So today we're going to work on a grounding meditation.
Sometimes this is also known as earthing,
And it's one of the most important things that you can do to support greater well-being and happiness,
And also reduce stress.
Scientific research supports that direct physical contact with electrons on the surface of the Earth impact our physiological and psychological well-being in some pretty remarkable ways.
Some of the benefits that they're finding include better sleep,
Pain reduction,
A stronger immune system,
Faster wound healing,
Less inflammation in the body which can lead to chronic illness,
And it also is linked to heightened creativity and better focus.
So I invite you to get comfortable.
Preferably you'll be outside if possible.
You can either lie down on the grass or at least have your feet firmly planted on the ground if you decide to sit in a chair or stand.
Some people actually like to lean against a tree or sit under a tree.
The important thing is that you find a spot in nature where you can be undisturbed.
Now if you're inside and don't have access to nature,
That's fine.
For today,
You can simply imagine with your eyes closed that you're outside in nature.
And in fact,
We are going to do a visualization so you can call to mind that natural scene.
And with practice,
You'll be able to do this meditation when you are outside without guidance.
So wherever you are,
I invite you to get comfortable either lying down or sitting in a chair.
If you're seated,
You might relax your hands in your lap.
If you're lying down,
Your hands can be out at your side,
Palm up,
Or perhaps resting on your belly.
So if you're comfortable doing so,
Go ahead and close your eyes.
Begin to tune inward,
Inhaling and exhaling through your nose,
Taking relaxed breath,
Not trying to control the breath in any way.
And when you're ready,
I'd like you to imagine that you're standing tall like a tree with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
And just like a tree,
Your feet are rooted into the earth.
And imagine that your feet and your toes are growing limbs and actually reaching and digging into the earth,
Moving downward to secure you to the ground.
Meanwhile,
At the top of your body,
Imagining your arms and your head as if it were spreading outward like branches of a tree.
And just like a tree,
You're rooted.
And so while your branches may sway from side to side,
Your base is stable.
Now for today,
I'd like you to imagine that it's started to rain.
And it's a pleasant rain,
But what's odd is it's not passing around you.
It's actually passing through you.
And allow it to wash through you into the ground.
And as it does so,
It's taking away anything that no longer serves your body.
So imagine it washing through you into the ground and it's taking away any illness,
Any emotional unhappiness,
Any stress,
Allowing it to wash into the earth.
And that energy can be recycled for a better purpose,
But you don't need it.
For some people,
If they have a particular concern,
Be it digestive system or pain in their back or perhaps a discomfort in their neck or head,
You can imagine the rain washing into those areas.
And as you exhale,
Relax,
Release those areas into the earth.
Relaxing your mind,
Relaxing your body.
I'm going to be quiet for a moment.
Just keep this visualization for a few more breaths.
And now I'd like you to imagine that the sun has come out and it's a warm,
Comfortable sun,
Not too hot,
Not too cold.
And it's sending this radiant energy and light and it begins to pour over you,
Passing through the branches,
Down through your spine,
Out down through the roots.
You might imagine that it's coming in through the crown of your head,
Spreading out through your arms and fingertips,
Spreading down your belly and out through your toes.
But this energy is filling your body with everything that it needs,
Whether it be greater self,
Greater well-being,
Whatever it is.
Perhaps it's simply to create more energy for yourself.
Allow that light to warm your entire body.
Go ahead and relax your mind,
Drawing your awareness back to your breath.
Now I'd like you to imagine that the energy that you've taken time to develop,
The roots that you've grown into the earth,
Are reaching down all the way to the core of the earth.
And just like a tree draws nutrients and water and energy from the earth,
Imagine that those roots are pulling in energy,
Drawing it up through the soles of your feet,
Allowing it to pass up your spine all the way out through the crown of your head.
For some people,
It's easier to imagine that energy coming up through the base of the spine,
Flowing freely out through the crown.
And as it does so,
It's creating an opening so there's no blocks in the body.
It's just the energy is flowing freely from the roots out through the crown of the head.
Relax your mind.
Return to your breath,
Noticing the inhalation and exhalation.
And now I'd like you to visualize,
Just like we did with pulling energy from the sun,
Imagine you're pulling energy from the sky through the crown of your head,
Down your spine,
Out through the base of your spine,
Into the ground.
Again,
It's flowing freely.
And if you prefer,
You can imagine it coming through the crown of the head and passing out through your fingertips and out through your feet.
So it's going out through the branches and out through the roots.
Hold that image for a moment.
Energy's coming in through the crown of your head,
Passing down out through the base of your spine,
Or possibly out through your branches or out through the roots.
Relax your mind.
Return to noticing your breath,
Your inhalation and exhalation.
We're going to add one more component to this visualization for today.
I'd like you to imagine that as energy is coming in from the sun in through the crown of your head,
That earth energy is coming in from the roots and the base of your spine.
You're both coming to meet at your heart center.
So energy's coming in through the crown to the heart,
And energy's coming in through the base of your spine,
And it's mixing in the heart.
And as you exhale,
Imagine the energy's flowing out through your fingertips and out through your feet.
Though there's a steady flow of energy coming in,
Breathing into that heart space,
Giving yourself a moment to feel that sense of well-being in the heart.
Exhale that energy out through the branches,
Through the roots.
Don't worry if you can't visualize this perfectly.
Just do the best you can.
Relax your mind.
And take a moment in this space to allow yourself to feel rooted and grounded in the earth while also expanding outward.
So you might notice that at the crown of your head and those arms that have become branches are growing outward up toward the sky,
And your roots out through the feet grow downward to the earth,
All the way to the earth's core.
You are completely rooted in the earth and grounded.
You might notice the weight of your body as you relax and root into the earth,
Feeling completely supported by the earth beneath you.
One more time,
Draw your awareness back to your breath,
Simply noticing the inhalation and exhalation.
And if you're comfortable letting that go,
Relax your mind.
If any thoughts come into your head at this moment,
Acknowledge them,
Turn them into clouds and allow them to float by,
And rest in this space.
When you're ready,
You might wiggle your fingers and toes,
Kind of rock your head from side to side,
Bringing yourself back into the present moment,
Back into the world around you.
And when you're ready,
You can go ahead and open your eyes.
