When we are heavily engaged in spiritual practice, staying grounded can be challenging. We can divert a little too much of our energy towards the spiritual plane. We begin disconnecting from our physical reality. We may be floating around on a cloud after a great workshop, or feel particularly blissed out after a long meditation session. This “spiritual high” is wonderful – up to a point. We have to remember that we exist here in the physical plane for good reason. Grounding the energy that arises from spiritual practice assists us in utilizing that energy in a practical way. It also prevents the inevitable “crash and burn” that follows prolonged spiritual highs!

Before we get into tips and techniques on becoming and staying grounded, here are some signs that you may be too disconnected from the physical plane:

  • You feel as if you are walking around in a spacey haze.
  • You are scattered and forgetful.
  • You are having trouble connecting to others. Your attention keeps drifting while you are in conversation. You may forget what you were about to say, or lose track in mid-sentence.
  • You avoid practical, necessary tasks such as paying your bills or doing your taxes.  You feel resentful at having to bother with these mundane matters.
  • You forget to eat or drink.
  • Taking care of your physical body – showering, shaving, putting on make-up and so forth – seems tedious.
  • In the extreme, you feel out of control, as if the practical aspects of your life have suddenly become unmanageable.
  • Meditating is more interesting than a new episode of “Gray’s Anatomy.”  Wait, maybe that’s just me …

Connection to the spiritual plane is a wonderful thing. However, we must not be fooled into thinking that we must lose our connection to our physical existence in order to connect deeply to Spirit. The two are not separate – we must live in both equally!

Becoming and staying grounded is incredibly important if our spiritual evolution is to have an effect on our physical existence. Here are some specific ways you can bring an appropriate amount of your energy back to the physical plane.

  • Work up a sweat. Hard exercise brings your attention back to your physical body. A mere walk will not create the same results. The point is to vigorously engage your body.  It’s hard to ignore your physicality when your heart is pounding and your muscles are aching pleasantly.
  • Spend time in nature. Put your feet on bare rock, or walk on some cool, soft grass. Dig your toes into Mother Earth. Hug a tree. Lie on the ground and soak up some sunlight.
  • Bake bread. There is something about kneading dough by hand – touching earthy grains and the rhythm of working the dough – that is profoundly anchoring. Baking bread is an ancient ritual that connects us to the need for physical nurture.
  • Do some gardening – without gloves on. Touch Mother Earth and get some dirt under your fingernails.
  • Take a pottery class. Nothing is more grounding and centering than throwing clay. If you do professional intuitive work or have a strong meditation practice, this is one of the most balancing hobbies you can take up.
  • If you practice yoga, focus on balancing poses such as Tree Pose. Standing on one leg forces us to become more deeply rooted into the ground.
  • Carry around pieces of hematite or onyx. Both stones have grounding qualities.
  • Drink hibiscus tea. Hibiscus stimulates the lower two chakras.
  • Try rubbing grounding essential oils such as patchouli or cedarwood on your ankles.
  • Wear red or eat red foods. Red is the color of the root chakra.
  • Eat root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, beets, turnips, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. Leafy greens such as kale and dandelion are also very grounding.

Staying grounded in our physical reality by no means hinders our connection to the spiritual plane. By staying balanced within both, we can manifest the results of our spiritual practice more powerfully at the physical level of our lives.

What is your favorite grounding practice? Leave a comment and share!

Blessings,
Andrea

Enjoy this article? Please stumble, digg, or otherwise share, using the icons below:

Tagged with: • •

Filed under: Embrace Your Highest Path and Purpose • Spiritual Development

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!