Welcome to Elemental Wellbeing – an attempt to answer the unanswerable question, the ultimate question, the question that philosophers, psychologists, gurus and charlatans have argued over since the beginning of everything – “What do I need to have in place in order to experience a good life?”
Or perhaps put more bluntly: – “Just what the hell am I supposed to be doing here anyway?”
There are many reasons it’s never been answered (spoiler alert – we won’t get to a definitive answer here either), but crucially – life is too complex, too short, and values are too subjective for there to be much agreement. When humankind can’t even agree on basic issues such as “which flavour of crisps is the best” then just how the hell are we supposed to agree on “the meaning of life”?
However, amongst all the disagreement, social strife, and warmongering, there do emerge some common themes. Elemental Wellbeing is an attempt to draw these common threads together, into something of a tapestry, and examine what picture emerges. We will look at psychology, philosophy, religion, biology and neuroscience, and hopefully by the end we will have a good idea of a framework within which we can guide ourselves towards growth, peace, joy, and flourishing, and eliminate some common causes of modern life’s most common complaints such as anxiety, and depression.
The framework is as old as our oldest myths and stories – the Four Elements. The idea that reality is somehow comprised of four basic elements (earth, water, air, fire) was the precursor to what we now think of as science, and belongs to a time when there was no distinction between the different knowledge disciplines (science, philosophy, mathematics etc). Although it sounds somewhat kooky by modern standards, it remains stubbornly relevant. For example:
- The four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, summer).
- The four cardinal points on a compass (north, south, east, west).
- The four states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasma).
- The four dimensions (three through space, one through time).
- The four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear force).
The idea of the cosmos being ordered into a group of four…somethings… seems to be as relevant today as it has been for thousands of years.
So what exactly do the four elements represent? Firstly we must accept that they are symbols, not signs. A sign represents some concrete meaning (such as a speed limit sign), whereas a symbol contains many different meanings, all somehow collectively linked under some unifying concept, value, attitude, or meaning. As such, it is impossible to accurately and comprehensively explain a symbol – but the more you look into it, the more meaning emerges, and the more it makes sense. Some “a-ha!” moment takes place, and the element of Earth means something that you see and experience everywhere all around you, that is different from the other elements. The tangle of life becomes a little less tangled, things begin to arrange in a natural order, and the way forward becomes a little clearer. So let’s take a look at the elements…
The Four Elements
Earth
This relates to the physical world – it is where we find ourselves every waking moment. It is that which roots us somewhere solid, and concrete. It is our body, our environment, the tangible ‘stuff’ that we need to eat, drink, survive, and to thrive. It is money, sex, belongings, and the natural world. It stretches from the personal (my own survival and pleasure) to the collective (feeling grounded when connected with the natural word – touching grass). It relates to Jung’s Sensation Function – everything taken in and experienced by the five senses. Maslow might have linked it to his idea of Physiological Needs.
Water
Water relates to the unconscious, and that which arises from it – emotions, values, and dreams. It tells us little about how the world really is, but how we feel about it. Water has depth and fluidity, it is formless and adaptable. It can be pleasurably warm or dangerously cold. We can float on it or sink into it. It gives life to all living things but can also drown us. If Air is the domain of the known, or the objective world, Water is the domain of the unknown and the subjective – it contains limitless potential, from which arises that which delights, and that which terrifies. It is related to Jung’s Feeling Function – knowledge based on values and emotions. Maslow might have linked it to his idea of Love and Belonging needs.
Air
Air relates to conscious thought – plans, strategies, logical reasoning, and objective truth. It is how we make sense of the world, without actually using our senses. It is how we predict the world will respond to us (if I push this door, it will open) which then gives direction to our actions. Just as a weather-vane aligns with the direction of the wind, when we align with the element of Air we feel aligned with common sense, with academic intelligence, with knowledge and understanding. It relates to Jung’s Thinking Function – the ability to rise above emotion, and see things clearly from a higher perspective. Maslow might have linked it (albeit loosely) to his idea of Esteem Needs.
Fire
If Earth relates to the physical world we are born into, Fire is the opposite – it is the transcendent, the heavens, that which we are pulled toward. It is art, the divine, ultimate meaning and purpose. It is energy and passion. Earth is about ‘stuff’, but Fire is what animates the stuff to make it meaningful. Just as plants orient themselves toward the sun, we are drawn toward something too – a felt sense of passion, growth, and alignment. It relates to Jung’s Intuition Function – that which we know without knowing how we know it. Maslow might have linked it to his idea of Self-Actualisation/Transcendence.
The four elements are present in every aspect of daily life – you always exist in a material world (Earth). You always feel something about that (Water). You always want an idea of what you’re doing and why (Air). This is always happening with a context that is larger than just yourself (Fire). Elemental Wellbeing is about analysing and understanding your current situation, and ensuring your elemental needs are being met. How is your physical health? Do you have a sustainable income? Do you have meaningful relationships? Do you have an idea of where you’re going in life, and tools to get you there? Are you in touch with your unconscious drives, fears, and motivations? Are you feeling connected to something larger than yourself? Does your life have meaning?
We will look at twenty categories, five for each element, that range from the purely personal (just about you) to the collective (where do I fit in). By doing so I hope you will discover your blind-spots – the areas of your life that you are not paying sufficient attention to, and uncover some root causes of whatever distress or dissatisfaction you may be experiencing. Life is hard. Balancing everything that needs to be balanced is like riding a bike – you never achieve balance, you are always balancing – having to make micro-movements this way and that to maintain it. Elemental Wellbeing is a framework, within which we can practice the art of balancing. When we achieve it, everything clicks, we feel aligned, there is a sense of ease, grace and flow. Things spiral upwards instead of pulling us downwards.
So here is the list – it’s not exhaustive, it’s just a guide. Nor is it original – it’s drawn from many other sources, pulled together into something that hopefully feels like a coherent whole. But you should add to it yourself, come up with your own categories – no two human lives are alike – although we are united by some core similarities. This list is my attempt to describe those similarities, those common needs. If you can put a tick next to each one, then you cannot fail to enjoy something like “the good life”.
That’s my proposal to you.
Here’s the list…
Earth
· Family Roots: Exploring the impact of family on your identity.
· Physical Vitality: The Three Pillars of Wellness.
· Secure Shelter: Creating a safe and secure living environment.
· Financial Independence: Achieving freedom from financial stress.
· Connection to Nature: Bonding with the environment to feel grounded.
Water
· Dreams: Engaging with symbols and narratives to uncover hidden truths.
· Integrating your Shadow: Working with the parts of you that have been pushed away.
· Fluid Resilience: Riding life’s waves and adapting to challenges.
· Creative Outlets: Giving form to your inner world.
· Deep Relationships: Connecting authentically with others through trust and intimacy.
Air
· Clarity: Mapping your reality effectively.
· Personal Narrative: Weaving your experiences into a coherent story.
· Skills: Growing your unique abilities to offer something valuable to others.
· Autonomy: Exercising your will to direct your path.
· Your Own True Path: How to find, and walk, a meaningful path.
Fire
· Burning Off Dead Wood: Letting go of what no longer serves you.
· Passionate Play: Pursuits enjoyed just for the sheer joy of it.
· Exposure to Beauty: Encountering harmony that weaves life’s elements together.
· Meaningful Action: Acting in service of something larger than yourself.
· The Blinding Light: Encounter with The Transcendent.
If you’re ready, feel free to start with any category that draws your curiosity. But I would suggest starting with your personal foundations – Family Roots.