by Chantal Bufe
If you are looking for a way to calm your mind, get centered, and feel more energetic, why not try grounding ? It's easy; it's quick and perfect even for skeptics who will be skeptics no more after trying this technique.
First off, there are numerous physical and mental grounding practices (many of which you have certainly been doing without even knowing) that usually involve our senses. In those moments, we savor the scent of delicious food, listen to the song of a bird or feel the cold between our hands as we watch ice melt. We stop in our tracks - even just for a moment - to become present, regain our balance, and feel a little less tense.
But if it's also the strength and energy you are looking for (I know I am), we need to go a little deeper (pun intended) and remember the power directly beneath our feet: earth energy. You remember from science class: volcanoes, geysers, hot springs - geothermal power! Undoubtedly, there is energy potential inside our Earth, and if we connect to it, we can feel the benefits.
You see, we rarely walk barefoot anymore; we do not sleep on the ground and predominantly work in buildings that reach high into the sky. You could say we are thoroughly disconnected from mother earth.
So here is a simple technique that will allow you to soak up some earth energy, decrease pain and stress, improve your circulation and recharge your batteries. This meditation practice takes approximately 10 minutes, but the more you practice, the better:
find a comfortable seated position
find a point across the room and let your eyes rest
breathe and close your eyes
inhale, and as you exhale, feel the energy in your body
notice your root chakra (the base of your spine)
extend your energy downward from your root chakra like a tree or waterfall deep into the Earth
visualize it going down to the center of the Earth
let the grounding become as wide as your body, rooting you into the Earth
feel the positive energy coming upwards into you as you release unwanted energy down the grounding and into the Earth
allow yourself to hold on to this vital energy for the rest of the day, breathe and open your eyes
And? How did it feel? Revitalizing? Balancing? Weird? Keep practicing, and it will feel more and more natural. And while it is wonderful to invest ten minutes or more in this practice, know that you can ground yourself anytime, anywhere - whenever you feel like you need it: just close your eyes and envision your grounding cord going into the earth.
And did you know that it is also possible to ground other people and places? So far, I have grounded our home, my children on their first day of school, and Congo's Virunga National Park - one of the most dangerous in the world - on the day my friend traveled through it, which worked. You know what they say, energy moves mountains.
If you are interested in learning more about this subject, you can take a look at the following resources:
(Photo: Jared Rice/ Unsplash)