As is the cosmic body, so is the human body
As is the cosmic mind, so is the human mind
As is the macrocosm, so is the microcosm
~The Upanishads
Quantum physics thus reveals a basic oneness of the universe.
~ Erwin Schrödinger
Last week we concluded our exploration of the Ayurvedic Space element. As I was finishing the few final lines, it occurred to me this blog project has become much larger (more Spacious) than what I originally imagined. We might very well get up to Part 25 by the time our element conversation is completed… So if this is OK with you, my readers, I’ll use “Part” to refer to the element we are studying instead of the number of the blog post. To clear the confusion I might have possibly created, this post will be Part 2 – for our second element, The Air.
Let’s go back and revisit last weeks’ conversation. We started out with a short introduction to the map of Ayurvedic elements – Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth – and then dove deeper to explore the Space element in more detail. We looked at how the container of Space expresses itself in our living quarters, in the way we structure our days, in the habits of our minds, and in the shape we hold our bodies. We’ve done a few DIY exercises to better understand the nature of this element.
I am curious whether our past discussions have started to shift the way you view your body and the world around. Unlike modern medicine, with its focus on progressive smaller fractions of our body-mind systems, Ayurveda is the study of comparative characteristics and interconnectedness. What exactly does that mean?
From the elements perspective, for example, it means that the element Space has the very same characteristics whether it is found inside or outside of our bodies. It doesn’t matter if we consider Space on our schedules or feel that we need some “personal Space” – the Spacious, roomy quality of this element remains constant across the board. Once we understand this rule of permanence, we can begin to recognize the subtle interplay of this element within and without our bodies; in other words, we begin to see our lifestyle through the lens of ecology.
As usual, we’ll transition to the next element – Air – with a personal inquiry. This exploration relates directly to the matter of interconnectedness; it will also deepen your understanding of the Air element.
DIY Exploration #1:
How do you feel on windy days?
Not a lot of people love windy days. For some, wind is a mere nuisance; others lose sleep, feel unsettled and even anxious, get sore cracking joints, or suffer from headaches / migraines. Many on-going conditions – such as persistent pain or chronic constipation – worsen when it’s windy out; yet, we fail to make the connection between weather and the way we feel.
As we move into the windy days of early spring, document the way in which movement of Air outside influences your inner experience.
See you next week!
P.S. I love science. No, wait; I adore science. Turns out (and this is the reason I chose Chopra Center University Ayurvedic program – firm adherence to scientific principles) that quantum physics stands behind Ayurvedic principles of system-wide connectivity. Watch this video if you are as curious as I am about what science has to say about the law of entanglement and ideas of unity.
