The Pancha Maha Bhutas: Water Element

We continue our discussion on the pancha maha bhutas (5 Great Elements) by introducing the second element: WATER.

(Please read: the overview of the pancha maha bhutas, and the Earth Element to get caught up)

Our orientation to WATER and how we view the characteristics and qualities of this elemental "personality" is based on how it is seen to manifest in our body, where its essence is located in the subtle body (according to yogic/Tantrik physiology), and conclusions from the experimental model & methodology of bhuta shuddhi that is used in our yoga sadhana.

Similar to how we saw the Earth element as manifesting at the densest of levels -- at the base of spine, in the bones and muscles, down into the feet -- we look at how the Water element, being the second in rank of density, manifests at the svadisthana chakra in the sacrum, in the hips, and in the fluid system(s) of the body.

Now, we would be remiss not to investigate how the 5 Koshas (sheaths; coverings) might intersect and exchange here. Remember that the koshas are the yogic model which describes the 5 different layers of "bodies" that we have:

Each of these 5 layers refers to a particular aspect of the "coverings" that encase our soul. There seems to be a parallel between the koshas and the elements & chakras, in that we move from densest to subtlest. The Earth corresponds to annamaya kosha , Water to pranamaya kosha, and so on. Following this model we can see the Atman, our jiva or individual soul, is the divine spark resting at the core of us, which is revealed in its perfection as we sublimate and transcend through the varying levels of density obstructing its light.

Of course, there may not be a perfect carry-over but I suspect that these are great models to consider, especially with respect to our sadhana and what we may be experiencing (or perceiving).

As we turn our attention to the Water element, and we look at how water manifests in the body (specifically via the blood and lymph), we can reason that water carries a flowing electromagnetic charge within it, which carries information and intelligence. The pathways of water in the body, so to speak, are like channels of information, and wherever liquid is flowing there is an electromagnetic charge surrounding it (physics and stuff). Prana is closely related to these subtle electromagnetic principles. Blood is a matrix comprised of water but also many other important chemicals, and especially chemical messengers known as hormones.

We may also deduce that water carries memory. Some of you may have heard of the revolutionary experiment, dubbed "DNA teleportation":

DNA teleportation is a pseudoscientific claim which suggests that DNA can produce electromagnetic signals (EMS) that are measurable when highly diluted in water. The claim suggests these signals can allegedly be recorded, transmitted electronically and re-emitted on another distant pure water sample, where the DNA can replicate through polymerase chain reaction, despite the absence of the original DNA in the new water sample.[1] The idea was introduced by the Nobel laureate Luc Montagnier in 2009.[2] It is similar in principle to water memory, a similar pseudoscientific claim popularised by Jacques Benveniste in 1988.

Wait.... what???

Let's take a moment to break this down.

What is being suggested here, in layman's terms, is that water can carry memory by being imprinted upon via light frequency. The study demonstrated that the "identity" of the DNA, which can be recorded by measuring the EMS signals being emitted from the DNA, can be transmitted to sterile water via a literal audio recording (a .WAV file that was sent via e-mail from a lab in Paris to a lab in Italy, actually) which then, this distant water sample, upon being agitated sufficiently, manifests DNA that is 98% identical to the original DNA.

The implications of this are massive.

Jeff Reimers, of the University of Sydney, said that if these conclusions are true, "these would be the most significant experiments performed in the past 90 years, demanding re-evaluation of the whole conceptual framework of modern chemistry"

If one were to go down the rabbit hole on this, one may be led into contemplating how life on Earth began... as light frequencies emitted from somewhere beyond, carrying the signatures of life, and the elemental matrix and unique chemistry here on our planet, especially the WATER, somehow captured this light and gave it the appropriate container and conditions to manifest biological life as we know it today. And yet -- LIGHT remains the origin and cause. You may remember that this aligns with the yogic view that Light is the causal principle.

So, where does that leave us in our discussion on the WATER element? Well, we've already covered a lot of ground and got pretty far out there for a moment. Let's bring it back in.

Water. Blood. Svadisthana chakra at the sacrum/hips, the seat of elemental Water in the subtle body. Pranamaya kosha.

It is true that blood in the body moves via the circulatory system, but we must also look at how lymph flows in the body. There is 5x more lymph than there is blood in the body, and the lymphatic system is largely responsible for taking away waste products and also irrigating the cellular matrix with nutrients, hormones, and other important chemicals responsible for balanced and healthy biological functioning. The thing about lymph is that it doesn't have the same miraculous machine that is the heart to move it on its mission through the body. So, how does it move?! MOVEMENT.

The movement of the body is what causes the waters to flow and circulate. Yes, even the blood, which has the heart to pump it AWAY from the heart via the arteries into the periphery requires movement to assist it in the blood's return to the heart via the veins. Lymph, however, depends almost entirely on the movements in the body to produce a "pumping" affect. Each of the junctions of the body that we know of as joints serve this purpose. When the joints move, they create a sort of pumping action which provides a pressure wave that then pushes the fluid along its channel. In medical science it is well known that lack of movement leads to stagnant lymph, which results in dis-ease. When the body is moving freely and regularly, the waters in the body flow and circulate, creating a healthy internal eco-system of water and fluid. In just the same way as stagnant water in a river breeds pathogens and other nasties, the same occurs inside of us. Flowing water is healthy water. We are no different than the rivers of our planet. Taking care of the water outside, which leads to healthy crops and lands and ecosystems, must be mirrored internally. We are all reflections of Nature.

The teaching presented here is the importance of creating optimal "flow" internally with our inner waters, and taking care not to pollute them or allow waste products to build up. In yoga, it is said that the blood becomes polluted when the mind is agitated, as the mind in its agitation dumps neurochemicals and other metabolites into the bloodstream which then must become digested. Even the Egyptians knew this, suggesting that anger led to "hot" blood. In the modern world, we may even say things like "he is hot-blooded" when referring to someone with a temper. These observations are valid and relevant. In Ayurveda, anger is said to aggravate pitta, which is the dosha predominantly connected to fire and water. Know that emotions have chemical correlates in the body and manifests as neurochemicals and hormones. These chemicals directly influence the chemistry of the blood. There is a reason why exercise can be so helpful in managing our emotions, in much the same way that if we ended up frustrated and "take it out" on a strong hike or a jog or a strong vinyasa practice , we metabolize these feelings and move them through, alchemizing them back into the pure and clean water that is our natural state.

One must consider these things when thinking about oneself as a multi-dimensional being. We are complex creatures, and yet everything we need to know is hidden in plain sight. I find it very helpful to have this elemental model to look at and study for these reasons.

So, movement is our answer to balancing Water in the body. But not just any movement -- flowing, fluid, circular, dynamic movement. Movements which "pump" and enhance the flow of fluid internally. Simple things like a rotational joint warm-up at the beginning of the day can go a LONG way to helping with this. Vinyasas like surya namaskar or repetitive "pumping" actions which produce the effect of a flowing pump. Walking, hiking, jogging. Jumping. This stuff seems obvious but when we look at it from these expanded perspectives they may begin to make much more sense in terms of their importance and place.

With Earth we have this idea of steadiness and groundedness -- weight bearing activities like holding a pose and sinking into the weight of it. Tuning in with gravity. With Water, we take this stability and transform it into movement, flowing between static postures. Noticing the adaptability that this awards, so as not to practice becoming too rigid or brittle. The elements begin to weave together. Just as a river needs banks to flow in a particular direction, so too do we need the right stability and configuration of the body to be like banks of the river.. and then we allow the energy to flow.

So, asanas have their place .. and the movement between asanas , as vinyasa, has its place. Electromagnetic energy begins to enhance its current through the body as we carry waste out and nutrients in.

All the clues are right there, right here. Right in front of us! All we have to do is look. Stay tuned for the next essay on FIRE....

-GI