All of us live in this world, but how aware are we of the bounty of nature that constantly nurtures and sustains us? For that, we should spend some time with nature everyday observing the beauty of the trees, flowers, hills, lakes, ocean, sun, moon, stars and sky. This helps us to tune in to the five basic elements that are the building blocks of our body as well as the entire cosmos.
When the Pure Infinite Cosmic Consciousness we call God created the world, it took care of every small detail. This is the reason why Nature gives us all that we need—food, shelter, air, water, fuel et al. Everything that we have and use comes directly or indirectly from Nature. The whole cosmos is working as a well-oiled machine to protect and nurture us all the time. We take this for granted and are exploiting Nature and upsetting the ecological balance because we somehow have acquired the feeling that we are supreme. However, the forces of Nature prove time and again that we are not. Can we live without sunlight, air, food or water? Can we control the movement of the earth, sun, moon, stars and planets? Can we make the sun rise or set whenever we want? Can we produce our own sustenance like plants do and also help to nurture other beings? What can we do when floods, famines and earthquakes happen? Can we create even a small blade of grass without the help of Nature? When we ask ourselves such questions, we remember that far from being supreme, we are totally dependent on Nature for our existence.
A very famous artist once said, “When I am very pleased with one of my paintings and receive worldwide appreciation for it, a complacent sense of my own power and skill fills me. Then I go out into the garden, pick up a leaf, flower or pebble and keep it next to my painting. Even that small natural object is so much more beautiful than my painting and it has a definite purpose to fulfill in the cosmos. I regain a sense of proportion as I realise that in front of Nature which not only creates beauty, but also fills the world with life and purpose, I am but a speck of dust.”
This is the truth. Without the nurturing energy of Nature, we are totally helpless.
So, if we want to harness the power of the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, we must first begin by recognising, respecting and revering them in our immediate surroundings at home. Certain attitudinal changes and simple actions can create an environment where all of them are balanced and the subtle energy field within our house is fully charged with vitality. As soon as we wake up in the morning, we must pray for the welfare of ourselves as well as all beings. We should also include the five basic elements in the prayer by saying, “I offer my gratitude and reverence to the five basic elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether that have created my body and are sustaining me constantly from inside and outside. Let them be energised, activated and balanced within me and in all their activities in the cosmos.”
Having offered our gratitude, we must open all doors and windows of the house saying, “Let natural light, air and ether flow freely purifying and energising the whole house.” This flow of air removes all the residues of carbon dioxide that we have exhaled during the night which would otherwise affect our lungs and skin over a period of time. Stale air also depletes the energy in our five sheaths of consciousness and the beneficial effects of our meditation are completely nullified. The fresh air that is available in urban areas is relatively clean and pure till about seven am. So, recharging the house with clean fresh air, ether and natural light early in the morning is crucial. These help us to be clear, concise and precise in whatever we do during the day and carry ourselves with extreme awareness and confidence. Remember, the best legacy that we could enjoy and leave behind for our future generation is a clean environment filled with awareness and wisdom.
ashram-india: @shrinimishamba.org