Finding Your Center
How have you been holding up these days? I certainly hope you are all thriving, learning, and creating powerfully in this new world. I am weathering the ebb and flow of this transformational age, discovering more facets of self, others, and this existence with each passing moment.
It feels like a life "bootcamp" of sorts. One where the tests appear daily, time matters less than the task, and determination and focus are key. Lessons, ideas, and new information downloads are coming in faster. Muscles I didn't even know I had are strengthening, and sometimes it can be hard to even recognize the evolving self.
Nevertheless, I feel gratitude more deeply than ever, I listen and watch more closely and have realized a greater sense of purpose since the change began. I feel confident that these sharpened senses will come in handy when we re-emerge into society. As we all ascend and expand, it is important to maintain a safe space within our bodies, grounding our thoughts, emotions, and energy.
“Within you, there’s a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at anytime and be yourself.” – Hermann Hesse
Grounding brings you back to the here-and-now and is very helpful in managing the racing mind, overwhelming feelings, or anxiety. Here are some simple ways to ground and access your center daily:
Sit and Relax
Instead of meditating in lotus pose, try sitting upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Allow the feet to be a contact with the neutralizing earth below, and visualize any heavy thoughts of worry or confusion draining from the top of your head all the way down to your feet and into the center of the earth.
With each breath, release more of this energy downwards, visualizing it move through the length of the body into "roots" emerging from your feet. Notice how the arms, legs and feet begin to feel heavy as the "draining" occurs. Allow your body to fully relax into this position and accept the support from the gravitational pull of the earth below.
Take a Walk
Take a walk outside, and pay extra close attention to what your five senses are perceiving. Make a mental note of everything you can see, feel, hear, smell and taste during the walk. How does the air smell? Are birds chirping? Can you spot and identify a specific flower or plant species? How does the ground feel as you take steps? Do you feel safe, free, or lost?
Paying attention to the details of our surroundings and how they affect our physical and emotional bodies is a quick way to access our center and empower ourselves. We become attuned to the subtleties of our own body's responses to external stimuli. We regain a sense of control and ultimate comfort in our own skin.
Hold a Grounding Crystal
Simply holding a grounding crystal in your left hand and focusing on it for a few minutes can be a very powerful centering technique. Employ your senses by inspecting the crystal meticulously. Note the weight of the crystal in your hand, see how the light reflects upon it. Are there any patterns, inclusions, specks or sparkles that stand out to you? Is it cool or warm?
Interacting closely with elemental Earth energy can soothe frayed nerves and create a deep sense of calm. As your body's frequency attempts to attune with the crystal's frequency, you may feel slightly heavier, stronger, or mentally focused. Think in terms of the benefits of using a weighted blanket for anxiety or shock.
My favorite grounding crystals for this practice are Black Tourmaline, Hematite and Smoky Quartz. These are all excellent stones for not only grounding and centering, but also clearing and shielding negative energy.
“There’s a center of quietness within which has to be known and held. If you lose that center, you are in tension and begin to fall apart.” – Joseph Campbell
When you’re centered and properly grounded, there’s no resistance. Everything just is. You are alive, alert, and active. An inner calm prevails. Abiding in the present moment, you act spontaneously with wisdom.
As we continue on our journey of evolution, it is my wish that we become masters of our own energy and utilize the abundance of tools provided to help us along the way. Hopefully these tips help you "get out of your head" and ease back safely into your bodies for strength and endurance in these changing times.
Stay Well,
Maureen