Akash is the first of the five elements. It is the most subtle and is the essence of emptiness. It is often referred as space. And it is in this space that the other elements fill. Its qualities are different to the other elements. It is cold, because it lacks warmth created by fire. It is light because it lacks the heaviness created by earth and water. It is immobile because it lacks the propulsive nature of air. It is subtle because it lacks the profound presence of the more obvious elements. It is omnipresent and it is everywhere. It is a part of all the elements. Within any aspect of creation, ether may be found. It is without form, boundaries and limits.

Ether creates space for the other elements, the formation of the embryo and it is ether that is responsible for allowing change and growth to take place. That which is most subtle and difficult to perceive is the function of ether. When the mind becomes easily disturbed, ether represents the substratum upon which thoughts and emotions ride like waves upon the ocean.

An undisturbed mind is a sattvic state and is considered an expression of ether. Now we look at space in the context of our relationships. It is important to be grounded and therefore one must not be possessive, demanding and jealous. How is it possible to be in a state where one gives space to each other? Not to crowd each other. This therefore means that attachment is not to be clingy but detached. The Buddha says that loving detachment is vital.

Khalil Gibran said,

Let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of heaven dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, even as strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with same music.

We need to understand that once we let go of our thoughts we become sattvic and thus we create ether in our togetherness.

Aim Hrim Klim