Ayurvedically, the ether element is empty space; it is the void allowing the other four elements a time and place to exist, expand, and dissipate. The Vedic Age is long over, however, and we now know that there is no truly empty space.
The ether is a sea of energy, teeming with spirits, thoughts, dreams, emotions, and other forces that can be felt but not seen without the aid of the third-eye. The ether is where the collective unconscious resides, and the human mind is very capable of clearly seeing everything in the ether. Perceptual defenses develop over time that protect our brains from seeing everything that we could see, filtering out things that we could not rationalize or fully understand. The subliminal mind, however, is capable of seeing all things, at all times, in both the ether and material world. By extension, everyone essentially knows EVERYTHING. We are all omniscient, divine creatures of light who are inherently clairvoyant (clear-seeing).
During adolescence, our pineal gland (the physical third-eye) partially calcifies. The calcite crystals then become little transmitters of energy, capable of being a medium through which the individual sees and communicates with the ether. Living in touch with the ether in a meaningful way affords us a more comprehensive, authentic view of reality. Moving through the third-eye gate (via meditation, divination, etc.) is an exercise in freedom, as it allows us to break through boundaries of the material world and challenge the persistent inner mantra; if we don't see it, it's not there.
During a studio yoga-practice, the closest most of us come to the ether is savasana. Even seasoned practitioners, however, spend their five-minute savasana time enjoying a tired body, processing the practice, or, on our less-enlightened days, thinking about post-class to-do lists. Living in touch with the ether means being open to the sea of energy off-the-mat.
Light, movement, and other traits of the material world are grounding; necessary but grounding. Darkness and stillness facilitate the ether-connection, but most of us need longer than the post-practice five minutes.
The sea of energy that surrounds us is vast and eternal, far more enduring than the material reality with which most of us maintain a constant connection. Yoga creates a channel through which the ether and the other elements can co-exist, a living practice of transcending the ego and moving toward a more authentic, cohesive reality.
