Buddhist non-duality does not end with the body and mind. The teaching of Dependent origination also implies the non-duality of life and its environment. Buddhism recognizes that body, mind, and environment are not separate entities, but are all interconnected parts of the dynamic flow of causes and conditions. This interdependence of life and its supporting environment has been a basic principle of Buddhism from the very beginning. Just as Shakyamuni Buddha taught that one should be mindful of the body, he also taught that one should reflect on the elements that make up the body. As in most of the ancient world, the Buddha taught that these elements consist of earth, air, fire, and water. In fact, it is fairly easy to recognize our dependence upon these four elements, which are usually thought of as nonliving matter. For instance, could we live without food, which is derived from the soil? Could we live without air to breath, water to drink, or the warmth of the sun? Even a simple reflection upon the way our body is composed of these four basic elements should be enough to make us realize that we are nothing without the environment of which we are a part.