a foundation "(for the other primary elements and derived matter) and manifestation as receiving. Its proximate cause is the other three great essentials. Both hardness and softness are modes in which the earth element is experienced by the sense of touch.)
2. FLUIDITY Kapha exists in this body as bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, nasal mucus, urine.
Organs Kidneys and Bladder for eg. are associated with our basic instinct of fight or flight and the emotion of fear. People with issues around their water element may have blue/ black colour on their faces, particularly under the eyes. The water element rules emotions such as tranquillity and melancholy. When in balance the water element can produce a calmness, and loving energy such as a mother gives to her children. When there is too much water in the body we will usually see imbalances in the lower body as water tends to sink so we will see oedema, or swelling of the ankles or bloating. We may also see a person being too overweight, or lacking in drive and living in the past. Not enough water in the body can lead to dryness both physically and emotionally. Someone with a dry or cutting intellect and not much love or care for others could be seen as lacking the water element. Again dryness in the body would cause joint problems and dry skin and a lack of fluids in the body such as low amounts of semen, or lack of menstruation etc...
Paramita* Keep moral precepts eg. (by Ovarian Cysts) like avoiding killing, lying, stealing, sexual misuse and intoxicants.
The Environment influencev is cold. Season winter.
Associated Chakras is the Sacral.
ON A UNIVERSAL SCALE: The water element or fluidity, is the material factor that makes different particles of matter cohere (zusammenhaengend), thereby preventing them from being scattered about. Its characteristic is trickling (troepfend) or oozing (schlammig) , its function is to intensify the coexisting material states, and it is manifested as the holding together or cohesion of material phenomena. Its proximate cause is the other three great essentials.
3. TEMPERATURE - Pitta exists in this body as mechanism that produces physical warmth, ageing, digestion (sml intestine) etc.
People with imbalance have the tendency to open their hearts to freely to strangers equally have a speech like a stammer or lisp. In Humans our Fire Element is responsible on how we see ourselfs and how we relate to others and deal with relationships.
Too much fire element can manifest as a red face, high blood pressure, heat rashes, a bad temper, frustration, red spots on the face etc.
Too little fire in the body can manifest as paleness in the face, cold conditions such as mucus, and poor digestion. When the digestion is weak it is hard to digest food properly as so toxins, build up from the improperly digested food.
Paramita* Concentration and Wisdom
The Environment influence is Heat. Season summer.Associated Chakras is the Nabel.
ON A UNIVERSAL SCALE: The fire element has the characteristic of heat, its function is the mature or ripen other material phenomena, and it is manifested as a continuous supply of softness. Both heat and cold are modes in which the fire element is experienced.
4. MOBILITY- Vata exists in this body in the pulmonary system: breathing motion, intestinal system: wind in the belly, bowls.
Too much air in the body will produce nervous conditions such as anxiety and a mind that never is still. It can also produce digestive problems and arthritic joint problems, as well as dry conditions such as dry skin etc... Too little of the air element may produce dullness in the mind and stagnation.
Paramita* Patience The Environment influences is Wind. Season is Spring.Associated Chakras is the Heart.
ON A UNIVERSAL SCALE: The air element is the principle of motion and pressure. Its characteristic is distension, its function is to cause motion in the other material phenomena, and it is manifested as conveyance to other places. Its proximate cause is the other three great essentials. It is experienced as tangible (beruehrbar, tinglbar) pressure.
Taken together, the four great essentials are founded upon the earth, held together by the water elements, maintained by the fire element, and distended (ausgedehnt, ausgestreckt) by the air element.
5. SPACE element / Ether (ākāsa-dhātu) Internal space elements includes bodily orifices such as the ears, nostrils mouth, anus, etc.
Paramita* Vitality, EnergyThe Environment influences is Dryness. Season is Autumn. Associated Chakras is the Throat.
6. CONSCIOUSNESS are all 5together. The Circulation of SOLIDITY (Earth) TEMPERATURE (Fire) and MOBILITY (Air) FLUIDITY (Water) and SPACE (ether) The arising and passing of three feelings (pleasure, discomfort and neither-pleasure-nor-discomfort) are dependent upon this circulation.
The Pali's disciples that everything that exists at the material level is composed of "Kalapas" material units, very much smaller than atoms, which die out immediately after they come into being. So we shall only use them as a diagnostic tool and don't get to hooked up on the element theory :)