Senses Meet Elements Meet Opposites
Basic wellness, according to Ayurveda, begins by observing the relationship of three basic concepts: the five senses, the five elements and the 10 pairs of opposites.
The Five Senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling) are so elementary that we often don’t realize how much we are using them every second. To develop a sense of wellbeing, however, the senses need to be integrated more fully into our awareness. This can be as simple as taking a moment to look and smell our food before eating, or noticing whether our skin is dry or nourished. Regularly engaging our senses cultivates body awareness and intuition so that we can better tend to our needs. Our senses, as with our whole bodies, also need maintenance and rest. This being the case, wellness often requires slowing down for self-care and reducing stimuli. (Which is why daily routine is so important!)
The 5 Elements referred to in Ayurveda are space, air, fire, water, and earth. Each element is understood as having different qualities, and can be experienced through our 5 senses.
The 10 Opposites, also known as the 20 Qualities, in Ayurveda are basic but also an essential system used for assessing and balancing our physical needs as well as reading our environment. The 10 Opposites are
Hot/Cool
Heavy/Light
Solid/Liquid
Moist/Dry
Rough/Smooth
Cloudy/Clear
Mobile/Static
Gross/Subtle
Dull/Sharp
Soft/Hard
It should be noted that the Sanskrit word for these opposites gives a richer sense of the meaning, but the above list is an accessible starting point. These specific opposites can be used to describe all living things and the opposites a reference tool used for restoring balance. For example, if a person observes they are cold, they might choose to put on a sweater, sit in the sun, consume a hot beverage, etc. The key concept is understanding that “like increases like” and we “balance with the opposite.”
The three concepts braid together something like this:
We are born with 5 senses.
Through those senses, we perceive the five elements in all living things.
The five elements possess combinations of 20 properties (the 10 Opposites).
Wellness in nature is maintained by balancing the elements at play in us (and sometimes around us) by introducing actions with opposite qualities.
Common sense, right? Wellness is simply a matter of doing this regularly but with awareness. If it is someone’s habit to consume iced beverages, and they observe they tend to run cold, they might stop consuming cold beverages and see if they notice a difference after a week (especially with digestion).
Exercise: Take a moment to reflect on the 10 opposites above. Which qualities are most dominant in your body? For example, do you see patterns of dryness, mobility (high activity), and sharpness? Then list the opposite qualities: Moist, static, soft… What are ways you can invoke these qualities to bring balance to your life? A massage (self-massages are a routine practice in Ayurveda); finding a moment of stillness in a garden or forest bathing; enjoying a bowl of porridge or chai rather than skipping breakfast? Maybe let go of habits that are drying, such as using a hairdryer every day or consuming dry, salty snacks?
If you try this exercise, I would really love to hear what you come up with, and how it resonates with you. The goal of Chispa Park is to introduce this basic thought process to children (and their parents) so that they can make more mindful choices that support their wellbeing in simple, practical ways.
*These concepts are a simple introduction for wellness basics, and are not intended as a treatment or cure for disease. For proper diagnosis and care, please consult with a wellness professional.