Don’t you love it when you get that feeling you’re able to do anything? Not the megalomaniac kind. Just knowing our pure potential and ability to create anything we desire at any given moment.
Well this delightful, exhilarating and creative feeling is the realm of Space.
Of the five elements, space is subtlest and closest to the unmanifest. Before we move into consciousness, understanding the subtle power of space makes our mind space more palpable and the unmanifest accessible.
We’ve gone from solid to subtle in the last 4 months. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space. The five elements make up our world. They’re the substance of soul, mind and body. Different ways Self expresses its infinite possible diversity of existence.
A balanced space element is when we express ourselves freely and with ease. We’re great listeners and know the art of telling stories. That exhilarating feeling of communicating with clarity and conviction. Our ability to speak our feelings, thoughts, ideas and visions.
Space in our physical body is found within ears, tongue, all channels, and the cavities of throat, chest and pelvis.
Space, Element of Pure Potential & Creativity
Sound, like space, is the subtlest of manifestation and most powerful. In Greek philosophy Logos, or Word, is the divine principle that permeates the universe. “In the beginning, there was the word. And the word was with God. And the Word was God,” “When there were no depths, I was brought forth,” Genesis, all resound the concept of space, sound, creation and manifestation.
Words have the power to persuade. We can’t smell it, Earth, we can’t taste it, Water, or see it, Fire, nor feel it, Air, but we hear it, feel its vibrations in our body’s channels and cavities, moving us from within.
And just as the space element is the most subtle, the organs of space receive and express the subtlest of manifestation best. Music, song, mantra, prayer, poetry, story and any other mediums that conveys our deeper hopes, fears and emotions. Feeling that vibration when something speaks to the very core of our soul. It resonates. It realigns us with our true essence.
That recognition is space at its finest. Our inspiration and spark for creation comes from the space of possibilities. It’s the bridge between in and out, heart and mind. And because space is the element of communication, expression, and creativity, we refine it through our speech, listening and the organs of communication; ears, mouth and throat.
The connecting link between experience and expression of thoughts as well as feelings.
Purpose & Power of Space
Space is the seat of inspiration[i] because it’s also the meeting point of subtle and material, bringing balance and purification through interaction and integration of spiritual with physical.
When our headspace is clear it’s easy to express our visions, dreams, insights, feelings, thoughts, and desires. Articulating these we begin the process of making it real. Through communicating we get feedback from others. This feedback allows us to define, redefine and remix what our real vision and gifts are. We purify our feelings, thoughts and deepest desire, through this constant exchange. We get clarity. And clarity is power. So the space element is an empowering element to manifesting.
Our original Shakti; deepest desire and power, can begin to work its magic when space is clear. Every action, word, thought, and desire of safety, pleasure, and power are initiated by this creative force. An initial wish expressed to come into life as a unique being. It’s ready and waiting for this communication, creation and expression of Self through You.
Space Out of Balance
Ever had the feeling no one listens to you? Or you’re too embarrassed to speak your idea, opinion, or truth, even though you completely disagree with what’s being said? Well that’s deficient space.
Have you been told you’re a terrible listener, or that you talk too much and never let another speak? Excessive space.
Between experience, expectation, expression and the resulting exchange, we relate to others a clue about how and if we’re listening, and how, or if, we are being heard. To transform and be empowered, our voice, ears and throat give us very clear feedback. Our voice leads to our creations. In this process, we purify our experience, expression and communication of self. We learn by listening to the actual exchange and manifested outcomes.
We also refine our other four elements, Air, Fire, Water and Earth, through our ability to communicate.
Balancing Our Mind Space
Mantra
Mantra is the most powerful way to strengthen and clear this element.
The mantra HAM is the seed, Bija mantra for space. Or we can affirm with this our creative and expressive voice, ” I freely express myself with clarity and ease.”
In the Big Bang theory sound is the first form of manifestation. The Vedic equivalent of creation theory is the sound AUM, Om. The first sound when we open our mouth is A, it signifies beginning creation. U, which is the continuation of creation. M, the sound that naturally arises when the lips are closed. Teaching starts with Om to honour the creation process.
Rest is Best
On one of our travels through India with my daughter, we met a Muni, a renunciate who sacrifices the act of speech. Using a piece of slate and chalk to communicate was his only medium for the past 16 years. This might seem crazy in our world, but imagine how much more thoughtful we become when we take the time to write down what we wish to express, before we share anything with another.
When we rest, we give space to that system. And all systems need space to re-establish balance. Restorative yoga rebalances our space element because it allows us the time needed to open up gently, and through calm attentive breathing in the opened areas create space without force or coercion. For example, lying in supine cobbler pose over a bolster, supported by blocks and blankets, gives our belly, heart, chest and hips the chance to open. Creating space releases tension, energy, and any issues in those tissues. It allows us to reconnect to areas that are usually closed and unconscious.
Providing the denser elements freedom, a gap in time to transform and become, a window in space opening doorways to opportunities.
Meditation
Imagine there is absolutely Nothing, only unbounded space and stillness. Within there is a dormant, rich, fullness of all the pure potential of creation. Because these infinite potentialities begin to stir and move, the air element is breathed into existence. As air awakens and begins to shift, rouse and initiate with more velocity, it creates heat. Inspiring the fire element into being. Fire’s light and heat separate from the heavy qualities of cold and wet giving birth to water. Within water, are particles even denser, compact, solid and unmoving. Here and now the Earth element is delivered.
A free guided meditation Mind Like a Mountain Lake.
A journey through the elements is spiritual. Ayurveda is the practice of honouring our body, the body of Mother Earth and all the elements that create, sustain and dissolve us. Yoga practiced together with Ayurveda is the foundation of Tantra. And Tantra honours not just spirit and soul, but our very embodiment.
Profound yet simple.
Beautiful and Powerful.
Honouring both body, mind and soul, in all honesty and transparency re-awakens our creative expression, our soulful communication and our purpose as souls embodied.
With Love,
Shira.
[i] David Frawley – Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses