body.mind.spirit
5 Elements : Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Ancient philosophy has always observed and explored the interrelationship between all living things. The surrounding landscape, human health and cosmology were somehow integrated to bring meaning and connection to the many diverse aspects of life. The causes of Disease and the methods of Healing also formed part of this matrix of integrated observations.
As modern science gradually evolved, many of these observed, working systems and beliefs were brushed aside as being superstitious and outmoded beliefs. They did not contain or would not fit the "scientific model" of understanding. The Scientific model has tended to divide the world into smaller and smaller isolated particles. It is interesting to note that quantum physics now brings everything back together again and relates more closely to these ancient observations and beliefs.
CHANGES
It is very obvious to us all that many people today are searching for a path that will lead them to spiritual reawakening. It is therefore helpful if we re-examine the ancient philosophical paths of our ancestors. After all, their theories and beliefs were often based on acute and prolonged observation of the action of physical phenomena. Of course many of these practical observations were intertwined with their own spiritual understandings and beliefs of that time.
Never the less an understanding of these "alive" systems will assist us to glimpse, not only into the world of the ancients, but also assist us to gain "ecological" wisdom that can provide us with powerful tools in maintaining our health and connection with our true spirit.
THE 5 ELEMENT SYSTEM
The ancient Chinese created a medical framework that was based on the observation of nature. It clearly explained how the human body and mind related and interacted in accord with the environment. The 5 Elements therefore offers us a simple model for balancing and supporting our "True Self" whilst maintaining an awareness of both "inner" and "outer" influences.
Over 5000 years ago societies were dependent for survival on their close relationship with nature. This interdependence between the human world and the natural world had been observed, studied and recorded for thousands of years. The earliest medical textbook called the “Nei Jing -The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine” was written in approximately 500 BC and provides us with one of the first written records of the relationship between the external forces of the natural world and the internal workings of the human body.
In these early times people depended on agriculture for their livelihoods. They farmed and lived off the landscape and were therefore very attuned to the changes of both season and climate. Each season was linked to an element within nature.
Water - essential for life and crops
Earth - the medium into which crops and food were grown
Fire - the warmth of the sun required for comfort, growth and ripening
Rock - the structure of the landscape that provided structure, tools and minerals
Wood - living plants that provided an abundance of food, fuel, shelter and fodder.
To each of these elements they attributed a body function and organ thus re creating an internal landscape within the body. Over time a "correspondence system" was developed and linked the 5 Elements of: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal (mountains) and Water to all phenomena. These 5 elements still form the basis of our modern day understanding of disease and health as applied to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The 5 Element approach to treatment of disease assists each individual to relate directly to their natural way of being. It encourages each person to become more consciously aware of their innate gifts, strengths, and life challenges. The 5 element model also provides us with a superb diagnostic system for assessing our constitutional health tendencies.
This series of 5 Elements teachings will provide a very simple way of understanding how we behave and respond to change, growth and development. It will provide a "self awareness tool" that lends itself beautifully to individual contemplation as a way of accessing and engaging our true sense of Self.
In each following articles I will explain more deeply, not only the Nature and character each element, but also how to use their inter-relationship to both diagnose, and treat physical and emotional health problems. The next article will show the relationship between each element.
Stay tuned>>>>
Ancient philosophy has always observed and explored the interrelationship between all living things. The surrounding landscape, human health and cosmology were somehow integrated to bring meaning and connection to the many diverse aspects of life. The causes of Disease and the methods of Healing also formed part of this matrix of integrated observations.
As modern science gradually evolved, many of these observed, working systems and beliefs were brushed aside as being superstitious and outmoded beliefs. They did not contain or would not fit the "scientific model" of understanding. The Scientific model has tended to divide the world into smaller and smaller isolated particles. It is interesting to note that quantum physics now brings everything back together again and relates more closely to these ancient observations and beliefs.
CHANGES
It is very obvious to us all that many people today are searching for a path that will lead them to spiritual reawakening. It is therefore helpful if we re-examine the ancient philosophical paths of our ancestors. After all, their theories and beliefs were often based on acute and prolonged observation of the action of physical phenomena. Of course many of these practical observations were intertwined with their own spiritual understandings and beliefs of that time.
Never the less an understanding of these "alive" systems will assist us to glimpse, not only into the world of the ancients, but also assist us to gain "ecological" wisdom that can provide us with powerful tools in maintaining our health and connection with our true spirit.
THE 5 ELEMENT SYSTEM
The ancient Chinese created a medical framework that was based on the observation of nature. It clearly explained how the human body and mind related and interacted in accord with the environment. The 5 Elements therefore offers us a simple model for balancing and supporting our "True Self" whilst maintaining an awareness of both "inner" and "outer" influences.
Over 5000 years ago societies were dependent for survival on their close relationship with nature. This interdependence between the human world and the natural world had been observed, studied and recorded for thousands of years. The earliest medical textbook called the “Nei Jing -The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine” was written in approximately 500 BC and provides us with one of the first written records of the relationship between the external forces of the natural world and the internal workings of the human body.
In these early times people depended on agriculture for their livelihoods. They farmed and lived off the landscape and were therefore very attuned to the changes of both season and climate. Each season was linked to an element within nature.
Water - essential for life and crops
Earth - the medium into which crops and food were grown
Fire - the warmth of the sun required for comfort, growth and ripening
Rock - the structure of the landscape that provided structure, tools and minerals
Wood - living plants that provided an abundance of food, fuel, shelter and fodder.
To each of these elements they attributed a body function and organ thus re creating an internal landscape within the body. Over time a "correspondence system" was developed and linked the 5 Elements of: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal (mountains) and Water to all phenomena. These 5 elements still form the basis of our modern day understanding of disease and health as applied to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The 5 Element approach to treatment of disease assists each individual to relate directly to their natural way of being. It encourages each person to become more consciously aware of their innate gifts, strengths, and life challenges. The 5 element model also provides us with a superb diagnostic system for assessing our constitutional health tendencies.
This series of 5 Elements teachings will provide a very simple way of understanding how we behave and respond to change, growth and development. It will provide a "self awareness tool" that lends itself beautifully to individual contemplation as a way of accessing and engaging our true sense of Self.
In each following articles I will explain more deeply, not only the Nature and character each element, but also how to use their inter-relationship to both diagnose, and treat physical and emotional health problems. The next article will show the relationship between each element.
Stay tuned>>>>
Tags: 5, element, health, introduction, michael
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ali Afifi on -
This elements remembered me with what the Quran said
(56) We created you, then why do you believe not? (57) Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit. (58) Is it you who create it (i.e. make this semen into a perfect human being), or are We the Creator? (59) We have decreed death to you all, and We are not outstripped, (60) To transfigure you and create you in (forms) that you know not. (61) And indeed, you have already known the first form of creation (i.e. the creation of Adam), why then do you not remember (or take heed)? (62) Then tell Me! about seed that you sow in the ground. (63) Is it you that make it grow, or are We the Grower? (64) Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry pieces, and you would be regretful (or left in wonderment). (Tafsir Ibn-Kathir) (65) (Saying): "We are indeed Mughramûn (i.e. ruined or have lost the money without any profit, or are punished by the loss of all that we spend for cultivation)! (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî) (66) "Nay, but we are deprived!" (67) Then tell Me about the water that you drink. (68) Is it you who cause it from the rainclouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down? (69) If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable), why then do you not give thanks (to Allâh)? (70) Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle. (71) Is it you who made the tree thereof to grow, or are We the Grower? (72) We have made it a Reminder (of the Hell-fire, in the Hereafter); and an article of use for the travellers (and all the others, in this world). (73) Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great. (74) So I swear by the setting of the stars. (75) And verily, that is indeed a great oath, if you but know. (76) That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'ân). (77)
He remembered also 5 elements
1- Semen; the man
2- Water
3- The Seeds and the Ground= the Earth
4- The fire
5- The Stars
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Permalink Reply by MICHAEL on
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Hi Ali
Thanks for the quotation ..... good stuff
Reading it with my "WE" perception, "WE" understand that the verses speak about the "SPIRIT/WE/GOD in contrast to the "Human Personality" mind/emotions/actions. Of course our personalities/ego/genetics are of this Earth Plane, they are not who we really are (see my earlier articles) - but our personalities are indeed created by the "SPIRIT/WE/GOD" or to put it another way by the love that passes through our body/mind from the COSMIC MIND.
In "OUR" view, the Quran, like most other religious scriptures simply, but firmly, reminds us that none of us are from this plane of existence. We have forgotten who we really are ...... and that the life journey of us all in our personality form, is to awaken from this illusion in order to discover that we are "Spiritual Beings" having a human experience.
In relation to the 5 Elements .... "WE" are in everything, so it is us who "CREATE" everything .... and that the 5 elements are simply a means of describing this plane of existence.
In Chinese Medicine the same associations exist but are described slightly differently:
WATER is the source and the cauldron of our physical life - our genetic male/female plan
METAL relates to the Father aspect and the heavens
EARTH is related to nurturing and the Mother aspect
FIRE is related to both to heart and communication with the Divine
WOOD is the aspect that relates to growth and creation.
Ultimately our personality will step aside and allow the "WE" nature to be heard.
Interesting is it not? Salaam Ali.
Ali Afifi said:This elements remembered me with what the Quran said
(56) We created you, then why do you believe not? (57) Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit. (58) Is it you who create it (i.e. make this semen into a perfect human being), or are We the Creator? (59) We have decreed death to you all, and We are not outstripped, (60) To transfigure you and create you in (forms) that you know not. (61) And indeed, you have already known the first form of creation (i.e. the creation of Adam), why then do you not remember (or take heed)? (62) Then tell Me! about seed that you sow in the ground. (63) Is it you that make it grow, or are We the Grower? (64) Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry pieces, and you would be regretful (or left in wonderment). (Tafsir Ibn-Kathir) (65) (Saying): "We are indeed Mughramûn (i.e. ruined or have lost the money without any profit, or are punished by the loss of all that we spend for cultivation)! (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî) (66) "Nay, but we are deprived!" (67) Then tell Me about the water that you drink. (68) Is it you who cause it from the rainclouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down? (69) If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable), why then do you not give thanks (to Allâh)? (70) Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle. (71) Is it you who made the tree thereof to grow, or are We the Grower? (72) We have made it a Reminder (of the Hell-fire, in the Hereafter); and an article of use for the travellers (and all the others, in this world). (73) Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great. (74) So I swear by the setting of the stars. (75) And verily, that is indeed a great oath, if you but know. (76) That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'ân). (77) He remembered also 5 elements 1- Semen; the man
2- Water
3- The Seeds and the Ground= the Earth
4- The fire
5- The Stars
-
Permalink Reply by Bridget Ann Orman on
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thank you for sharing this with us it was most interesting may your day be filled with many blessings lol
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