The Four Elements This practice dates back over 2,
500 years and provides a different lens through which you can examine the body.
Because this practice may feel awkward at first,
Try to take some extra time with it.
Give yourself space to drop in and deeply investigate these elements in your body.
Try to bring an open mind and see what you can learn about yourself.
Remember that mindfulness is about seeing clearly,
And looking at things from a new perspective can often bring that clarity.
Settle into a relaxed position.
Close your eyes and bring your awareness to the places in the body where you experience contact,
Such as the feet on the chair,
Your hands in your lap,
Your body sitting on the chair or cushion.
Begin with the element of Earth,
Or solid form.
Without thinking too hard about what this means,
Openly examine where and how you can feel solidity.
This may be the structure of your skeleton,
The chair you are sitting on,
Any places of tension in the body,
Or the weight of your muscles as they relax.
Don't rush through these sensations or try to force them.
When you feel the Earth element in the body,
Stay with it for a few deep breaths.
Continue this seeking,
Recognizing and feeling for a few breaths.
Switch to the element of air or wind.
An obvious place to start is in the form of the body breathing.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
You may look for places in the body where you can feel empty space.
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Shift your awareness to the water element.
Tune in to any sense of liquidity that you can feel.
This may be moisture in the eyes,
Saliva in your mouth,
Or sweat on the body.
Or you can feel the flexibility of your muscles,
The flow of your breath in and out,
Or even the pulsing of your blood.
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Next,
Bring your attention to heat or fire in the body.
This element is open to interpretation,
So look for yourself to see what you notice.
Perhaps it's the temperature of the air touching your skin,
Or certain spots on the body that are warmer or cooler than others.
Watch for any experience of temperature,
Either externally or internally.
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
Switch to the element of air or wind.
Where can you feel the air of the breath?
To wrap up this practice,
Spend a few moments in awareness of the body as a whole.
As you breathe,
Feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
Breathe in and out as you feel the four elements working together to support and fuel your body.
