You become aware of the objects as well as of yourself. Even if you open up a solid object, you'll still be looking at a new 'exterior'.Ĭoncepts relating to the earth element include solidness, boundaries and impenetrability.Īs you hit the objects belonging to the earth element (either literally or metaphorically as your senses encounter them) you become aware that things exist outside yourself. And since you can't look inside, the interior remains hidden. You're looking at their exterior your senses hit a barrier. You can't move through these objects and if you try to do so, you bump into them. Thus, rocks, stones, the soil, ice, plants, trees, animals, human beings, cars, machines, houses, books, etc. All lifeless and living solid objects in nature and all man-made objects belong to the solid element. The word earth refers to the solid element and includes everything that has a solid shape. You feel the temperature, that is, the cold and the warmth. You feel the movement of the air and see its blue colour. You also see flowing, eddying and standing water. You see solid objects, which are called earth, including the trees, the bridge, the plants, the animals and the people, the bench and the no admittance sign. In the above example, you can distinguish all four elements: earth, water (or liquid), air and fire (or warmth). One of the many ways to observe is that based on the four elements, a classification of nature that was already used by the ancient Greeks. What classification you use depends on the way you observe. You could distinguish between living and lifeless objects, between man-made and natural objects, between plants and animals, between higher and lower plants, between mammals, birds and reptiles, between growing organisms and dying organisms, etc.
The water hits a rock that's lying in it and flows around it, appearing to stand still just behind the rock.Īll of these things and events can be classified in various ways.
Not all of it flows at the same speed: it is faster in the middle of the brook than along the banks.
You get to a bridge and see the water flow. It's nice and warm in the sun, but still slightly cold in the shade. You meet other people, who are walking their dogs. You pass a bench and a sign saying 'No admittance'. You hear the gay songs of all sorts of birds. You notice the yellow dandelion flowers and the tender pink blossoms of wild cherry trees. You see the tree trunks, the various hues of green and the light filtering through the leaves. As you look around you, you see trees, shrubs and herbs.
You smell the fresh perfumes of the awakening greenery. The weather is fine: the sky is blue with the odd cloud, there is a light breeze, everything feels very pleasant. Imagine you're taking a walk in the forest on a day in spring. The last element, Void, acts as the space in the image.De Javascript-functie van uw browser is uitgeschakeld.ĭaardoor kunt u maar beperkt gebruik maken van onze website. Image 3 contains four images of the fundamental elements, with Fire in the top left, Earth in the top right, Wind in the bottom left, and Water in the bottom right. The idea of elements is comparable to ecosystems or ecosystem processes controlled by a primary element. The balance is not permanent and dynamically varies in time. A dynamic balance of the four elements is present in each person. One element is also identified as more contrary to the basic nature of a specific personality type. In addition to the physical aspects of elemental techniques and related movements, human personality types are associated with one primary and one secondary element. The movements and techniques based on these elements were adapted from the natural environment in a way that affords a different perspective on the personal ecosystems of martial artists against the backdrop of Earth’s broader ecosystem. These elements are often referenced through various Martial Arts (normally accompanied by a fifth heading of void). The Four Elements (Earth, Water, Wind, Fire) encompass natural processes observed in Earth’s broader ecosystem.