1.2.6 Materiality
“Form is emptiness and the very emptiness is form; emptiness does not differ from form, form does not differ from emptiness, whatever is emptiness, that is form”
In this chapter, we explore the Buddhist analysis of materiality and its relationship to consciousness. We’ll examine how matter exists as both tangible and intangible phenomena, understanding its dynamic, impermanent nature through the lens of the four great elements and their derivatives. This framework is essential for grasping how material reality interfaces with mind and consciousness, providing crucial insights for the alchemical transformation of experience. While the categorisation may seem technical, each aspect serves to illuminate the true nature of physical existence and its role in spiritual development.
Before we examine the categories of materiality, let us get to grips with exactly what we mean. The material is that part of experience that isn’t mind. Mind and matter differ in one clear way: awareness. All matter is insensate. We can only concern ourselves with matter that we can sense. Matter is all phenomena that can be sensed and taken as a sense or mind object: light, sound, colour, taste, etc.
Some types of matter are sensitive. This is material present in the organs of sight, hearing, taste, smell and distributed over the body as touch. When we sense something, this sensitive matter cannot itself participate in consciousness. Instead, one material phenomenon interacts with another; electrical patterns are read by the mind, which creates a sense object processed by consciousness. We might think our back aches, yet in truth our physical body is insensate — it is our mind that creates the pain experience.
The Four Great Essential Elements
All categories of matter depend on four great essentials: earth, air, water and fire. Each smallest unit of matter includes these four plus colour, taste, smell and nutritive essence. As alchemists we must not imagine literal earth, water, fire, air, but rather:
- Earth → Tangibility (resistance)
- Water → Cohesion (binding)
- Air → Movement (translocation)
- Fire → Entropy (maturation, change)
Earth supports the others physically. Water binds them. Air permits movement or vibration. Fire creates change across time — entropy. Although matter appears stable, on a microscopic level, material groups continuously arise and cease, being replaced by near-identical copies. This continuous cycling is incredibly rapid.
Consciousness cycles even faster — around 17 times faster than material phenomena — so when consciousness perceives an object, it experiences a brief stability, giving the illusion of continuity. Movement itself is illusory: through air (pressure shifts), new groups of matter arise slightly offset, giving appearance of movement — akin to microscopic teleportation rather than true motion.
Illustration: The Melting Ice Example
Consider a block of ice. Each moment, a near-identical copy arises. Yet warmth (fire element) alters each new arising, producing change over time. The ice melts. With stable materials like a diamond, new copies arise nearly identical for long periods, but the underlying process remains the same: constant arising and ceasing.
This is the core insight: objects do not persist — only patterns do.
28 Categories of Matter
Materiality is divided into 28 categories, 18 with intrinsic nature (concretely produced matter), and 10 that are non-concretely produced. This comprehensive framework helps us understand the full landscape of materiality in relation to mind.
| Category | Number | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Great Essential Elements | 4 | Earth, Air, Fire, Water |
| Material Sense Bases | 5 | Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue, Body |
| Sense Phenomena | 4 | Colour, Sound, Smell, Taste |
| Gender Faculties | 2 | Masculine, Feminine |
| Heart Base | 1 | Electromagnetic field |
| Life Faculty | 1 | Life-sustaining processes |
| Nutrient Element | 1 | Growth-supporting matter |
| Non-concrete Matter | 10 | Space, Intimation, etc. |
Further Classification
| Category | Properties | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Elements | Tangibility, cohesion, movement, temperature | Foundation of all matter |
| Sense Bases | Sensitivity to stimuli | Interface with consciousness |
| Abstract Matter | Space, intimation, characteristics | Support material processes |
| Life Faculties | Sustenance, nutrition, gender | Maintain physical existence |
Concrete and Non-Concrete Matter Full Breakdown
| Concretely Produced Matter | Non-concretely Produced Matter |
|---|---|
| Earth (Tangibility) Water (Cohesion) Fire (Maturation) Air (Movement) | Space Element |
| Eye Sensitivity Ear Sensitivity Nose Sensitivity Tongue Sensitivity Body Sensitivity | Bodily Intimation Vocal Intimation |
| Visible Form Sound Smell Taste Tangibility | Lightness Malleability Wieldiness |
| Femininity Masculinity Heart Base Life Faculty Nutrient | Production Continuity Decay Impermanence |
The Characteristics of Matter
The last four groups explain how matter arises, persists, ages and dissolves. These qualities operate together in every material process:
| Type | Function | Manifestation |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Causes arising | Beginning phase |
| Continuity | Maintains presence | Middle phase |
| Decay | Creates aging | Later phase |
| Impermanence | Causes dissolution | Final phase |
All four are constantly present, but their balance shifts over time: production is dominant at first; continuity sustains; decay gradually overtakes; impermanence finally dissolves the form completely.
Closing Reflection
Though these lists seem complex, they serve a simple goal: to accurately model conditioned reality so we can observe it directly. We are not trying to explain every facet of physical science, but rather to create a practical spiritual model. The Abhidhamma supports the alchemical path by revealing how matter interacts with mind and ultimately allows us to transcend identification with either.
“All conditioned things are impermanent — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.”
This text is excerpted from the book Nigredo: A Course in Modern Alchemy. The complete book includes additional study guides, resources, and appendices. View the full book here.