4 element vs.

5 element initiatory systems

October 23, 2011 in Elemental Magic, General | Tags: Eric Yudelove, Go-dai, Go-gyo, Mantak Chia,Ninjitsu, Ninpo
Mikkyo, Taoism, The Emperor, The Hierophant

4 Votes

In the Bardon system it is pretty clear that the much of the first initiation is the mastery of the
four elements: fire, air, water, earth. For the sake of clarity, lets this a four element system even
though it is implicit that mastery of the Akasha as a fifth or first element, if you like, is also
integral to the process. Although somewhat more veiled than Bardon according to the symbolism
of the system it would seem likely that four elements mastery must also be an important part of
Indian, Tibetan, Japanese and many other initiatic traditions.
And what of the apparently different approach of Chinese and Taoist systems apparently having
evolved entirely differently from four element systems that contain the notion of five elements,
fire, earth, metal, water and wood? How are we to understand the differences, is there a direct
correlation or mapping between the two?
My first consideration of these differences started from a viewpoint put forward byEric Yudelove in
his book, The Tao and the Art of Internal Alchemy. Eric is a long time direct student of Mantak
Chia and and also a practitioner of the Bardon system. He suggests that the differences can be
accounted for by analysis of the different properties of the air element and that we should view
metal and wood as two poles, if you like, of air. Air being the mediating element between fire and
water, must contain properties from both elements, for example heat or cold, or wetness or
dryness. Under this thinking, metal is the dry, cool pole of air, whereas wood is the warm, moist
part.
While initially this answer seems to be at least, simple and conceptually satisfying, the theory
didnt seem to fully answer questions about the practical differences (from my own limited view at
least) between the basic techniques of the two paradigms. Why for example, is direct accumulation
of universal five element energy not a large part of Taoism, in the way that accumulation of
universal four element energy is important in Bardon? What would be the Bardon interpretation of
the seemingly complex cycles of creation and control?
The answer came to me as in what appears to be one of the few systems that integrates both
views: certain schools of the Japanese art of Ninjitsu. Ninjitsu lore holds that the esoteric
teachings of the fighting art come from the Himalayan Ninpo Mikkyo tantric teachings. The four
(plus Akasha) element philosophy Go Dai is termed the five elemental manifestations, whereas
the five element philosophy Go Gyo is termed the five elemental transformations.
The differentiation between static and dynamic seems key in explaining some of the differences in
philosophy. The concept of the Yin-yang symbol at the centre of the Pa-kua symbolises the view
that every absolute contains within itself the root of its opposite, a transformation that can and
will occur over time, as nothing except the absolute or Tao is unchanging. Unbalanced mercy or
charity can prevent a individual from learning important lessons necessary for further
improvement, for example, whereas oppressive force and dominion and the harsh circumstances
these entail can stir the virtues of courage, bravery and hope in opposition.