Online: The Five Elements

By considering the natural symbolism of the phenomenal world, we can learn to understand the qualities of the elements that constitute our physical, emotional, and psychological situation. According to Dzogchen, the five elements earth, water, fire, air and space are understood as the quality of our sensory perceptions and of the sense fields.

As human beings, we perceive in the style of the elements and communicate accordingly with our environment. As practitioners, we become aware of our elementary qualities and learn to allow space for them to relax into their natural state.

Ngakma Déwang and Naljorpa Traktung will describe the five elements from the Dzogchen point of view that makes our distorted perception patterns transparent. These teachings are not for people without strong feelings, but for those who want to experience their emotional ups and downs as an opportunity to be fully alive.

“We are open to realisation – just as we are. There is nothing to change before we begin. However we are is where we begin – but not to change how we are, simply to release how we are into the dimension of actively appreciative empathy.”
Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen