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6 element practice

DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran

I've recently been working with this again and am finding it useful. The 6 elements are earth, wind, fire, water, space and consciousness, and neatly cover everything that we experience. This method of analysis can be applied both internally and externally.

I originally came across this practice with Triratna, see here: http://www.wildmind.org/six-elements

The 6 elements are described in MN140: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html

pegembarammo

Comments

  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    You had six elements? You were lucky! We only had five ... ;)
    http://yinyana.tumblr.com/day/2012/09/13

    Despite the combining of space and consciousness, I feel elemental practice is very complete. I did it initially very much as a rather rigid mind discipline. Not the most effective way but still useful.

    Now on the occasions I do it, the practice is more an exploration of what is called 'chakras' or centres or types of consciousness; body, emotions, intent or will, communication and mind/spirit. So in a sense I feel it can balance our being and make us more aware of types of sensory processing/areas of attention. B)

  • DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran

    I've been working with just space and consciousness the last few days. Cool! Have realised it's mostly space. ;)

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited May 2015

    Yeah, OP, in Chinese medicine, it's a 5-element theory; earth, wood, fire, metal, and water.

  • thug4lyfethug4lyfe Explorer

    Don't you mean the 4 elements OP?

  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    The three main elements of Buddhism are:

    Buddha = Grounding
    Sangha = Expression
    Dharma = Sky

    Soon there will only be One B)

  • thug4lyfethug4lyfe Explorer

    That's the Triple Gem bro

    Don't mix up the terminologies. They are there to decrease confusion.

    lobster
  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    @thug4lyfe said:
    That's the Triple Gem bro

    The triple gem has three elements or not?

  • thug4lyfethug4lyfe Explorer

    The reason it is called the "Triple Gem" is to emphasis the preciousness of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

    So by calling it the "3 elements" you miss out the important symbolism the Buddha is trying to portray.

    The 4 elements (earth, water, fire and wind) are called the elements because they are described as building blocks that makes up our physical form. So calling it the 4 treasures wouldn't be the most appropriate way to deliver the intended meanings.

    This why we are taught to be humble with Dharma terminologies.

    lobstermmo
  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    You mean the Dharma should be respected? Pah >:)

    Wot for? It is just ignorance bro. :p

  • thug4lyfethug4lyfe Explorer

    @lobster said:
    You mean the Dharma should be respected? Pah >:)

    Wot for? It is just ignorance bro. :p

    sigh... attachment to emptiness.

    The Buddha said that it is better than a person gets attached to form as numerous as the size of Mt Sumeru, than getting attached to emptiness as little as a mustard seed.

    stay safe lobster....

  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    @thug4lyfe said:
    sigh... attachment to emptiness.

    <3

  • thug4lyfethug4lyfe Explorer

    I hope for your case you are trolling and not actually one of those dudes talking about not attaching to the Dharma nomsayin?

  • DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran
    edited May 2015

    @thug4lyfe said:> Don't you mean the 4 elements OP?

    Usually 4 ( the aspects of the form aggregrate ) but in a couple of suttas space and consciousness are added to make 6 elements. It's like a "form-heavy" alternative to the usual 5 aggregates model.
    Noticing space is interesting, it seems to help with the feeling of mental spaciousness. And noticing the 6 types of consciousness is really another way of being mindful of the sense bases, as per the Satipatthana Sutta.

    Zenshinmmo
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    ^^ Education: Throwing down imitation pearls before real swine^^.

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