Question: In one of my recent Yatra Garden tours we were presenting, a new seeker asked us a question. I am hoping someone in this group can provide an answer or give some guidance on this.
This seeker is a generic Yoga practitioner. Per her Yoga knowledge, the yogic progression happens with the seeker traveling from grosser natural elements to subtler elements. This means one starts the journey with Earth element, followed by Water, Fire, Air and then Ether(Space) in this sequence. Whereas our Yatra in Heartfulness follows a different sequence. Earth, Ether(Space), Fire, Water and Air. Why this difference when compared to traditional Yogic sequence? What is the significance of this modified sequence?
Wherever you read mastery over something please understand it as this layavastha (complete mergence in to that state) according heartfulness. Mastery over the points(earth,ether, fire,water,air) also mean the same. Babuji in his description clearly mentioned the sthithi's or conditions which are invoked at each of these points. Each of these conditions are the essence of these five elements at their seed form(bija). These elements are the primordial(vibhutis) to the manifested universe.
Another aspect we need to understand is all 5 elements are present at each point but only one element predominates.
Example
Knot-1 - earth( predominant) , ether, fire,water, air
Knot-2 - earth, ether( predominant) , fire,water, air
I agree there is an order in the subtlety, but the spiritual anatomy dictates the 2nd point(Knot2) to be located at the ride side of the heart, and the characteristics are that of ether element. Hence the progression also happens in that order.
To attempt the answer to this question logically, EARTH is the base element but ETHER is the one connects(binds) all elements. After gaining layavastha over the first element EARTH, the base element it makes sense to master ETHER as all other elements are unstable in character to have a better samyama(holding together), the next one to master is ether. Hence the order you see in heartfulness.
In Pathanjali yoga sutra there is no mention of the oder other than in Chapter 3- Vibhuti Pada vers 3:45 through meditation one gains master over the five elements. But there was no order specified. Even in heartfulness we just practice meditation and its natural to gain mastery over the five elements. Its just that the journey is more clarified in heartfulness.
In bhagavad gita Chapter 7 - Verse 4 Lord Krishna mentioned about the five elements but did not give any references to the order of mastering.
Ch7 - v4 - Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, egoism; these are My eightfold prakṛti.
In Ravana Samhita Bhuuta Siddhi (bija mantra) a detailed practice is mentioned on how to purify and unite in Bhrahman. In the order referred in the question. But this is more of a Tantra shastra, they adopted the methods mostly to acquire powers and effect produced is not conducive to spiritual upliftment, neither gives stability to the mind.
Bija Mantra: Lam Vam Ram Yam Ham
Lam (muladhara -earth),Vam ( Svatisthana - water), Ram (Manipura-Fire), Yam (Anahata - Air), Ham (Visuddhi- Either).
Note that the colors of the each element described is different from how heartfulness attributes colors to each element.
See the details in the reference provided below.
Ref#1
sthūla svarūpasūkṣma anvayārtha vattvasaṃyamādbhūtajayaḥ .. 3.45..
3.45 Meditative integration (samyama) on the relationship between the physical, the generic nature, the subtle, the inherent qualities and the purpose of any element results in mastery over the constitutive elements of all natural phenomena.
Commentary on Sri Patanjali Yogasutra by Swami Vivekananda
By making Samyama on the gross and fine forms of the elements, their essential traits, the inherence of the Gunas in them and on their contributing to the experience of the soul, comes mastery of the elements.The Yogi makes Samyama on the elements, first on the gross, and then on the finer states. This Samyama is taken up more by a sect of the Buddhists. They take a lump of clay and make Samyama on that, and gradually they begin to see the fine materials of which it is composed, and when they have known all the fine materials in it, they get power over that element. So with all the elements. The Yogi can conquer them all.
According to Tantras, Bhuuta-suddhi is that ritual through which five physical elements of the body become purified and unite in the ceaseless Brahma. The Sadhaka should meditate upon the Kundalini Sakti as lo-cated in the Maladhara Chakra, thin like a lotus fibre and shining like lightning. This Kundalini should be awakened from the Muladhara and brought through Susumna (passing on way through the Svadhist hana and Maniparaka chakras) to the Anahata chakra located in the Heart. The Jiva in the form of a wick of a lamp situated here should be meditated as taken into the mouth and, piercing the Viguddha and Ajria cakras, has been led to the Sahasrara cakra, located in the Bralunarandhra, which is the house of Supreme soul. The Sadhaka should, with the Hathsa -mantra, merge Kundalini along with the Indi-vidual soul into the Superlative soul.
Then, from the sole of the feet to Brahma-randhra, he should meditate the five Elements with, their colours, forms and Bija-man-tras. Its method is as follows
1. Yellow in colour, square in shape and having Bhu-bija (Lam) is the Earth Element which should be meditate from the sole of the feet to the knees.
2. White in colour, semi-circular in shape, marked with two lo-tuses and with Jala (water) bija (Vam) is the Water Element, which should be meditate upon from knees to navel.
3. Triangular in shape, with Svastika, of red colour and with Agni-bija (Ram) is the Fire Element, which should be meditate from navel to heart.
4. Round in shape, with six Bindus (dots), of smoky colour and with Vayu (Air) bija (VAM) is the Air Element, which should be meditate from heart to the middle of eye brows.
5. Spherical in shape, crystal clear, eye-catching in in colour and with Akasa (Sky) bija (Ham) is the Sky Element, which should be meditate from the middle of the eyebrows to the Brahmarandhra.