What is grounding or being grounded mean?
Being grounded, to me, means feeling at home here on planet Earth regardless of where you are or who you are with. It means feeling safe, at ease, having the ability to move and speak freely and generally being well physically, mentally and emotionally. If I am taking a walk in the forest, I embrace the smell of the dirt and the magic of the cobwebs across my path. I feel curious about the plant life, am in reverence of the opportunity to experience wildlife and I move slowly with presence and respect. If I'm in the city, I look up (often), I appreciate the natural beautification done by shop owners or the city . . . I like the puddles, smile and talk with the homeless and do a lot of exhaling.
Signs that you could use some grounding:
• You feel rushed and busy, scattered, overwhelmed and possibly on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
• You live for Fridays.
• You are prone to tripping (even over nothing), drop things and find it challenging to navigate your space.
• You often feel cold or cold in your extremities.
• You sleep poorly.
• Fatigue is your norm.
• Stress is beginning to manifest in a number of physical ways perhaps on your skin or in your joints.
• You'd rather not go outdoors.
• Going for a walk in the forest is creepy.
• You feel spaced out.
• You feel "above" certain things (you don't see your own faults, weaknesses or patterns).
• You feel over-sensitive to energy (technology, crowds of people, music).
• You drive way too fast.
Ways to connect with the Earth, feel more centred and grounded:
The bottom line is somehow, someway connect with the Earth. Find your roots! Follow your hippie daughter to a gathering!
• Take off your shoes.
• Go barefoot outdoors in a garden, forest or at the beach.
• Connect with nature - sure, hug or touch a tree.
• Put your hands in the dirt; plant something.
• Take a pottery class or make some playdough. (It's not dirt, but you can imagine it is!)
• Stretch, move, dance.
• Take a gentle yoga class.
• Meditate.
• Use crystals.
Crystals, Stones and Grounding
Let me start by saying that you can find some great rocks at the beach or in the mountains, you don't need to visit a metaphysical shop or attend a gem show. Nature has a way of creating amazing treasures right where we live. If however, you'd like to experiment with crystals and rocks found at a gem shop, here are some of the ones I have enjoyed working with for the purpose of settling, grounding or coming down from wherever I have been.
For the purposes of this blog, I am not concerned with the scientific definitions of rock, stone or crystal.
My go to favs are: Shiva Lingam, Septarian and Shungite! Not your usual list, I am aware, but they work efficiently for me. When I hold a Shiva Lingam it's like taking a big exhale. I am grounded in a matter of seconds. I can feel its deep, ancient connection to this planet, the wisdom of the ages (and the sages) and its perfect balance of HA and THA (sun and moon). When I hold Septarian I feel like a time-travelling Indiana Jones who is full of curiosity and wonder. It's a completely different experience from the Shiva Lingam, and equally calming and grounding. If the reason for the grounding includes transmuting negative energy of toxic people or a toxic environment, then I'll reach for Shungite and tap into its Precambrian wisdom.
If my intention is to journey or bring in a bit of magic, then I'll go for Smoky Quartz. Imagine you are the shaman connected through a long lineage of healers. Meditating with Smoky Quartz feels like taking a stroll through Atlantis, Lemuria or an unknown civilization where the frequency of life is always healing.
Rocks I want to meditate with but are not yet in my collection: K2, Kambaba Jasper and Tiger Iron. Why am I attracted to working with these three? Many journeys have taken me to the Himalayas where I've experienced a connection with the energy of Shiva, hence the K2. Kambaba Jasper feels a bit like Septarian, or I imagine it does. That cool, fascinating blend of colours and minerals swirling in circular patterns. Tiger Iron is a beautiful blend of Tiger Eye, Red Jasper and Hematite. For me, Hematite is a bit strong, too much of a pull to meditate with - it's almost distracting at times. Red Jasper doesn't do much for me but it does lessen the pull of the Hematite. Tiger Eye I wear all the time and its frequency quickly harmonizes. So I imagine the combination of these three has a unique vibration and would support a wonderful grounding meditation.
How to bring crystals or rocks into your meditation practice?
Whether you listen to journeying music, a guided recording or are able to sit quietly with no sound, holding or wearing crystals can definitely shift the frequency of your experience. Assuming that you have cleared, charged and placed intention into the rocks already, all you need to do is either hold them, wear them or stick them in a pocket or your bra. Once you have settled, harmonized your breath, then bring awareness to the rocks for a few moments (it may be easier to hold them at first and it may keep you from falling asleep). You may feel their energy or the effects of their energy. Stay with them for a few breaths and then allow the meditation to take its natural course.
As you are returning, before you open your eyes be aware of how you are feeling and anything you experienced. Then gently open your eyes, take a moment to externalize and then reach for your journal and a pen.
Here are some journal prompts:
• Were you aware of the crystals? of their energy? effects?
• How did your experience feel different from using no crystals or different crystals? • If you left your experience quickly because the crystals were too intense, describe how you felt, what made you want to leave the experience?
Ground with an oracle card!
Sometimes it is difficult to put into words what happened, what you felt or experienced. In advance of your meditation, you could place a deck of oracle cards nearby and draw one before or after you do a bit of journaling. It may help to summarize your experience. Of course you could draw one before you settle in, but I like to allow the meditation to take its own course.
Oracle decks that feel grounding: Whispers of Lord Ganesha by Angela Hartfield, Earth Power by Stacey DeMarco, Soul Trees by Allyson Williams-Yee, Earth Magic by Steven Farmer, Mystical Shaman by Colette Baron-Reid or Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert. If you need other suggestions, please contact me.
Ready to go deeper?
Connecting to ajña (third-eye) chakra and muladhara (root) through a series of yogic practices will shift your experience to a new level. I recommend starting with a 45-minute private, which we can do via Skype or FaceTime, then we'll go from there.
I am not dispensing medical advice here. I am sharing from personal experience how crystals have helped me to feel so much better. I honestly believe that any condition can be eased to some degree by grounding practices. Please look after yourself and your loved ones and seek medical advice when needed. I am here when you are ready to try something different.
Naturally, I prefer to see clients and students in person, and I do work by phone, Skype or FaceTime. I look forward to hearing from you.
Namaste and stay well, Sadhana
Integrative Healing with Sadhana offers instruction and guidance as a full healing package or you can choose individual practices such as Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Space Clearing or Intuitive Readings in Gibsons BC. ​Either way, you will be met exactly where you are at and together, we will adapt practices to fit your individual needs improving your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
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