Is consciousness just an illusion?

Space, action of stillness
Air, action of movement
Fire, action of transformation
Water, action of fluidity
Earth, action of cohesion

Every part of our being, the world around us and the entire universe is comprised of these elements, both externally and internally. These elements also determine our individual constitution or dosha. It makes up the sum of our parts. The six tastes even contain these elements and that is why awareness of what foods we should eat and what is suitable for us can determine a healthy body, mind, spirit. You can check the internet regarding ayurveda and how taste and the elements can work in harmony with each other.

At any rate, if you are interested, have a read of this:


PANCHABUTA or FIVE ELEMENTS

by Dr. Gautam Chatterjee

PANCHABHUTA Or Five Elements. Our whole cosmic quest of the world and beyond starts from the point of panchabhuta (five elements) which then manifests in an enjoining manner to form the life force and then, later, those five elements disintegrates to ensue a celestical traverse at the Paramanu (atom) level.

However, we will first try to understand these five elements which are Earth or Prithvi; Water or Jal ; Fire or Agni; Air or Vayu and then Ether or Akasha. Each of these Five elements has its own character and celestial elements which we will gauge in the following lines.

Earth (Prithvi): One can touch earth and smell it too ! However, there are two types of earth one is Eternal or (nitya) which are in the form of atom (Paramanu).The other type is perishable (anitya) which exists in the form of Karya or Work at animate and inanimate levels. Symbolically speaking our body, sense organs are the earth which as a whole get the shape of Jiva or life but those are perishable. But elements or atoms are eternal as after death may we bury, or burn the body, all the atoms get disintegrated to come back to its original eternal form. So our body and its Karya or Work are perishable as the mountain or rock forms but the atom remains which are eternal.

Water or Jal is the second element which again has two characters as in the Earth i.e. eternal in the shape of atom and Karya (Work) be it as river, pond or sea are perishable. As from sea or river water evaporates to be in the sky as cloud then again in the shape of rain it comes down on earth. So the eternal atom is only changing its karya or shape of work and what we see is the perishable form.From the sense organ perspective we can touch it to feel and taste it as well.

The thrid element is Air or Vayu.Again it has two levels as earth and water i.e.eternal atom and perishable Karya. One can feel air, as we breath in or out.We feel the storm or strong breeze which are temporary but air at atomic level remains around us eternally. In the Purana there is a mention of 49 types of Maruts or winds.Seven are important namely 1. Pravaha 2 Avaha; 3,Udvaha 4. Samvaha; 5 Vivaha; 6 Parvaha and 7.Paravaha. The wind which takes the water from the ocean is called Udvaha.

Fire or Agni is the fourth element of Indian Panchabhuta. Again it has eternal and perishable elements as we have seen above. The essential character of Fire is to generate heat.According to Hindu Mythology, Agni is one of the Eight guardians who guards our universe and is known as Asta- dik-palakas (Asta-eight, dik--Zone,Palaka-Guardian). The Fire is posited in the South East of the Universe.

However, in Indian mythology there are mentions of various types of fires. The four important ones are fire of the earth, fire of the sky, fire of the stomach (can mean hunger and digestive power as well) and the fire we commonly use.

Then comes the last of the Panchabhuta or five elements which is sound or ether. Ether is unique as it has only one character i.e. eternal. Ether is the carrier of sound be it man made or otherwise. One can hear it. As ether is the only eternal element of the five elements it attracted the attention of various sages. The concept of Akashvani or Devine sound which is heard by sages of higher order is related to this Ether or Akasha.The primordial mantra AUM then in modern times Raam or Shyaam are to work as linkages between Jivatma(life force--atman or soul) to Paramatman or (Omnipotent of supreme soul).The concept of sound and Mantra will be discussed in the next issue. Now we should concentrate on elements, other than five mentioned above which are very important to Hindu theological perspective. Those are Time(Kala) and Space (Sthan or Dik i.e. place and direction); Soul and Mind.

Like ether Time and Space are eternal. Time or kala is common cause of all actions of all the elements and is eternal link of predetermined actions and happenings. Thus in Hindu astrologly the whole world and its course are equated with "time". The Direction or Dik are part of Space and North, South, West and East are eternal no matter the Universe undergoes whatever changes.

Then the other element is Soul which is related with the knowledge system of man as jivatman and the eternal Knowledge of God or Paramatman(omnipotent).The last of the nine main elements is the manas or Mind. Its the sense-organ or path to experience the world eternally and otherwise. These sense organs are in the shape of eternal paramanu or atom and works is combinations to derive pleasure at worldly levels. These are the brief out line of main five elements and other four primary elements. It is said that our universe was created out of the manifestation of five elements. This was described in the Devigita very elaborately.

Devigita proclaims that Shakti went about creating the world with 24 tattvas or elements. The five elements were born out of the primordial principle of unmanifested Sakti.The ether through which sound traverse was first element, which is also known as Sabda-rupa (form of sound). Second was Air or Vayu (Sparsharupa or a form which is felt) The Air or Vayu give rise to Agni so it called Vayoranih. Then sense of taste or ‘rasrupa’ the water element came. The the gandharupa or the source of smell came--the earth.

Pauranic Expert Vettam Mani said that the universe remained in embryo form or in the bijarupa. "These Panchabhutas{five elements} were first divided into two (each was divided into two). Then by a process of the combination of these ten parts different substances were born....Each half of each of these five bhutas{elements} is again subdivided into four parts. These 1/8 parts are joined to the other halves and by combining them in other fractions of the material bodies(sthulasariras of all beings are made." wrote Vettam Mani.

The cosmic body is the grand total of those material bodies discussed above. The first and pure manifestation of those five elements are the inner conscience and bodily organs like ear etc. However, the inner conscience or Antarkaranas assumes four state or forms. Once conception and doubt arise it is called Mind. But when there is no doubt arises is called Buddhi. The process of examination and re-examination of a subjects belongs to the state of intellect called citta. But with the feeling of "I" the ego or ahamkar bursts out. So we find the pure five elements gave rise to the inner conscience or Antarkarnana and then there are four states within it namely mind, buddhi, citta and ego.

Vettam Mani explained "From the coarse (rajasic) aspect of the five sense organs originate the five organs of action like word, foot, hand, excretory and the genital organ, and also the five pranas (breaths) called prana, apana, samana, udhana and vyana.

....Prana is located in the heart, apana in the anus, samana in the nabhi (navel)udana in the throat and Vyana all over the body.....(Organs of knowldege 5, of action 5, and pranas 5,and buddhi 1,mind 1, the bodly is composes of these 17 factors".

The sukshmasaria or the subtle body has two nature or Prakrati namely maya wherein the god is reflected. The other is Avidya seen by Jiva or living being who is receptable of sorrows. Through Vidya(Eternal Knowldege) and Avidya (ignorance) three forms of body emerge. Mani explained ‘He who is attached and is proud about the material body is called visva; he who attaches importance to the subtle bodly is called Taijisva, and who is aware of casual body is called Prajna.’ Likewise we see how the five elements manifested itself into 22 tattva (materials) which all go towards creation of a body. In the Devigita it is said that eighty-four lakh species of living beings have manifested from these five elements.....5 elements

 Interesting, although it might help if a different term was used, like essence  instead of element.  Other cultures believed in 5 classical elements (ancient Greece, China), though in the western world the idea of quintessence gradually fell out of favor in the late Middle Ages, toward a more modern understanding of matter and space.  In any case, thanks for the reply!

Yes, essence is good, yet I would relate that term to the subtle aspects of the body and being. Like the "eternal" as expressed in that Dr's article. I like to hear about the Hindu philosophy, due to it being more about connectedness and a way of life. It makes so much more sense to me, when every aspect of our lives comes down to the essence of the these elements which comprise the universe, and it can create so much more clarity and self-awareness.

Whatever!

I have contributed plenty here, and that is what you have gone into avoidance about. All you have done is refute and play devil's advocate, because I called you out on your phony pseudo-intellectualism.  Not used to that are you? You are not doing yourself or anyone else any big favors in the long run.

I don't do pride if I can help it, that is another of your own personal projections of denial, because you thrive on pride and ego and demand that others respect you and pat you on the back for being a pretentious fop. Typical, pompous ass phony academic who really knows jack squat, apart from the sopholistic rhetorical knowledge amassed by memory retention and getting all caught up in the physical matter and ego notion of body and self. Gees, I'm really impressed! Nice going fool!

Yes, you do appear as a dodo, due to your dismissal. The "idea" of the Classical Elements, is what comprises EVERYTHING and still does. The ark has nothing to do with it, or better said, they were what created the ark. Matter is impermanent and constantly changing, and only looking for meaning in what is perceived as tangible or tactile in this world and universe is very limiting, very constricting and also ignorant.

If you are still, you are performing the action of stillness. Doing nothing, is doing something. Everything operates on action and there is no escaping this. Every action reaps consequence and that is about then taking responsibility. Even thought is an action.    

Well I'm sure that Dr. Gautam Chatterjee  wouldn't be impressed about the same passive ad-hominen you directed at him, or I doubt he would even care. Yes, you are still the dodo and your responses are regrettable, because you don't appear to grasp the simple concept of action and consequence which consumes our lives.  If you feel that what forms the whole fabric of the universe and creation of our human existence is dead science, then perhaps you are dead inside yourself. You have been influenced by your own ego mind and intellect, and just like the image in your avatar, are allowing yourself to be a puppet.

Who's meaning anyway? Yours, mine, the postmans? Everything has all the meaning it needs just as it stands, without any preconceived notions or personal judgements placed on it, which is what we tend to do most often as humans. Things are what they are, and ultimately, any other labels, tags, associations, attachments, condemnations  etc, we place on things IS meaningless. To use Chatterjee's term, "perishable".

You also contradict yourself by commenting there is no logical reason why "meaning" can't be extracted from something, then make a bold arrogant claim yourself that existence is mortal and then that millions are reaching for meaning to life. What does this even imply? Perhaps you need more clarity here.

There is no separateness from anything and it is all whole and one and complete. Even many that believe in an afterlife and a separate notion of God, appear like they are at least coming into some understanding of a greater force at play. The only thing is, they don't grasp—and it appears like you don't either—they are the greater force and power. Not a drop in the ocean, but the whole ocean so to speak, or not just a star, but the whole cosmos. How does one expect to take any responsibility for their "actions" in life, if it all just about the mortal physical self? People will just do what they want to otherwise—which is what most appear to do anyway—and think they can get away with it. Look at the state of flux most of the world is in, and all due to not acting appropriately and accordingly to our purpose here on earth.   

I don't quite get what you mean about the "truth". The truth about what? That when our physicals die, that's it! Like many posters on this thread, who are caught up in their pseudo-superior head space of knowledge, when they are only misguided and have misplaced notions about their being. Where is the "wisdom" behind all this, which does lead to the truth. I have commented countless times on this post, that "purpose" and "contribution" is the reason why we are here. There are karmic debts to pay and without being too harsh on ourselves that is how the universe operates. When one becomes aware of this, how is that being nihilistic? If anything, it is about taking "responsibility" and being awake.

I think you need to explain what your notion of non-action is, since AGAIN, it is ALL action. How can something be non-action, when that is what drives and motivates us. Even if one is sitting still and deep into mediation, and letting the physical world drop by and not moving or thinking, they are still performing an action.  

You are attempting to refute my points by being a dodo and playing devil's advocate and evading the essence of what I have given you. Am I supposed to give you credence for your own limited and circular rhetoric, when your aren't telling me anything, and I couldn't care less about what you have to say about my ad-hominens. Perhaps you need to hear them.  You appear to want to impress on how much knowledge you possess and are too much of a cynic to make any headway with me. Doesn't that make your life appear miserable at times?

You and many others on this thread haven't told me a blind thing about the nature of the universe or understanding of what it is really all about.  All I see is how obstinate and totally in denial you are becoming. Yes, please buy into aggrandisement about your being, for that is my whole point. Not your ego mindset, but your conscious awareness. Do you see yourself as just a wilting flower, or a majestic field of all the beauty and astonishment nature has to behold. At the risk of constantly repeating myself and sounding like a scratchy record, argue for your limitations, then you can keep them. 


Isn't that what I was also implying? Meaning can be varied and abstract for each and everyone of us, and at the end of the day, the genuine and whole essence is found within, without the ego notion of the minds confounded and vengeful meanings to gain control.

Oh, and it is all physics and science, even the perishable and eternal aspects of the elements. After all, it DOES come down the elements that encompass everything and the actions they transcribe too. That is your eternal conSCIENCEness awareness. Believe in whatever you want, you are after all the master creator of your own universe. Take onus for this and all that surrounds your being.  
 

As I thought, you are just playing games and stringing words together to make roundabout, incohesive sentences that are not grounded in anything that is supported by anything other than what you have been brainwashed and conditioned to believe.  Yes, science is important, just not when it's taught by egotistical, pseudo-intellectual and unconnected beings who think it is just about matter and space only. You will have to go so much deeper, if you are to get the gist about the action and essence of the elements and how they DO go right back to formation of the Universe and our being as we know it, not to mention our consciousness which IS eternal. Perhaps though, you may find this a bit confronting, as you may not like what you find. All the best, inferior physical, caught up in ones own conceit being.