retrofuturist wrote:Highlights consciousness as an element separate and distinct from the four material elements of earth, water, fire and air.
What do you think about it?
Dear Retro,
If you want my opinion, I do not see how you have arrived at your view.
Whilst the Buddha has listed many kinds of elements, they are still mutually dependent.
For example, the Buddha lists the sensuality element. It is difficult to imagine a sensuality element independent of physical elements given the natural purpose of the sensuality element is to promote reproduction & the enjoyment of eating.
The Buddha was concerned with the cessation of dukkha. To regard all things as merely elements rather than 'self' ends dukkha.
However, the meta-physics of mental & physical elements, I do not recall the Buddha discussing.
For example, through meditation, I have come to regard defilement, which is a mental element, as something connected to the wind element.
Defilement is like a bad wind or evil spirit.
You are a father. A new born baby has all sorts of wind issues, which cause its mind to become upset. However, one simply burps a baby or using massage unties the knots of wind in its stomach. The baby's mind then becomes happy.
Because a baby has little mental volition, it is easy to manipulate its mind or mood through physical massage that control its wind element.
Similary, when a person reaches puberty, suddenly their mind has different kinds of emotions and defilements.
Thus, in my opinion, to seperate the various elements is difficult.
Kind regards,
Element