Ayurveda is the product of a civilization deeply rooted in Mother Nature. The seers knew that all of Nature is part of the individual, since we are all created from, exist in, and return to nature.

A fundamental tenet of the Ayurvedic system of medicine is the principle of similarity between macrocosm and microcosm. We human beings are made of the same “stuff” the rest of the universe is made up of.

Ayurveda believes that everything in the universe is made up of 5 elements — Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, or Akasha, Vayu, Teja, Aap, and Prithvi in Sanskrit, respectively.

These 5 elements can be considered as subtle matter states or energy; as matter and energy are interconnected states on the continuum of existence.

The Great 5 Elements of Nature

The 5 elements represent multidimensional macro and micro existence, expression and ideas. Space, for example, represents the expansive and open qualities of the universe/sky, the infinite potential of the mind, and also, the actual hollowed spaces inside of the body, such as inside tubes and channels, arteries, etc.

Earth represents the solid state of matter. It manifests stability, permanence, and rigidity. The body parts that are particularly thick, stable, massive, heavy, coarse, and hard; nails, bones, teeth, flesh, skin, faces, hair, beard and moustaches, tendons, etc., along with smell and olfactory sense (nose) are Earth in nature. In the mind, Earth endows resolve, power to withstand and endure.

Water characterizes eternal flow and is always unstable by nature, It is a liquid state and is a majority composer of various fluid substances inside our body – blood, lymph, urine, intracellular fluid, and even emotions that often possess a liquid and sticky, clingy, cohesive quality. Water flows through our being, distributing nutrition, carrying away wastes, regulating temperature by imparting a cooling effect, strengthening and moistening our being by distributing the immune essence, or ojas, throughout the body; and making our cells hydrated and youthful with fluid. The sense of taste and tongue are Water dominant in nature. Thus, the liquid, mobile, dull, unctuous, soft, and slimy aspects of our being are dominated by Water. In the mind, Water creates feelings and emotions.

Fire is the power to transform, burn, and illumine. In the body, all food and substances, be they solid, liquid, or gaseous in nature, thanks to Fire, get transformed or converted into tissue and energy. In the mind, fiery intelligence and fiery emotions, along with passion, contribute to a fiery experience of the being. Heat, luster, along with vision and visual sense, are Fire dominant in nature. In the mind, Fire assists passion, as well as anger.

Air is the element that is mobile and eternally dynamic, with no arrest, whatsoever. Its constant motion and speed is its unique characteristic. Respiration, twinkling of eyes (all subtle movements, including that of nerves), contraction and relaxation, movement, propulsion and retention, along with touch and tactile senses, are Air dominant in nature. In the mind, the thoughts and their constant motion is well represented by Air. So typically, fearful anxiety will manifest if one's Air element were to unnaturally increase.

Ether is the space in which everything happens. The vacant spaces inside the body, big and small channels, along with sound and auditory sense are predominant in Space by nature. It is the field that is simultaneously the source of all matter and the space in which it exists. Ether is only the distances that separate grosser states of matter (the other 4 elements). The chief characteristic of ether is sound. Here, sound represents the entire spectrum of vibration. In the mind, it creates an expansive potential to meditate and be quiet.

Which Element Possesses You?

We can benefit from the Ayurvedic understanding of the Great 5 Elements to not only understand the outer universe, but also our inner universe – our unique mind-body personality.

According to Ayurveda, the relationships between the elements greatly determines our natural constitution and predispositions to health and ill health; and influences even minor things like our habits, hobbies, and spiritual inclinations.

When elements combine together, they form bio-psychic forces called doshas – and while dosha-based constitution is a standard in Ayurvedic tradition, the great teacher of Ayurveda, Rishi Sushruta, also elaborated upon 5 element-based constitution, and in this article, I shed light on that.

Being a part of nature, we are, ourselves, an expression of these five attributes.

It should be noted that each of us contains and expresses the qualities of all five elements, but our particular constitution, or nature, has dominant elements.

Space Dominant Constitution – Akashiya

The various openings in the body and internal spaces will be large and well-defined. You will possess great understanding of sound and its multiple shades and tones. A Space Element dominant individual will display expansiveness, a love of cleanliness, light body weight, etc.

The mind may be expansive and unattached naturally – in Sanskrit, we call this quality sattva, which will make you, from birth, a lover of all things spiritual, lightness, refinement, truth, and expansiveness. You will seek Space in how you are in relationships, inside your home, closet, and even inside your body (no congestion permitted). On bad days, you may feel “spacey,” but if you understand yourself, you will enjoy the uninterrupted quality of your self-expression, whether in being or becoming.

Your body will embody mildness, softness, subtleness, lightness, and looseness (of joints, ideas, etc.). After all, your body is weaved with oodles of ether, that ever-so-subtle matter in the universe that effortlessly flows and connects and holds, but is barely there and yet everywhere.

Watch out for an excessively fragile body by feeding yourself well and with intention. A mind that does not ground enough and emotions and thoughts that do not hold or cohere long enough to create a decisive state of mind are other challenges.

Otherwise, enjoy your spontaneous ability to meditate and channel, connect with cosmic ether, and embody being and non-being at the same time.

Air Dominant Constitution – Vayavya

You may find that you get excited easily and you will find yourself mobile, always on the move, physically or mentally, or both. Also, you will possess a sensitive skin, with a well-developed sense of touch. Even the ever-so-subtle wind, as it moves in creation, will stroke your skin and alert you to its divine existence.

Your constitution will embody dryness, subtleness, lightness, looseness, lack of compactness, easy extensibility, coolness, roughness, and the ability to perceive touch excellently. In the mind, there will be an overflow of quick thoughts, as the thinking process is really a play of the Air element. The quality of rajas, or excitement, dominates the mind, creating non-stop mental activity, frequent agitation, mood swings, and sometimes even turbulence in the mind.

After all, what is Air? Grab a handful, and you get a non-substance in your palm, but lots of sensations on the skin of your palm. Motion without substance describes you, and also describes some of your projects, in which you may turn your wheels for not much substantial gain.

Like wind, you can blow harmoniously and creatively. But when the mood changes, bellow and destruct like enraged winds uprooting trees and homes. Watch out for depletion from over-action, exhaustion of body and mind, thinness, skipping meals, or sacrificing normal sleep hours in favor of excitement – as that also aggravates Air. Enjoy the spontaneity, quickness, and unparalleled imagination and visions, which are your gifts from nature.

Fire Dominant Constitution – Agneya

You will embody the thermal and radiant state of matter, and hence, you will run hotter than most people, digest well, or rather too intensely, and this heat in the mind will translate as intelligence, sharpness and even anger at times.

You may be easily impatient, and burn out quickly with a mediocre endurance capacity. The spark that enlivens you, may also burn you in summers, or if you consume excessive fiery foods or lead a fiery hot lifestyle. Your skin may have a deep pinkish to reddish hue naturally, and you may possess not only excellent vision to begin with but also, an eye for details. An excellent digestion, if taken for granted, may lead to burning sensations, etc.

Your body embodies fiery qualities, such as sharpness (tongue, temper, appetite), hotness (body and mind), dryness (due to over heating and parching), subtleness (of mind), lightness (body weight), and clearness (in mind and complexion). In your mind, both sattva and rajas qualities dominate, so you may seek spiritual solitude (sattva), and at the same time make a list on how to obtain it (action tinged quality of rajas).

Watch out for burning the body, as well as bridges in professional life. Enjoy your natural leadership potential, your sunny cheerful temperament, and your ability to find solutions and achieve mastery of life and health through sheer force of transformation.

Water Dominant Constitution – Jaliya

Water dominant individuals are dominant in Water, or liquid state of matter.

You will feel cold easily and your appearance will show your skin to be well-moistened, soft, smooth and almost oily sheen.

Your joints will look well lubricated and hair, nails, etc. have a fluid, soft quality. Your body fluids (including sexual ones) will be abundant, endowing you with fertility and beauty. Your body embodies watery qualities, such as liquidity, coolness, heaviness, slowness, gentle mobility and stickiness (yes, everything glued together).

The Water, manifesting as emotions, possesses your being often, and in floods of feelings and loyalty, memory and attachments, you dwell in a landscape that is more often than not romantic, sentimental, old world and special.

Look out for water retention, and being quick to accumulate body fat, because fat is predominantly made up of the Water element. The watery, introspective quality of your mind may sometimes slip into sad weepy depression. Enjoy your natural nurturing and healing ability, appreciate your soft beauty, and dwell in your flowing bodysuit with grace and artistry. Embrace what comes naturally to you.

Earth Dominant Constitution – Parthiva

Your well-built body will display sturdiness, heaviness, largeness, and compactness (density) of Earth. You may have a tendency to put on weight, too, which is not flabby, but hard – more muscle buildup than fat. Your bones may be heavy, too.

Often, Earth dominant individuals possess a more earthy complexion (darker than usual), and even newborn babies that are dominant in Earth are large enough to look older than their age, or look really well-nourished when compared to the puny Air- and Space- or Fire-dominant babies.

Your body embodies earthy qualities, such as hardness, slowness, compactness, bulkiness, and steadiness. The Earth in you makes you capable of tolerating heavy odds, do hard labor and demonstrate patience and remarkable enduring power. You may find that you are often courageous and easily forgive others. Yes, you are the down to earth, rooted, solid, stable and dependable one in this 5 element universe.

Watch out for excessive Earth-creating blockages, growths, and a stubborn mind. Flexibility and ease should be your mantra even as you enjoy the divine gifts of calmness, sturdiness, and resolve in body and mind.

A Mirror to Our Being

Born from the womb of nature and destined to return back to nature, we human beings are indeed weaved by the same five threads that intertwine and compose the rest of the universe.

Though we contain all five in every atom, every cell, every particle of our being that makes us up, yet often a single element truly rules our show and dictates the genetic script of our being and dictates the terms of our personality, its weaknesses and strengths, as well as what will balance us and what will imbalance us.

When we make a conscious effort to understand the great 5 elements of nature, we see in that ancient wisdom a reflection of our own being. We begin to know, at an intuitive level, how the elements play inside us and their behavior in the macrocosm is a mirror to how they will behave inside us, in the microcosm.

With Love and Blessings to All,

Acharya Shunya

Acharya Shunya is a globally-recognized spiritual teacher and Vedic lineage-holder who awakens health and consciousness through the Vedic sciences of Ayurveda, Vedanta and Yoga. She is the driving force behind an online wisdom school and worldwide spiritual community, and the author of best-selling book on the Vedic art of mind + body + soul well-being and health, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom (Sounds True, 2017) and forthcoming second book with Sounds True to be released in 2020, Sovereign Self. Acharya Shunya is a keynote speaker at national and international conferences, and serves as an advisor to the Indian Government in matters pertaining to global integration and cultivation of Ayurveda and Yoga. Receive her free online teachings and browse her current eCourse offerings here or see more about her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram. Subscribe to her YouTube Channel where she holds live Global Satsangs once per month.