PANCHTATVA

‘Panchatatva' is a word of Sanskrit origin, where "Panch"means five, and "Tatva" the elements. Everything around us and within us is composed of five basic elements also known as "Panchamahabhutas". These five elements or Tatva’s are Prithvi (Earth), Agni (Fire), Jal (Water), Vayu (Air)andAkash (Sky or Space).

Earth is about 2/3 of water, and the same is true for human body. Sense organs simply gather the information but it's the "Mind or Mana" that process the information and leads to our perception. Mind brings reality to the body or the physical world. Truly speaking body doesn’t exist without mind. Mind shifts between the senses, and the time frame present past and future and this is only possible with its fluidity thus Mind is considered as water element.Remember "Brain is not Mind".

The Solidity of the earth with its gravity is what keeps us grounded. We perceive everything around us and within us in a physical form. Solid Liquid Gas, in some shape form or a structure. If we are not able to identify five physical attributes of this Universe, which are Sound, Touch, Sight, Taste, and Smell also know as "Tanmatra's" with our sense organs Ears, Skin, Eyes, Tongue, and Nose then we use our imagination and create an image.Weexist in this world as our physical bodies.

No matter what is out there in the physical world. It needs to be perceived for its existence. To do light and energy is needed both outside and within us. Fire provides both externally as light and internally as "intelligence or Buddhi". Which streamlines the constant flux of thoughts also known as mind into logical information bringing true awareness to the present. It is the intelligence or fire makes the mind aware by guiding it in the right direction.

Air is vital to life. The Body is alive as long as we breathe. Without life the body mind and intelligence have no meaning. However being truly alive means being Aware. It's Awareness that infuses life in the Body, Mind, and Intelligence. Without air there is no fire, similarly without Awareness there is no intelligence to guide Mind and the Body. Thus Awareness is Air element.The material world (matter) is condensed Energy made of Awareness, Intelligence, Mind, and Body.

Just like sky is the vast open space that accommodates everything, all existence comes into "Being due to Consciousness". Consciousness is Unconditional Awareness (without any form). Independent of and Undisturbed by Awareness, Intelligence, Mind, and Body, which on the other hand cannot function or exist without Consciousness. The Awareness, intelligence, Mind, and Body can be experienced, but not the Consciousness, because it is the experience itself.