One of my favorite meditation practices from the Buddhist tradition, which isn’t very well known, is called the Six Element Practice. This meditation revolves around reflecting on the interconnected nature of our existence.
I love this practice for several reasons. It’s deeply poetic and highlights how we are an intrinsic part of the universe. It also aligns with contemporary science, a subject I’m passionate about, adding another layer of depth to the practice. Moreover, this meditation is highly effective; many people, including myself, have experienced profound changes in our sense of self. It fosters a feeling of connectedness, lightness, and freedom.
The meditation involves examining the six elements that comprise our being and realizing that none of these elements truly define us. These six elements come from an ancient worldview, which, although outdated, still makes sense experientially. The six traditional elements are:
1. Earth
2. Water
3. Fire
4. Air
5. Space
6. Consciousness
The first four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—are quite straightforward. We are composed of solids, liquids, gases, and energy, which is how we interact with the world.
In the Six Element Practice, we reflect on each element individually. First, we connect with the element within us, which we usually consider as part of ourselves. For the earth element, for instance, we sense the solidity of our body against the floor or our seat, acknowledging the bones, muscles, hair, and teeth. Even if we can’t directly experience parts like our internal organs, we imagine them.
Next, we connect with the same element outside of us. For the earth element, we recall solid objects around us—walking on ground, picking up a rock, feeling the bark of a tree, or holding an apple. Recalling experiences with food, like bread, fruits, and vegetables, is particularly useful.
Then, we reflect on the reality that there isn’t a distinct “me” earth element or “other” earth element, but simply one earth element. We recognize how this element moves through our body. The solid matter within us—bones, muscles, hair, teeth, and organs—originates from the outside world, transforming from soil, rocks, wheat, milk, vegetables, and more. Our body’s constant renewal means what was once part of us becomes part of the outside world again.
By reflecting this way, we shift our perception of the solid matter in our body. What initially seemed like separate, distinct parts are now seen as a continuous flow, inseparable from the world. The earth element flows from the outside world through our body and back out again. Observing this flow, we realize, “This is not me. This is not mine. This is not myself,” as we cannot own something that merely passes through.
We continue this reflection with the other physical elements, understanding that all solid, liquid, gas, and energy inside us are temporarily passing through.
This brings us to the space element. We think of a space—the human form—through which elements pass. But this human form itself is just the first four elements. Without them, nothing remains distinct. The elements of our body always remain part of the outside world, illustrating that separateness is an illusion.
Finally, there’s consciousness. Traditionally, this involves recognizing the relationship between: 1) form (the first five elements), 2) the perception of form through our senses, and 3) consciousness of form in our mind. These three aspects form a continuous, inseparable whole. We usually perceive consciousness as separate from what it observes, but this practice encourages us to let go of identifying any part of this continuum as “me” or “not me.” Instead, the universe is seen as perceiving itself, becoming conscious of itself.
If even our consciousness isn’t truly “us,” then what are we? This is one of the remarkable aspects of the Six Element Practice—it leaves us with a sense of mystery. This sense of mystery creates openness, letting go of the need to define ourselves. We temporarily abandon the categorization of experience into “self” and “other.” There’s no separate “me” experiencing a world “out there.” There’s merely a vibrant, alive awareness, the universe conscious of itself, resulting in a sense of freedom—life without boundaries.
If you’re curious about the Six Element Practice and want to delve deeper, consider joining my six-week online course starting July 12.