The following is a bit of a book I am writing about Empathy. It is copy written material. All rights are reserved. I hope those new to meditation find it helpful.

Grounding

Grounding is a very simple spiritual exercise. Its purpose is to create a subtle connection between your own body and the magnetism and spiritual essence of the Earth. Let’s talk about what “subtle connection” means and how this is beneficial…

The word “subtle” is used here to refer to the unseen, and nevertheless visceral, spiritual energies of the body, mind, heart, soul and spirit. Each aspect of the self has unique qualities that are easily perceived, though I think most of us take these perceptions for granted. For example, consider how your body feels when the circulation has been temporarily restricted in one area. There is a sense of absence, not just absence of sensation, as if soul is not present in the body part. This same sense of physical absence is common with the paralyzed. This is an example of physical subtle energy.

We can also easily perceive the sensations of having the full attention of someone and then those sensations disappearing when that attention moves on. No words need pass between the two people for us to sense that regard. It is simply there and we know for sure we’ve been under someone’s regard even if our back is turned. That’s what the subtle energy of the mind is like.

There is no doubt when the profound compassion in the heart of another is extended to us without condition. We feel it. It feels like something warm has encompassed our whole being and caressed the poison from our heart. There is no doubt of it. We don’t even have to see that person to know its truth…else why could we read a letter full of the heart of someone and know it beyond doubt? When that compassion is extended to us, it feels like sunshine on the skin of our hearts…there’s really no other way to put it.

It is a rare thing that a person has never met or been near someone with great spiritual presence. There is an air of comfort, calm, peace and confidence about that person that’s unmistakable. One gets a sense that this person is a repository for great power… I often feel an urge to follow that person so that I can be in hearing if s/he says something profound…or in hopes of this power rubbing off on me in some way. I often see something deep in their eyes that isn’t normally seen…as if they have or can see something that I cannot.

“Subtle connection”, in this instance, means that the energies of the five parts of self, which were introduced in the needs of the elemental bodies, make a magnetic and electrical connection; again, in this instance, to the land.

Regardless of how you visualize this connection, establishing this subtle connection with the land feeds us much of the nourishing subtle energies that our bodies need. We also need to consume spiritual energies from other sources, but the most important of those subtle connections is with the land. I will go over those other connections later, but the one with the land is the most elementary and the one that keeps our bodies healthy.

Therefore, grounding is really just like plugging in a lamp and letting the current work the magic of keeping the light going. The magnetism and spiritual energies of the Earth feeds our energy systems, especially on a physical level, so that we stay healthy and oriented in the now moment.

There are many unpleasant symptoms associated with not having subtle connection to the Earth’s magnetism. A short list of those symptoms follows. I’m sure that some of these will feel familiar to you. Most people experience subtle disconnection at one point or another in their lives, often at the onset of emotional upset or with illness.

• Feeling “beside yourself”
• Feeling racy, restless, anxious, or unfocused.
• Being accident prone, where no other medical condition, which effects balance or peripheral vision is present.
• Your mouth or your body is running faster than prudence can review before action occurs.
• Confusion/lack of focus.
• Nausea (though this one is often due to dehydration, so remember to drink water).
• Moody or giddy.
• Weak/dizzy/tired after expending efforts at something, though you usually could do it without problem, and there’s no medical condition present.
• Non-diabetic blood sugar imbalances.
• Grouchy/irritable/volatile temper.
• Insomnia and lethargy.
• Forgetfulness.

If this doesn’t seem clear enough for you, perhaps you’ll identify with me about how I experience not feeling grounded. Its very visceral for me. It feels to my belly the same way I feel when I’m standing in chill water, that’s climbing up my thighs….I feel my belly is knotted up and all my energy is lifted up to brace myself against the discomfort I know is coming. I feel tight, withdrawn, a little thirsty for something I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel a little bit fearful and I can’t quite tell why. When I ground again, it feels like the knot loosens in my belly and all of who I am drops back down into the ground to drink of the sustenance that I needed and wasn’t drawing to me….because I was too busy bracing myself for something….

Now, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t grounded every time you feel any of the symptoms on this list. There are a variety of reasons which might cause any of these symptoms, not the least of which are unattended needs, so take care of yourself.

It is also important you remember that there’s a physical sensation with being properly grounded. Each person has their unique experience of feeling grounded, so perform your meditations for a week or two until you are sure of your unique sensations. If the symptoms disappear once you’ve taken care of your needs and you’ve got yourself grounded properly, then you’ll be ready for steps which follow grounding. At this stage though, you’ll need to figure out grounding, so back to the topic at hand.

It’s important to know that visualization is the key to becoming grounded. Following are visualizations, which suit various learning/personality types. Afterward, I will discuss maintaining the focus of grounding, as well as advanced grounding techniques.

Before any meditation, pre-plan your time to avoid interruptions for the duration of the time you’ve set aside for your practice. Turn off the phone ringer, let people know to leave you alone, avoid things that distract you. Settle in comfortably and take a few deep slow even breaths to calm your mind.

Tree Visualization

This visualization tends to suit people who view their lives primarily in an emotional manner. Those who tend to learn through kinesthetic experience and those who find it easy to focus their thoughts and to visualize.

Breath in through the nose and out through the nose; gently and evenly. Mentally travel inward and toward the base of your spine or the soles of your feet. Imagine that the energy or light inside your body extends from there and down into the ground. Push down into the ground toward the center of the earth, where there is liquid life. Stick your “roots” into the flowing life of the earth and begin to drink the fluid in, drawing it up your roots into your feet. Continue to pull the energy up through your legs, torso and arms, using your breath to do so. Fill your neck and head with the energy of the Earth, using the breath to direct it, breathing in and out the nose. When you feel full, allow the energy to flow out the top of your head and back to the Earth. Inhale through your roots the living, fluid breath of the Earth and exhale what you no longer need, allowing it flow down the outside of your body and back to the land. Breathe steady and gently for a time. When you feel ready, stop the breath practice and let yourself relax with the sensations of being connected to the land.

© Shannee Green 2007