The Five Elements as a Path to Wellbeing 

& The Path of the Flames of Primordial Wisdom

There have been two paths of practices that have been meaningful to me in my personal path of healing and transformation. The five elements as a path to wellbeing followed by the path of the flames of primordial wisdom. The latter path builds upon the foundations of the first. Each are developmental models of many teachings and practices that all build upon the next, leading to healing, wellbeing, and even realization of our natural state. 

The five elements (space, earth, water, fire, and air) are the essential for all phenomena, not only in the physical universe but also in our physical and energetic bodies. Each element represents not only a physical form but an energetic quality as well. Each element needs, supports, and affects the other elements together providing a cohesive whole within an individual being. When the five elements are out of balance, illness, negative emotions and disharmony manifest.

Interbeing with the natural elements is a process of connecting with the external elements and internalizing their qualities. Doing this ultimately leads to connection with the essence of the elements which, in the Bon tradition, is considered part of the soul. At this level, connecting is healing. The internalization of elemental energies helps us to cultivate positive qualities and eliminate negative ones.

The positive aspect of fire is the capacity to create, to initiate projects on every level, and to accomplish what creativity sets in motion. Intuition is related to fire as is enthusiasm and excitement. Balanced fire results in inspired undertakings, happiness with work, and accomplishment. Fire is related to a bliss and joy of enthusiasm and bliss in the body, and the joy of waking experiences. The higher experience of fire is the bliss of being. Its highest expression is the development of the wisdom of discrimination.

For those looking to deepen their practice there is the second path, the Flames of Primordial Wisdom. Tummo, meaning “inner fire” is a breathing practice central to tantra practice and very helpful for dzogchen practitioners in achieving enlightenment. Tummo is a practice which clears the negative emotions of this life and the karmic traces of past lives. It increases physical health and mental wellbeing.  Many people have reported improvements in heart and lung health as well as  increased concentration and greater memory retention.  The overall result is a calm and peaceful mind.

Tummo helps to be healthy and also happy, but this is not the ultimate purpose. The ultimate purpose of tummo is to realize the bliss and emptiness – natural state of mind – in union. When you experience and realize this, that is the ultimate tummo state.

My intention with these two paths is to practice the five elements and tummo not as a singular meditative practice or breathing exercise, but to practice it step by step as it was taught to me as a developmental model and full path containing many teachings and practices worthy of a lifetime of practice. Starting with basic mindfulness practice, to energetic practices of the body and breath, to visualization practices that heal, transform, and lead to the realization of the nature of mind, there are doorways to realization all along the path.