Centering and Grounding

We all are rushing through this world without stopping, always doing, hardly ever just being.  As a result, we get stressed, our mind goes a hundred miles an hour and your body tenses up. Symptoms of stress impact today’s society everywhere we go. On top of the social stressors, spiritual people, indigos, energy healers, psychics, lightworkers and empaths are experiencing the influx of new energies as the vibrations of the Universe and Earth are shifting. My favorite quote is “The shift has hit the fan”, referring the shift in consciousness and vibrations happening right now. When was the last time you actually paused, without thinking about the past or the future but just were in the moment?

Talking to many of my friends and being a member in several indigo and spiritual groups, I see often the question come up about what to do to feel balanced and centered again. Here are some of the things that have helped me over the years and I have collected from others. Read through it and try what works best for you. Not everything listed works for everyone as we are all different.

The Power of Nature

Nature has a calming effect on the mind. Most agree on that.

Hiking or walking brings the attention away from the wandering mind as we focus on every step, as each foot touches the ground. We bring our attention to the surrounding sights and sounds of nature, be it the creaking trees, singing birds, or other animals crackling through the leaves in the woods; or the sounds and sights of waves lapping against the shore when you are walking along a beach at the ocean or a lake.

I have had some profound experiences lying on a field and just feeling the earth beneath me. When I first came to Vermont, I felt very much like a transplant. But during a walk with some friends in spring, when we harvested leeks in the woods, I finally was able to feel like I had set my roots – by sticking my fingers into the moist forest ground and harvest my dinner. Suddenly I felt I was home, grounded.

Not all of us have access to nature. But there are parks in the cities where you can sit under a tree or walk. You may also have the opportunity to do some gardening work or have a garden (working with the earth is very grounding!).

Those limited in their ability to move about easily may feel discouraged and sad but I can tell you that there are wonderful posters of nature as well as dvds and guided audiobook visualizations available that can have just the same results of grounding. When my grandfather had a stroke and could no longer move or talk, I brought him a picture of a path in the woods and hung it over his bed, as he used to be an avid hiker. He had tears in his eyes when he looked at it. I knew he could get lost in this image. I myself liked to look at beautiful garden books when I was in the hospital. A friend of mine is in a wheelchair and she loves to watch meditative dvds with nature themes as well as using the guided audiobooks.

• Walk barefoot if you can in nature, feel the ground with every millimeter of the sole of your foot.

• Hug a tree! It is amazing how grounding this can feel. Connect with the strength of the tree trunk, following the energy of the tree down to its roots.

 

• Sit under a tree and lean against its strong trunk.

• If you can, climb an old tree and sit on one of its strong branches.

Visualization and Meditation

One of my favorite grounding visualizations is imagining you have roots growing out of your feet right deep down into the earth, deeper and deeper. Some extend this visualization by extending it out of their crown chakra on top of the head, by imagining a ray of light connecting them to the Universe. So light ray on top of the head, roots out of feet.

Many people use breathing exercises for grounding and centering. We often take deep breaths to just release some of the tension within us. I myself do this or mindful breathing – see technique below, or skip if you are not interested.

Mindfulness meditation – breathing exercise

As you sit here and read this, you are breathing, from moment to moment without even paying attention to it. The body breathes automatically. The breath, the inhalation and exhalation of air, is a wonderful tool you carry with you everywhere you go. You can use it to come back to the present moment and finding your center again. 

Here is a meditation technique used in the mindfulness practice

Find a quiet place and sit comfortably  and as erect as you can, like a helium balloon is attached to the crown of your head and gently pulling you up to help you to keep your spine straightened.

Close your eyes and sit comfortably. Take a moment to arrive in the here and now. Check in within yourself and what is going on within you. Be gentle to yourself. Bring your attention to the physical sensation of your body, and just notice. I suggest you move your attention from one to the next body part after about two breaths. 

Starting at your head, your face, your neck, throat, shoulders and arms, chest, back and belly pelvis and legs, feet.  Notice any sensation without judgment. You may decide to release some of tension by gently breathing into the tense areas.

As best as you can, bring your attention to the sensation of breathing. Take a moment to just observe your breath. Feel as the air enters your nostrils, how your chest and then your belly rises as you inhale and how the belly and chest fall again as you exhale. Let go of controlling your breath, just let the breath happen by itself, the body knows how to breathe. Watch it how it happens from moment to moment, with spacious awareness, meaning being a witness without trying to change or control it.

The breath is your present moment anchor point. Soon your mind will start to wander, but don’t worry, that is part of the exercise process. As you notice, your mind is thinking, you just gently let go, jump off that train of thought and bring your attention back to your breath as best as you can. You are training the mind, which is like a muscle. Over time, you will get better. Do not judge yourself about thinking too much or not doing it right, this meditation practice is like a cycle. Just be, accept that where you are right now is where you are supposed to be in your practice. 

Other Centering and Grounding options

•   Eat something. I once was very spacey and just walking did not get me back grounded. I decided to eat something which then brought me back to my physical awareness. Eating your meal mindfully is very powerful, meaning no distraction through reading, watching tv or doing something else, but bringing your full attention to what you are eating. Be aware how you bring the food to your mouth, chew slowly, notice how the texture and flavor changes as you masticate your food.

• Listen to music. Whatever calms you down, metal or classic, meditative or pop.

• Making music or singing.

• Put salt in your shoes. Someone in a group suggested that.

•  Do some housework, mindfully.

If you have anything to add, please feel free to comment on this blog! I never stop learning and appreciate feedback.