The Earth Element
“Earth is the foundation of our ordinary life. Most of the qualities of earth as an element can be understood intuitively. It is heavy, dense, stable, solid. Earth possesses the force of gravity. When well combined with other elements (heat, moisture, air), it can be rich and fertile. But with a lack of heat it can be cold and good for nothing; with a lack of moisture, dry and hard; and with a lack of air, musty and lifeless. If earth within us is well balanced, we feel stability, solidity, and confidence within ourselves. We are neither too slow nor too mobile; our sensations are deep; we are not easily thrown off balance, and we are not distracted from what is important to us. If we know something, we do not forget it; our faith is distinguished by constancy; we do not abandon our intentions because of any impulses and steadily apply effort; we are responsible and know how to stand our ground. The highest dimension of this quality is stable abiding in pure vision.”
The highest dimension of the earth element is stable abiding in presence, when even the heaviest energies are unable to knock one off balance. It is believed that if, in shat-chakra yoga, one practices concentration on the earth element, then vital energy increases, the body’s resilience grows stronger, and a person, for example, stops falling ill. If a yogin can unite presence with the muladhara chakra, then he can withstand various coarse energies or obstacles, and his contemplation is very stable. Often a yogin may abide in awareness, but when he finds himself in some harsh situation, stronger emotions or thoughts knock down his awareness. But one who has mastered presence at the level of the earth element is indestructible and like a mountain.
Imbalance of the Earth Element
“If there is too much earth, we are slow to get moving, dull, lazy, and sluggish. This is an excessively inert state that lacks movement. Thinking in this state is slowed, devoid of imagery and creative abilities. An excess of earth can lead to depression, lack of will, and an inability to progress both in professional activity and in relationships or spiritual practice. In addition, it becomes difficult to make any changes. Difficulties seem insoluble to us; we like to sleep; when trying to meditate, we nod off; and upon waking, we find it difficult to recall our dreams even partially. An excess of earth can deprive us of sensitivity and inspiration. Because of an excess of earth, we may either remain silent all the time or talk nonstop. If a person is constantly late or, on the contrary, overly punctual, this is also a manifestation of the earth element. Usually, ignorance is considered the negative aspect of earth. If, however, we lack earth, then it is as if we have no anchor: we are flighty, frivolous, agitated, unable to complete what we have begun; we lack support and do not feel satisfaction; we have no refuge anywhere; we are always searching for something that will give us stability and protection.”
Usually, a person’s elements exist in some proportion, and practice should harmonize them. But while an inexperienced person is practicing, various kinds of relationships with the elements may arise. For example, a laywoman from Moscow, a student named Galina, attends qigong classes in Moscow. The qigong teacher approached her, touched her head with his hand, and made some kind of pass. After that, as she wrote, she felt dizzy for two days. This means that there is an imbalance of wind and weak grounding. I recommended that she practice concentration on the muladhara chakra, walking with rooting, and meditation on the elements of water and earth. However, if you have a strong earth element, then no matter who touches your head, your head will never spin. But if our connection with the earth element is weak, then strong thoughts or meditation with tension can make the body windy. Because of this, Zen sickness (sangye) arises: one who strains in meditation feels that his head is full while the body is sluggish. If the earth element is balanced, Zen sickness never arises; there is always strength in the body; you never lose connection with support, with the roots; the feet are always connected with the earth; you always have coarse shakti.
Practice of Working with the Earth Element
“If we experience a lack of earth, there are various ways to attain stability. Perceiving ourselves as energetic beings, we try to find support in our sensations. If, however, we identify ourselves with pure awareness, then we will find support in the nature of Mind. The coarse mind feels stability in tangible earth. A subtler awareness, free from the ‘I,’ finds support in space.
From the point of view of meditation practice, balanced earth is a great and necessary support. Even in such profound practices as the practices of emptiness in the sutra, it is recommended to perform concentration that develops the qualities of earth and the stability of the mind. The mind must be stable in order to progress on the path of meditation, and this stability is developed by strengthening the earth element. The teaching says that people in whom fire and air predominate quickly gain spiritual experiences, but they also quickly lose them. Those in whom earth and water predominate may attain experiences more slowly, but when they succeed, they are able to preserve and develop them and, ultimately, progress more quickly. If you lack stability in meditation practice, then, while developing concentration, strengthen the qualities of earth, practice stability of mind and body, eat more substantial food and avoid everything that is stimulating, and do physical exercises.
Usually we know what to do to overcome difficulties in practice, but we do not do it. Making ourselves do what is best is one way of strengthening the earth element. When stability of the mind is developed through concentration, its excessive movement slows down and ceases, experience becomes clear and rests in silence, free from the confusion of thoughts. Colors and lights become more distinct. If we have already received an introduction to the nature of Mind, it is now easier for us to abide in the natural state and to unite practice with all actions. It becomes easier to maintain mindfulness, and we can sustain it throughout the day, and then at night as well. When the mind is stable, insight arises naturally, and the awakening of Mind occurs. This is not concentration, but a higher level of practice attained through the stability of Mind. If there is too much earth, the approach is quite different. Eat lighter food and try to avoid overwork; practice flexibility of thinking. To acquire flexibility, creativity, and liveliness of mind, develop the qualities of the air and fire elements.”
If a person has an excess of the earth element and a deficiency of water, fire, or wind, his consciousness is inflexible. What does this mean? If he is asked to do something he is not used to doing, he will not be able to do it or will do it incorrectly, and confusion will begin in his mind. For example, if I now suggest that you come out here and sing some song or dance, some people will blush, while others, as if nothing had happened, will both sing and dance, and will even have fun doing it. Those who blush have an inflexible mind. This means that their qualities of wind, fire, and water are poorly developed. However, it is possible that those who sing and dance will show themselves, where persistence and courage are needed, to be weaker than those who have an inflexible mind. Although this, too, is not yet certain. This is how various qualities and elements manifest. Ideally, a yogin should have all the elements developed and balanced. He should be capable of manifesting in any way, that is, of attaining great flexibility in consciousness.
The Highest Realization of the Earth Element
“Reaching full development in spiritual practice, the earth element becomes the wisdom of impartiality. It is precisely the highest spiritual capacity of earth that allows the practitioner to be stable and balanced under any circumstances, however extraordinary they may be, and to recognize the luminous primordial natural state common to all experiences.”
In order to balance the earth element or develop it, one performs concentration and unification of contemplative presence with the muladhara chakra, when the bhavana “Aham Brahmasmi” or the state of presence is transferred to the area of the muladhara and united with the energy, when the yogin feels the presence and the energies emanating from the level of the muladhara as a boundless sphere, when the yogin feels divine pride arising from the level of the muladhara chakra. Such practices in tantra are called “the union of bliss with emptiness.” They are highly advanced sadhanas, accessible only to experienced masters. However, it is considered that if a yogin has not yet mastered such an ability to unite contemplative presence with an element, then he is still at a childish level. Therefore, the mandatory practice program for monks includes retreats in which they perform such a unification of contemplative presence. A yogin who has succeeded in uniting presence with the earth element can open the muladhara without resorting to technical practices, asanas, or pranayamas. He can awaken kundalini or introduce the pranas simply through the power of contemplation alone. It is said of such a yogin that he has mastered the initial siddhis of the unity of prana and mind, and he can also maintain stable contemplation even if some harsh, disruptive energies arise. If, however, he has not mastered the unification of contemplation with the earth element, then, if harsh or disruptive energies arise, it will be difficult for him to maintain contemplation. Suppose his contemplation is well maintained at the level of wind or at the level of fire, but if the situation is harsher, this indicates a strong influence connected with the earth element, and then his contemplation will be disrupted.
The Water Element
“Water. If the water element is balanced in our inner and outer life, everything flows smoothly for us; we know how to adapt and orient ourselves well in events and life relationships. The balance of water makes it possible to come to terms with various situations; it brings a feeling of joy and contentment. The higher dimension of water in personal experience is satisfaction with the fact that you are alive, the joy of being that comes from within and does not depend on external circumstances. When we have a connection with the joy inherent in the water element, this is also manifested outwardly: we rejoice in meeting people, in new places, we enjoy life. People with a predominance of the water element have many feelings and emotions, and sometimes they are too relaxed, that is, they take their responsibilities too lightly and drift along the waves of life. This means that a person, becoming accustomed to constant relaxation, loses presence and reconciles himself to situations that need to be changed, or simply idles. Such a person does not make efforts to overcome difficulties, even if, because of this, he has to give up something valuable.”
If a person has an excess of the water element, he can most often be a good conversationalist, a friend, someone with whom it is fun to spend time. However, if you are engaged with him in some serious matter, then at times he may be an unserious partner; he may take lightly the matter that you are seriously involved in, and relax, enjoy himself, thinking: “Nothing is working out, well, it’s not a big deal.” These are all manifestations of the water element. If the water element is balanced, then a person can be wonderfully present in relationships and perform any actions with great power of concentration.
Imbalance of the Water Element
“In meditation, an excess of water can reduce clarity. This is not the dullness and sluggishness associated with water, but something like a weak-willed drifting with the current, which makes it difficult to accomplish tasks and deprives one of enjoyment of their fruits. An excess of water can also lead to a person being completely absorbed in emotions; waves of feelings constantly overwhelm and whirl him around, and he is too sensitive to fleeting emotional states.”
Those who have an excess of the water element evaluate everything from the point of view of emotions. In a situation to which a person at the level of fire or earth would pay no attention at all, such a person will experience jealousy, envy, pride or, conversely, attachment, delight, and things of that kind. Suppose, during a bhakti meeting, in a purely business situation, such a person will evaluate the business situation from the position of personality, from the position of emotions; that is, he will introduce a personal aspect. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes it is bad. If he brings in some personal creativity, that is good, but if he brings in personal dislike, that will be bad and will hinder the work, because in service there are no personal relationships, but there is what simply needs to be done, regardless of persons. It can be said that a person with an excess of the water element has a subconscious projection of imposing emotions and emotionally coloring a situation. Sometimes this helps in the sense that he can bring joy and creativity into any moment of life; it is joyful to do anything with such a person. A person with an excess of the water element can create emotional coloring out of nowhere, that is, take offense over a trifle, evaluate things from the position of personality, although one should simply take it up and do it, without attaching any significance to such things.
Practice of Working with the Water Element
“Instead of abiding in the blessed relaxation of the water element, we rush about in waves of emotions. A lack of water gives a feeling of inner discomfort, a joyless mood, and tense relationships with people. Even if there is a good foundation of the earth element, a lack of water makes it dry, deprives it of joy and sensitivity. If there is little of both earth and water, then fire or air, or both of these elements, will predominate, which will entail a lack of stability or excessive agitation. In meditation, a lack of the water element means a feeling of inner discomfort when performing the practice and the loss of joy on the spiritual path; the practice may become lifeless and barren. The practices that develop the beneficial aspects of water are emotional. The main one is Guru Yoga, which opens the heart, the development of love and compassion, the practice of giving and receiving in return. If the heart does not participate in spiritual practice, it may proceed from the mind alone. The result of the highest development of the water element in spiritual practice is the attainment of mirror-like wisdom.”
What is the ideal state of practitioners? It is always even, correct awareness, fully controlling emotions. Nevertheless, it is always warm, friendly, and filled with energy. This indicates a balance of the elements. If there is simply awareness, then it is cold and lifeless, without energy; or, on the contrary, if there is an excess of emotional evaluations, then these are imbalances.
