What comes to your mind, when we think of the word ‘Being’? We, as humans, recognize ourselves with reference to the three pillars of our existence, the mind, the body and the universe. A balance between the mind as well as the body has been known to be the basis of sanity, and our connection with the environment defines our social character and further decides our well-being. In my previous blog, we discussed how the human body is formed by the five elements, i.e. earth, air, water, fire and space. Their balance, in numerous ways, decides our life condition as well as health. Let me further elaborate on the way each element affects our body, as well as mind and the outcomes of element imbalance.
The ancient traditional Indian medicine system, known as the Ayurveda, focuses on maintaining health through taking care of your diet, enhancing the power of the mind and controlling stress through practices such as meditation. The roots of the element theory are also believed to lay in the ideas of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Natural therapy, or Naturopathy, introduced in its modern form in 1902 by Benjamin Lust, had faded in its charm over time, with the proliferation of modern medicine. However, in the contemporary world, it has regained its admiration, owing to the limits of modern medicine being tested repeatedly. The system of Naturopathy, as well as that of Ayurveda, comprises the sole belief in the removal of toxins from the mind as well as the body, creating a balance between the five elements for seeking a healthy life state.
How does the element imbalance affect our mind and body?
Each element affects us on two levels, physiological as well as psychological.
{The physiological stratum refers to our body, i.e. the physical self. The psychological stratum refers to the functions of our mind.}
1. The Earth Element:
The Earth element, being the element of highest density is connected directly to the entire body mass. Its excess causes obesity and lack cause emaciation. The generalization of the Earth element in itself tells you the psychological aspects of it. ‘To be down to Earth’ is often considered a virtue, unless it is in state of excess. The more the Earth element is imbalanced in your being, the more you feel ‘stuck in your own head’, stuck in emotions and lack self-confidence or on the contrary, you are in a constant state of apathy. Brain Fog is another common condition arising from Earth imbalance. The lack of the Earth element pushes you away from emotions and from the sense of life itself.
Natural Ways to Balance the Earth Element:
- Eat foods which are lighter on the digestive system
- Devise ways to manage your time and energy efficiently;
- Enjoy the smell of the earth, touch nature once in a day; a walk on the grass barefoot is the best way to stay connected with the Earth element
- The Ayurveda recommends the Balneotherapy or the Mud therapy to balance the Earth element in your body
- Sound and Vibration Therapy helps in balancing the Earth element
- Meditation on your Mooladhaar Chakra (the Base Chakra) also helps you to balance your Earth element
2. The Water Element:
With direct nexus with all the significant fluids of the body, the Water element takes cares of your blood circulation and controls the body function effectively. Our bodies are made of 60 to 65% water, and its imbalance creates issues in the proper functioning of the body and mind. The system of natural medicine believes water to possess a sense of memory. It is said to retain energy and affect its carrier accordingly. Health issues such as lethargy and kidney-related disorders are a result of Water imbalance.
Natural Ways to Balance the Water Element:
- Drink water, as pure as possible, free from toxins
- Consumption of alkaline, structured water is the best way to neutralize the acidity in the body and balance the entire system
- Hydrotherapy, i.e. external usage of water in different forms is another recommended technique to balance the Water element
- Taking dips regularly in Sea or river water (which are full of minerals) cleans the water element of the body
- Sound and Vibration Therapy helps in balancing the Water element
- Meditating on the Swadhisthaan chakra (Sex Chakra) helps in balancing the water element
We shall talk about Fire, Air, and Space elements and the impact of their imbalance on our lives in my next blog.
