the ether element
Ether or space is the elusive fifth element. We rarely consider it, but in its absence, nothing would exist. For this reason it is considered to be the mother of the other 4 elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
Ether is omnipresent, its exists all around us. Ether has a deep resonance with the spiritual dimension within, the timeless now.
In the physical body, ether is present as the space between and around everything. Its all-pervasiveness relates to the nerves and other systems that pervade the entire body. It is related to the space in the joints and the spacious neck cavity. Emotionally, ether is associated with grief and inner yearning for spiritual connection.
Ether bodywork is effective in the case of grief or a disconnection from our spiritual nature. It also works as a general opener allowing space for other energies to start moving and re-balancing themselves in the system. An ether joint-balancing session where the hands are held over the joints is a subtle way to relax and restore a sense of connection and oneness.
Balancing Ether
'"Soul" is not a thing, but a quality or a dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. It has to do with depth, value, relatedness, heart, and personal substance.' - Thomas Moore
Imbalance of ether can occur, as with all the elements. Disconnection from, or total lack of awareness of, the ether element is experienced as soul loss, disconnection from one's own soul, and from the Universal source. This can create a sense of meaninglessness and lack of purpose. Lack of ether is also commonly experienced as feeling crowded out, full up and no space to breathe. This is an experience particular to women since the feminine yin aspect resonates with the deeply spiritual and mysterious ether element. Women are particularly sensitive then to lack of space, especially in today's excessively yang, driven society.
Healthy 'taking of space' nourishes the ether aspect, gives us perspective and helps us to let go of earthly matters and reconnect with the Great Mystery of which we are all a part. People claim space for themselves in different ways. For some, its daily meditation practice and meditation retreats which allow them to withdraw into ether completely. For others, it is simply time alone, a walk in nature where we can sense the presence of the Divine, or some inspirational reading. There are other ways to actively go within through the physical body (even in a group setting), yoga practice, chi kung, and dance are a few. These practices of intentional solitude nourish the soul and help to redress the yin/yang balance in our lives. When we feed the soul, we have time for reflection and appreciation of ourselves and all life.
Excessive ether can manifest as being "spaced out" or totally disconnected and ungrounded. In this state, people may find it difficult to manage everyday life or become fixated on living in a state of blissful union with the Divine. This can also manifest as difficulty grounding and embodying spiritual principles, lack of responsibility for one's actions and delusions of spiritual grandeur.
As long as we are living in this earthy reality, a grounded everyday spirituality is what we are looking for, and it is possible to cultivate this with balanced ether. Balanced ether means that our entire lives are infused with a spirituality which is not held separate and apart from daily living. Our soul shines through all that we are and create in the world. Thomas Moore writes in 'Care of The Soul':
'Tending the things around us and becoming sensitive to the importance of home, daily schedule, and maybe even the clothes we wear, are ways of caring for the soul.'
Ether and the Other Elements
Ether has a unique relationship with the other elements, since it is the space out of which all things manifest. Its healthy functioning then, allows space for the other elements to exist and interact with each other. It has a special relationship with earth, its polar opposite. Ether and earth exist closely in the body - the skeletal bones are earth, the spaces between these bones are ether. The neck is the positive earth pole and the space in the neck cavity is ether. Ether also pervades the entire system, space surrounds every cell and organ in the body. This "allowing" creates space in an emotional sense too, its only when we take space that we make room for thoughts and feelings to come up, giving us deeper insight and awareness of ourselves.Ether and the Senses
Ether is connected to sound and hearing. Sound resonates deep within, certain sounds can upset or alarm, while music has the power to move us, touching that timeless place of inner beauty. Making sound by using the voice to chant and sing, or speak our truth will connect us with ether. Communication may come through writing, painting, or some other art form - these are all expressions of ether. Ether then brings us to truth. A balanced relationship with ether gives us a clear, harmonious throat centre through which we both sense and speak our truth.The ability to listen to another, really actively listen and hear the other person, is another quality of balanced ether. If we truly listen we can sense the other deeply. Only in this way can we make deep and meaningful connections.
Because ether holds the potential for all the other elements, we feed ether through savouring all of the senses (Ether - sound, Air - taste, Water - touch, Earth - smell, Fire - sight). The appreciation of beauty also feeds ether. The natural beauty and wonder of the earth is a perfect reflection of the beauty of source energy from which the earth is created. The beauty of our souls and beauty we see all around us, are one and the same, since they all arise from the same source. The beauty of the natural world, a beautiful work of art, or any beautiful item will appeal since it is the innate value and spirit of that form that we are sensing.
