gaia

When you ‘ground’ an appliance, you provide a continuous pathway so that the electrical current can return to the Earth.

When you ‘ground’ yourself, you are also providing this pathway of connection to the Earth, a stable, calming effect so that you are not continuously ‘shocked‘: an acceptance that the Earth will provide what you need, when you need it.

We are more than just our physical body, but yet at the same time, we must start at our body fulfilling its earthly, survival needs: roof over our head, clothes on our back, food on our table. And then there are the ‘first world problems’ such as paying our rent or mortgage, upgrading our Iphone and finding the money to pay for our kids sports or band or clothing needs.

And just when you think you have a handle on those things, you turn on the news or read your newsfeeds and are hit in the face with just how fragile all of this seems. Not only how many people in this world do not have the former, but also all of the forces in the world ready to take away these things from us: different cultures, terrorists, disease.

Our body goes into Fight or Flight mode.

Especially in the current times, all of the changes and chaos can get overwhelming.

It becomes even more important to ‘ground’ yourself recognizing your body for the ‘vehicle’ that it is, treating it with love and care, feeding it well, providing rest and trusting that your survival needs will be taken care of.

For just as in Christian religion, Jesus tells us:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”

This is not to say not to work hard, this is saying the Earth will Provide.   What you need, when you need it.

Let Her.

A conscious, silent walk through nature.
Sitting on a riverbank watching the water flow.
A hike in a canyon.

All of these are fantastic ways to ground yourself in nature.

Here is another:  a short meditation that I did for grounding based on the new age concept of Chakras.*

The year of the Wood Horse is in full swing.   Giddy up and hold on tight!  Just remember to take care of those saddle sores as well.

MP 4 Drop box version that you can download here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ps8nxbewep4aeob/Grounding%20New%20Moon%20Virgo%202014.mp4?dl=0

*The new age concept of Chakras is first mentioned in the Vedas, the oldest written tradition in India, (1,500 – 500 B.C.) recorded from oral tradition by upper caste Brahmins. Their name derives from the Sanskrit word for “wheel” or “turning”, but in the yogic context a better translation of the word is ‘vortex or whirlpool’.

There are many chakras, and they vary amongst different teachings, but usually it is said that there are seven main ones, some say corresponding to the main nerve ganglia emanating from the spinal column.

Opening or balancing these different chakras represents peace, celestial order and balance and is a successive process beginning with the first – the Earth or Root Chakra.

The first chakra, also known as the base chakra or root chakra, is located at the base of the spine and is defined as the chakra that governs one’s understanding of the physical dimension. It is the grounding chakra—that is, it grounds one in the Earth, it puts both feet on the ground, it is pragmatic, ultrarealistic, the “survival” chakra responsible for our balance and our attitudes toward fight or flight. It is therefore the chakra that externalizes as the adrenal gland, and it also governs the functioning of the kidneys and the spinal column. It is esoterically perceived as red. It is referred to as the survival chakra because it is through this center that we feel fear or anger when threatened.

The meditation is adapted from Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith Ph.D