Dearest Friends,

It was a pleasure to be in your gracious company again in our last gathering.

In our last session, we moved to the fifth exercise listed under the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta’s section on mindfulness of the body, which involves reflecting on its four constituent elements (dhātu‑manasikāra). These elements and the qualities they symbolize are as follows:

• Earth (Paṭhavī‑dhātu): The earth element represents solidity. It encompasses bones, flesh, skin—the body’s structure.
• Water (āpo-dhātu): The water element represents cohesion. It includes blood, saliva, tears—the body’s fluids.
• Fire (Tejo‑dhātu): The fire element represents heat. It symbolizes digestion, metabolism, warmth—the body’s energy.
• Air (Vāyo‑dhātu): The air element represents motion. It covers breath, circulation, movement—the body’s vitality.

By reflecting on the body as a temporary and dynamic conglomeration of the elements of earth, water, fire and air, we begin to see its impersonal, fragile and composite nature. Instead of relating to it as “me, my and mine,” we begin to see it as a process sustained by nature, made of the same elements and forces that make up all other beings…and constantly shifting in response to changing conditions.

SUGGESTED PRACTICE:

Sit quietly and attend to your breath with your gaze lowered or your eyes closed. Then with a sense of gentle interest and warm curiosity, reflect on the four elements that constitute the body:

1. Contemplate Earth: Feel the weight of the body. Be present to bones, flesh, skin. Recognize solidity.
2. Contemplate Water: Be aware of blood, saliva, sweat. Recognize fluidity.
3. Contemplate Fire: Feel the body’s warmth. Be aware of digestion and metabolism. Recognize heat.
4. Contemplate Air: Attend to the breath. Notice the subtle movements it causes in the body. Recognize motion.

To end this meditation, rest in an awareness of the body as a temporary and ever-shifting combination of these four elements. Then cultivate a felt sense of gratitude for how this composite and fragile body has served you as a vehicle of awakening.  

RECOMMENDED POEM:

Lynn Ungar’s Boundaries

REFLECTION PROMPTS:

1. How does seeing the body as an assemblage of natural elements and forces change your sense of ownership over it?
2. Did this practice evoke a felt connection with the natural world?
3. How might remembering the body as earth, water, fire and air shift your relationship to health, aging and identity?