Ayurveda teaches us that there are 4 main components to life- the mind, the body, the senses, and the soul. Because of this, in order to have a healthy life, we must give equal importance and attention to all of these areas. It also teaches that everything in the Universe, from the Macrocosm outside of us to the Microcosm within us is comprised of the 5 natural elements; ether, air, fire water and earth.

 

Ether is empty formless space or the Consciousness principle- this element is infinite and yet is the stable container for pure consciousness. This stable container of thoughtless consciousness holds the space and allows for the movement of thought, which creates air. So within ether becomes air, air creates friction and becomes fire, fire burns and then liquifies into water, and water solidifies to create earth. The elements are the building blocks of our understanding of Ayurveda. Another set of tools the Science gives us is the concept of the 20 gunas, or 10 pairs of opposite qualities. The idea is that like increases like, and opposites balance. Knowing the nature of the 20 gunas is one of the simplest yet most important concepts.