Dhamma Notes No.6

THE 5 ELEMENTS

The Go Dai also corresponds to areas of the body in certain martial arts with mikkyo buddhist leanings. They are used interchangeably with the concept of chakras. 

1. The legs and perenium correlate to the earth element, as well as stable, grounded postures. 
2. The Pelvic girdle houses the water element, and is associated with adaptivity, receptivity,and neutralizing postures.
3. The Solar plexus houses the fire chakra, and is associated with intensity, activity and the lessons of humility. 
4. The wind element is housed in the heart and shoulders. It deals with flight, vision, and the purification of desire. When activated, compassion results through empathy. 
5. The void rests in the throat and head. There are actually three parts to this one, but they interrelate and are called collectively "entering the void" when activated. 

• The first part is the jade gate at the base of the brain. It is associated with the larynx, eloquence, and the lymbic system that is the seat of the emotions. 
• The second level is the ajna or "third eye" in the brow. It is associated with creative vision, the powers of the 'imagination' and telepathy. 
• The third level relates to the pineal gland and higher brain function. Activating it leads to the development of one's 'halo' as the phosphenes are seen as white light emanating from the head of the practitioner when viewed by a 'clairvoyant'. It transcends the personal and leads to realization of the interconnectedness of all things.

“So to make it easy you have to start with the noting of the rising movement and falling movement of the abdomen. Contemplation of the rising and falling movements of the abdomen is not respiration meditation. It is called contemplation of material elements (water & air element) because we have to be aware of the 4 material elements, namely the Earth element, Water element, Fire element and Wind or Air element. We are mainly concerned with these 4 material elements at the beginning of the practice. To observe the rising and falling movements of the abdomen is called contemplation of material elements, Dhatu Manasikara in Pali. It is not respiration meditation though the rising and falling movements of the abdomen is connected to in-breathing and out-breathing. It is not in- and out-breathing. It is just abdominal movement. The air or wind in the abdomen rises or falls, moves forward or backward, sometimes the air moves upward or downward. This upward movement and downward movement are observed; this outward and inward movements of the abdomen are observed, making mental note 'rising, falling, rising, falling'.”—Chanmyay Sayadaw