Have you felt confused, all-over-the place, not present in your own life, not safe and held within your body, disassociated from your body, or struggling to connect to those around you? If you have answered yes to any of these then there is a good chance that you will benefit from the practice of grounding. I say that grounding is a practice because it is not a once-off cure or solution, it needs to become integrated into one’s everyday life, to really reap the rewards and heal. I am sure you have heard people talk about ‘staying grounded’ or the technique of grounding, but what does that really mean? Grounding is being wholly connected to the Earth, in your body, in your present moment with balanced lower chakras (especially the Earth Star and base chakra), and in radical acceptance of what is. It is one of the foundational practices of living a conscious existence and staying embodied.
Grounding is important for ourselves and others in this 3D world to exist in a meaningful and connected way. When we start on our spiritual path we often are so enamored and swept away, that the physical reality can take a back seat and sometimes even become resented. Balance is key here; to fly, we need deep roots.
Being grounded is a connection to your physical existence. Firmly rooting us back into taking on this human experience and being balanced between one’s higher self and the spiritual world. The practice creates the foundation for your spiritual development. Grounding keeps us relatable, and often people who start evolving or going through a spiritual awakening, tend to get lost in the ether for a while. This practice helps us bring down and integrate our newfound wisdom. It helps us to not deny our physical existence, and to become an active members in it, living our best life.
I am a firm believer that no matter how deep one’s spiritual practices or how advanced one’s techniques for healing are, there are some foundational practices that when overlooked, can set one further back. I have recently had an experience where the universe re-taught me just this. After 17 years in corporate, I decided that following my purpose is more important to me than the career I had built to date. It was an intense letting go and restarting process, thank goodness my innate wisdom decided that in order to support myself through this process, I needed Yoga. Yoga has always helped me be present in my body and maintain balance. I just knew I needed something to support myself during this challenging period and create the space within me, and on my mat that allowed for the needed change and transformation that I called in.
During the first day of the Yoga Teacher’s Training, we did a 3.5-hour root chakra practice. The purge that I experienced was unexpected and eye-opening. I realized how unbalanced this area was at this point. My entire body started involuntarily shaking for almost 24 hours. My monthly cycle began within a few hours of the practice, 10 days after my previous cycle had ended, which had never happened in 37 years. I cried for what felt like that entire day, sometimes with no identifiable emotion attached to the tears. I realized that I needed to really stay grounded on the Earth and in my body, with full and radical acceptance of where I am, to have a sturdy base to take off from.
There are many benefits of this practice namely:
*A healthy physical body
*Feeling safe and secure within one’s body
*Being able to integrate spiritual teachings into the real world
*Being present in one’s life
*A delicious physical experience
*A clear mind
*Emotional balance, allowing emotions to be felt and then to pass through, not getting stuck in the body and creating blockages
Here are some ways to ground:
*Walking in nature
*Placing your bare feet on the Earth or in the ocean for 10 minutes daily
*Yoga or any physical exercise that focuses on the legs
*Visualising a grounding cord growing into the Earth, from the base of your spine
*Visualising roots growing from your feet into the Earth
*Balancing your root chakra with the vibration of the colour Red
*Meditation that is focused on your gravitational pull on the Earth
Stay grounded and blessed!
Phillippa and The Gem Team