The Mystery of the Godai

Each of us is a being of temporal and spiritual components. That is, we exist as both a body and a soul. In this brief teaching I want to focus on the body and the elements of which it is comprised. Why? Because these elements connect us to the universe and each other, and each of them holds important spiritual lessons for us. In the spiritual traditions of Japan there exists an important concept known as the Godai, a Japanese word signifying Five Elements. These elements are:

EARTH

AIR

WATER

  FIRE

EMPTINESS

Everything in the universe is comprised of the first four of these elements. Your body is a composite of each of them, and when your Soul leaves it, the body will decay and return to the soil. Your body relies on these elements, requiring air and water to live, both of which exist within your body. Likewise, your body produces heat, which is an effect of fire. ‘But what of emptiness?’, you might ask. The Western mind doesn’t readily grasp the meaning of emptiness as it is understood in the spiritual traditions of the East. We tend to think of an absence of matter or anything substantive. However, what is actually meant by emptiness is creative potential. Creativity is one of the energies of the Soul, and as such, when we speak of emptiness, we are speaking of the Soul. As already noted, when the Soul is no longer present in the body, there is no creative potential. The life-giving energy is no longer present, and so the material body begins to break down, returning to the earth from which it sprang.

It is also important to immerse oneself in each of the first four elements, as doing so leads to healthy mind and body, and helps alleviate stress while giving us the space to bring our priorities back in harmony with our spiritual lives. Getting enough sunshine can help alleviate depression, for example. Drinking enough water helps us avoid dehydration and taking a swim or just dipping our feet in a lake are healthy and meditative. Eating natural foods, you’ve grown from the earth yourself, or taking a walk through a forest or quiet garden are, again, healthy and relieve stress. And sitting around a campfire, smelling that familiar scent of logs burning as you roast marshmallows with the children is meditative and gives you wonderful memories to share with friends and family. You are intimately connected to nature as your body is a product of these elements. The constant existence in the “concrete jungle” of cities is often bad for body, mind and spirit, so get out there and immerse yourself in your natural home.

Spiritual Psychology

There are still deeper considerations with regard to these Godai. They can help the spiritual adept in building strengths and overcoming weaknesses, since each of these elements is connected to personality traits and psychological states. This is where spirituality meets psychology. These elemental characteristics are both of a positive and negative nature, reflecting the Dualistic nature of the entirety of existence. Study the Godai carefully and be honest with yourself as you do so, recognizing both the positive and negative aspects of your own personality and behavior, and then begin the work of adjusting to more accurately reflect the positive, spiritually beneficial traits. Let’s take a look.

• Earth-The positive earth personality traits are stability, confidence, and reliability. The negative traits are stubbornness, narcissism, cockiness and pushiness.

• Air-The positive wind personality traits are benevolence, compassion and wisdom. The negative personality traits are lack of will, easily manipulated and evasiveness.

• Fire-The positive fire personality traits are passion, drive and joy. The negative traits are excessive aggression, anger, violence, and lack of self-control.

• Water-The positive water personality traits are flexibility, give and take and careful consideration. The negative personality traits are defensiveness, lack of decisive action, and lack of balance in give and take.

Undoubtedly, if you are like most people, you will see a bit of yourself in each of the elements, which is to be expected. You can clearly see how the positive traits are balanced, while the negative traits lack balance and lead to suffering.

The fifth element is the ultimate key to a healthy psychology and personality. If we are consistent in keeping our focus on the care of the Soul (Void/Emptiness/Creative Potential), this will lead to the other four elements aligning in the positive much more easily. The element of Creative Potential, guided by spiritual principles always helps to bring balance to our lives. As Meishu-sama taught:

“Creation results from acting in accord with the Way (Tao), and destruction results from deviating from it.”

The Tao is balance and harmony in nature and humanity. Therefore, pursue the Way in mind, body and spirit.

It is important to discuss how the Godai reveal the Five Character Flaws we all face as well. That is, such negative emotions and mindsets as envy, neediness, ignorance, anger and egotism. With proper psycho-spiritual training these can be overcome, and, in the process, you can develop the Five Wisdom Principles. 

Water-In the water mindset, when you feel hatred rising within you, it is best to show yourself patience. Don’t become frustrated with yourself, but rather calmly notice the thoughts and emotions and let them go. In this way, mindfulness can gain clarity and depth. (Mindfulness is the first Wisdom Principle)

Fire-In the fire mindset, when unnecessary or disordered desire rises to the surface, you respond with compassion. Again, don’t attack yourself, but compassionately recognize the desire and redirect it. Transform desire into focus on that which contributes to the highest good. (Seeking the Highest Good -Love- is the second Wisdom Principle)

Earth-In the earth mindset, when egotism and pride rear its ugly head, recognize it with stability and make the effort to redirect it to an open-minded attitude. Focus the thoughts on the equality of all Souls and recognize the inherent divinity in all. (Recognizing the value of all is the third Wisdom Principle)

Wind-In the wind mindset, when you see envy developing, respond with a firm commitment to discipline yourself to achieve what contributes to the highest good. Understanding purpose and discipline, rather than envy, will lead to that which you seek. (Purpose & Discipline are the fourth Wisdom Principle)

Void-In the void mindset, when ignorance emerges, redirect your thoughts and energies to knowledge and comprehension. Look deeper into the perennial truths that lead to realization. Don’t be content with the comfort of ignorance but transform it into diligent pursuit of Reality. (Pursuing Truth is the fifth Wisdom Principle)