The concept of the five elements is key to Ayurveda. The five elements, also referred to as the Maha bhutas, exist throughout all of creation. When they are in balance, they support life and maintain harmony, but when they are out of balance they cause disease and threaten life. As man is a microcosm of nature, these five elements exist within each individual.
The five elements arise from pure, unified consciousness that is the source of all things. First there is the SPACE element. As movement happens in Space, AIR is created. As Air begins to flow it causes friction which creates heat, light and the element of FIRE. When the heat of fire begins to dissolve, it liquifies into the element of WATER. When water solidifies it turns into the element of EARTH.
SPACE – AIR – FIRE – WATER -EARTH
Let’s take a deeper look at each of the five elements.