Lesson 3 - Grounding

[~Elise~]

all right--here it is--Grounding.

Alright then...grounding...what does it mean? Getting grounded? Ground=Earth. Duh, you say?

Well, getting grounded by defination means connecting with the Earth's energy. But is is difficult to talk about grounding without centering, they are very connected.

Grounding helps us to detach from upsetting emotional reactions. by shifting our focus away from ourselves, grounding helps us to control the feelings associated with threat. Thus we can take measured action rather than react impulsively. To ground yourself, pay attention to some aspect of your physical environment: picture the shape, size, and color of near by objects; focus on the smells and the sounds you perceive; or describe what your body touches.

Attend to your breathing: When stressed, our breathing is usually flat, short, and labored. Our breath goes into our upper chests or shoulders. This type of breathing increases tension. Instead, breathe into your stomach at a natural pace. This is diaphragmatic breathing. In this type of breathing, the stomach pushes out as the breath goes in, creating a calming effect. This is the way babies breathe and how we ourselves breathe when asleep!

Attend to your posture: Crooked, stiff, or off-balance describes the body under stress. When sitting, our legs may be stiff and both legs and arms may be crossed in a defensive posture. When standing, we lock our knees. Our body is tense. Instead, uncross your legs and arms, sit or stand up straight using your backbone to support your body, and place your feet firmly on the floor. Relax your legs. These grounding actions support balance and strength.

One of my IRL students, Nepharia said this

Sometimes, the Earth opens up to our energy like a woman waiting for her lover. We can push our negative energy into the earth, especially if that energy is just your all around natural greyness, because the earth can recycle that energy and easily turn it into something positive better than we can.
Blood helps the crops to grow. Just because you don't think it's pleasant, doesn't mean it's bad or not beneficial.
Hell, even trees steal their energy from the earth, and then sun's light.

I was searching for different ways to ground without using Earth--Here are some I ran across. These are written from the perspective of helping someone ground after a ritual:

Summoning Breath- Ask the person to become aware of their breath. Ask them to slow down their breathing. When they have controlled their breathing ask them to exhale all the air from their bodies that they can and to hold on empty for a count of three. Continue slow breathing with holding on empty, increasing the hold on empty to a count of five. This pattern of breathing summons the subtle bodies, drawing them closer to the physical body. Holding on empty helps to synchronize the rhythm of the blood, prana, and cerebrospinal fluid. If the person will not listen and is diving in and out of their body, you may need to hold their nose with your fingers.

Name Chant- This is a two part chant that helps to reaffirm the person’s place in the here and now. The name Judy is used in this example.
You chant: “Judy, You Are Here. Judy, We Are With You.” They chant: “I Am Here. I Am Here. I Am Here”. You repeat “Judy, You Are Here. Judy, We Are With You.”
Chant until the person brings it to a close.

Food & Drink- Often people in the throes of a reaction will not have any desire for food and drink. Coax the person into eating or drinking something that is sweet, unless diabetes or other conditions make this inadvisable. As soon as possible after the sweet treat, get the person to eat a small quantity of something rich in protein. High protein food is harder to digest which redirects the person’s energy into their body. Moreover, high protein food will help adjust brain chemistry in the direction of normal beta wave consciousness. Less commonly, some people will crave large quantities of sweets (including fruit and other natural sources of fast burning sugars. A small quantity of sugar may be useful, large doses will generate further problems. Chocolate is a good choice for many people— in a small dose

Recharging The Etheric Body- Most commonly, the subtle body that receives the greatest stress in adverse reactions to ritual is the Etheric. This is the energy body that lies just above the physical and closely mirrors the physical form. It is this body that is caught in energy clashes and dissonances of the lower and the higher forces during an imbalance. If the person reports that they feel cold, or are still trembling, or lack fine muscle coordination, use this technique. Place a blue or purple fluorite crystal in their dominant hand and an amethyst in their non-dominant hand. Ask them to intone “Oooo, Ohhh, Oooo” in a low rumbling pitch. Check in with them and repeat until they feel better. If you don’t have crystals available, have them make these tones while you make the tone “Awww” at as low a pitch as you can.

Now--when I conduct a ritual here IRL. I watch each and every person of mine...make sure that they eat and drink something. If that still doesn't work...we go hug a tree or I make them go out barefoot and touch the Earth with feet and hands...sending all that excess energy to Mama Earth. We don't have to do it often, but I especially watch my newcomers.

any of these techniques above can be adapted for solitary use. Here are some others that you can do, as well:

*ground deep in the mother earth's core...sending cords down to her
*M&M's (most kinds of chocolate will work)
*meat ( it's not the quantity that so much counts)
*showers
*sex
*dancing
*jumping up and down on the ground
*laying on the grass
*touching trees
*asking the stone people to help you
*drink lots of good water
*actually anything that makes the body feel it's physicality is good
*having someone push and pat down on your shoulders with the intention of you returning into your body

Centering Techniques stop the excessive mental and physical activity to which we are so addicted and instead focus the mind to quiet our constant mind chatter. This enables you to listen to the mind, body, and emotional talk to quickly receive the messages that signal stress overload. Most of us spend our lives ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. Centering, also called Mindfulness, is a way of focusing on the here-and-now, of truly living in the present.

Cultivate mindfulness: This centering technique focuses our attention on what is happening to us in the immediate moment, rather than attending to other people, the past, or the future. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing and your body. Becoming gently aware of what you see, hear, or feel in a deliberate way will, after a few moments, slow your reaction. You can also do this while taking a walk or sitting quietly by yourself by focusing on your physical sensations and breathing.
The following instructions elicit the relaxation response for many people:
•Choose a mental image (a word, number, phrase, or visual picture) or your own breathing on which to focus;
•Find a safe place where you won’t be interrupted and position yourself comfortably;
•Close you eyes when you are ready;
•Taking slow and natural breaths, focusing on your image in time with the breaths;
•Acknowledge distracting thoughts (which are normal) and go back to your focus; and
•Work up to repeating this procedure 10 to 20 minutes, once or twice a day.

Here are some other techniques that you can use for centering yourself--

Breath Awareness #1
While involved in whatever you are doing, bring some attention to your breathing... not your full attention... just enough to bring you back to your calm center. Breathe a little more slowly and deeply.
Breath Awareness #2
When feeling stressed, take several slow, deep breaths. With each in-breath, imagine you are pulling all of your scattered energy and attention back to your Self... your calm inner center. As you exhale, let go of all stress and negativity.
Inner Sun
Visualize a bright sun filling your heart chakra... the quiet, subtle energy field that permeates your chest area. Imagine the rest of your energy field as clear blue sky. When stressed thoughts or emotions arise, view them as clouds floating in that sky.

I am also going to post a couple of meditations. I want you to pick a couple of meditations/techniques--give them a try and report your results.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Grounding Visualization:
opening to universal energy.
Sit comfortably, cross legged or in a chair in a balanced position, hands apart, feet flat on the floor. Take a few deep breaths, relax your body, focus your attention.

You are sitting somewhere warm and comfortable, out of doors on a sunny day. It is high noon, and the sun is directly overhead.
Visualize a sunbeam coming straight down from waaaay up above, shining directly on the top of your head.
Relax into this imagining till you can feel the sunbeam warming the top of your head,
physically or in your imagination.

Imagination is power!

When you have the warmth, imagine that the top of your head is a flower.

The crown chakra is called the thousand petaled lotus.

It is classically visualized as infinite petaled lotus that is eternally opening and opening.

You can imagine any kind of flower.

The flower opens to the warmth

and draws the sunlight down it's stem,

into your head,

sparkling, tingling,

into the third eye and throat,

flowing down inside you to fill a reservoir space in your torso,
an oval going from your pelvis to your collarbone.

Filling with light.

Make it as bright as you can imagine.

When the space is filled
with bright sparkling radiant light,
brilliant as the sunrise reflecting off the ocean,
bright like an arc welders torch

we notice the inner container has a hole in the bottom,
and a stream of light leaks from the bottom of the reservoir,

down through your feet, down

down

down

down

down

like a laser beam drilling

down

Waaaaay down

All the way down

to the very center of the Earth.

which looks like a brilliant, fiery crystal. Gaia's heart, Her Kundalini.

When the beam hits the centre,

it seems to spark some kind of explosion down there

it sparks a volcano of light from the firey crystal

A volcano that comes rushing

up

up

up

up through the earth

roaring back up

like "Old Faithful",

back into your feet

(feel them start to tingle?)

exploding the reservoir of light in your center

into star bright radiance, glowing, growing

Brighter, larger

into an oval bigger than you.

shooting out the top of your head

like an umbrella shaped fountain,

sun drops rolling down to describe the oval

that is the perimeter of your aura, two feet above your head

and three feet below your feet

making it an eggshell

complete and sealed against all harm.

A force field bubble defining your personal boundary.

Some of the light keeps going up

keeps going back up

waaaay up

up to where it came from

up there.

The Light above responds with more light, like soft warm rain on your shoulders.

Your center, fed and charged

by the light flowing through you down and up

up and down

increases in brilliance

bigger and brighter

to fill the whole oval of your aura completely.

Feel yourself

as an egg of light

on a thread of light

with the Earth and the Sun connecting to each other through your body.

Energy flowing both ways.

Fire rises, water flows down.

through you

and around you.

When you can hold this mental image clearly,
(as bright and clear as you can make it)
make an internal request for it to stay that way.

Snap your fingers,

"Circuit is Locked in".

Your unconscious will now maintain the light circuit,
while you do other things.

You are now grounded.

How do you feel?

Do you notice:
the complete absence of negative, limiting, or fearful thoughts?
the relaxation and sense of well being?
the tingling of the soles of the feet and fingertips, like they have had a massage?
the sensation of lightness of being?
The sense of being fully present in the Now?
These are the signs of being grounded into Universal Source.
If you try to find an emotion that describes the feeling of this energy,
you will discover that the only word that fits is

Love.

absolute, unconditional love and acceptance.

The shock of this realization sometimes completely un-grounds very insecure people.

Are your feet still tingling?

If this idea makes your feet stop tingling, you need to take a few minutes to slide on past the feelings of being unworthy, you know Source loves you... unconditionally.

Limitlessly.

Regardless of how you feel about you.

If you have become ungrounded,
Go back to the top and start over again.
Take your time, focus on your breathing in the light..
Go ahead! It is very worth doing. You are worth it!

Think of how good that feels... love is supposed to feel good, right?

Think of how good it feels to be in love,
and imagine what it is like to feel that good all of the time,

but

without needing to be fixated on another person as the source of the feeling?

Enlightenment is constantly feeling madly in love with everything and everyone in All of Creation.

[~Elise~]

Opening the Heart Chakra--

Opening the Heart chakra.
while you are grounded, bring your attention back to your center.

Imagine that there is a ball of light,
a star of light,
in the center of your chest,
next to your heart. (the Heart Chakra)

It is very beautiful.
See how it is fed by the light flowing through you... notice what color it is?
Imagine it brighter and brighter, see how that feels.

Contemplate it for a few moments.

Say Hello to it.
Breathe, and focus on your breathing as you listen for a response.

Ask It if It loves you.

You will hear and feel it's answer.

Listen carefully.

Breathe.

Feel your feet tingle.

Ask again.

Listen carefully for an answer,
there will be one: that is a cosmic promise.

It may come in words, a quiet, genderless voice of love.
It may be a feeling, a warmth in your heart or joy and love.
It may even be a painful feeling, if your heart is trying to open and there is a blockage.
It may be a rush of tingles, energy or goosebumps.

Ask the light if it will always love you, unconditionally,
no matter where you go or what you do?
If it's love is limitless?

Stay Grounded, feel your feet tingling,

breathe,

and listen for the answer. It will come, as words or a feeling.

The answer will fill you with joy and awe.
It is very beautiful to know.

If you are really reaching the heart voice, the answer to all of these questions will be yes. The Heart will tell you that you are infinitely, unconditionally loved and that you are and have always been perfect. Ask It questions, to make sure you are in contact with the genuine heart voice, and not the voice of your ego or an entity. It takes practice and mindfulness to build your trust and faith in this inner voice, ... that it has always and will always will be there for you, anytime you take a moment to do this grounding visualization.

Some people refer to the Heart Voice as the Inner Guru.
Ask it for insight into some minor difficulty you have been having.
Choose a small problem to start with, a minor nuisance.

I want you to get better experienced at maintaining the state, while asking questions. It takes practice to stay grounded when contemplating big emotional issues.

Fear interferes with grounding... most negative emotions do... get grounded, first, so fear is absent before questioning the Heart light.

Then learn to do the visualization in two breaths, twenty times a day.

No, really, it is easy, with practice..
Take a deep breath in, while focusing on relaxing your body and straightening your spine.
Breathe out long and slow, imagining the light coming down from above,
feeling your breath as the laser beam drilling deep into the earth..
in the pause between breaths, you touch the firey crystalline core.. feel the explosion of love in response...

then a deep breath to inhale the energy coming back up from the Earth into your being, out and around around the edges of your aura
and out the top of your head up up up..
in the pause, feel the energy touch the heavens..
breath out slowly, basking in the Grace flowing down, focusing on the heart, giving thanks for your tingly feet.

[~Elise~]

Clear your mind, and concentrate, on the earth.

Visualize energy coming up through the earth as a green or bronze colored ball.

Bring the energy up through you to your stomach then visualize it dispersing throughout you body and mixing with your own personal energy then draining back into the earth anchoring you to it like roots anchor a tree into the ground.

Feel the earth's energy pulsing strong and steady into your "roots" then up through you, making you feel stable and strong and sturdy.

This Grounds you and helps you attune to the earth. If you start to feel light headed or shaky when doing any techniques etc.

Ground yourself. This is caused by your body not being used to raising energy and containing it.

Take your time and spend however long you need to fully visualize everything as clearly as possible.

Practice as often as needed, however, since you are just learning this exercise try not to practice more than twice a day for now.

[~Elise~]

Here is one from Starhawk:

Grounding and Centering For Activists
By Starhawk
(10-15 minutes)
In an action, in any potentially tense of dangerous situation, we need to be able to stay calm, to feel our fear without letting it overrun us or turn into panic. Grounding is a technique that can help us stay both alert and relaxed when all hell is breaking loose around us.

Grounding begins with the breath. Try this: clench your stomach, tighten your muscles, breath up high in your chest. How do you begin to feel? (People often say, "anxious," "Tense," "Panicky.")

Now relax your stomach, let your breath drop down into your belly, into your toes as your belly expands. Do you start to feel different? For some of you, this might be hard to do. At first it might seem unnatural. Put your hand on your belly, breathe so that your belly pushes your hand out. Practice this, sometimes you need time before you can do it easily and naturally.

Now close your eyes for a moment. Imagine that breath pushing down through your feet, through the base of your spine, as if you were a tree pushing down roots. Let those roots go down through the floor, through the soil below us. Imagine they can feel something of the quality of that earth, what it likes to grow, how healthy it is. Push down through the waters under the earth, down through the bedrock, down into the fire below us. If there's still any tension or fear, let that go into the fire and just burn away into pure energy.

Now imagine you can draw some of that fire up. Feel it as the earth's living, creative energy, and bring it up through the rock and the water and the soil. Bring it up into your legs and feet and the base of your spine. Bring it up your spine and let your spine grow like a flexible tree trunk, reaching up to the sky. Bring some fire into your heart, into any place inside you that needs healing or extra energy.

Bring that energy up through your arms and out your hands, and up through your neck and throat and out the top of your head like branches that reach up to the sky and then spread around you and reach back down to touch the earth. They create a protective filter around you. Take a moment, look at that energy web, notice if there's any places that need to be repaired or strengthened. And notice how the energy in this room feels when we all do this.

Now feel the energy of the sun, shining down on your leaves and branches. Breathe deep, draw that energy in. Breathe it down through your leaves and branches, down through your heart and your belly and your hands. Take it in, feed on it like a tree feeds on sunlight.

Now open your eyes. Look around you, notice how other people look to you when you're grounded. Notice what's changed.

When you're grounded, when your energy is linked to the earth energy, you can still move. Imagine your feet have sticky roots, that can sink into the earth and then release when you move. Walk around a little, really feeling your contact with the earth, feeling those roots grip and release.

Now as you move, stretch your arms out to your sides, as far as they'll go, until you can't see your hands if you look straight ahead. Now wiggle your thumbs, and slowly bring your arms in until your thumbs are just visible on the edge of your peripheral vision. Notice how wide your field of vision can be. As you walk, breathing deep, grounded, activate that peripheral vision. Know that you can be aware of what's going on around you.

And now notice whether you are making eye contact with the people you pass. Keep breathing, stay grounded, keep your awareness wide, but now also make eye contact with each person you pass. How does it feel to be this present in a situation?

Now come back to stillness. As you breathe, feel where it is in your body this grounded place seems to live, and touch that place. Can you find an image for this grounded state? A word or phrase you can say? When you use these three together, touch, image, and phrase, you create an anchor to help you ground quickly in any situation. Try it -- use it.

Now relax. How did that go for you all? What did you notice?

Remember, the more you practice grounding, the more automatic it becomes. If you take even a few mintes a day to practice, you¹ll not only have better energy in your daily life, you'll be able to ground quickly and instantly when you're in a tense situation.

[~Elise~]

Sit peacefully and relax. Let the ground or chair support you. Let your muscles go. You don't have to exert any effort to sit there. Take in an easy, deep breath...and let it out your mouth, parting your lips slightly as you exhale. Let your arms feel heavy, pulling down your shoulders. Breathe... Let that heavy feeling flow down your torso and legs, so you feel heavy and relaxed all the way down to your feet on the ground.

Now picture and feel roots growing from your feet down into the ground. Just like a tree's roots...going down into the layers of cool dirt...growing around rocks...traveling further and further down into the earth. Let the roots grow as deeply as you wish.

Now feel the healing, rhythmic energy of the earth itself flowing up through your roots...slowly traveling up...through your roots, up to your feet and quickly filling your entire body. Feel this positive, grounded, earth energy throughout your being. Take in a deep, cleansing breath... and release.

When you are ready, open your eyes and know that this grounded energy will remain with you throughout your day.

[~Elise~]

http://www.mastersinthemaking.com/articles/empathicgrounding.shtml

For those who are empaths, (and there seem to be quite a few in this class)--there is some AWESOME information here

Elise

[~Elise~]

Close your eyes and sit in a comfortable upright position...

Begin to breathe deeply and comfortably.

Breathe easily and deeply.

Concentrate on your breathing.

Nothing else attracts your attention.

Take several deep breaths and feel the air flow into your body as it "lightens" your being with air.

Now, imagine that the earth's energy is rising up through your feet to join with your breath.

As it works upwards, rejuvinating each muscle it touches .

The energy rises slowly up your calves,

up your thighs through your hips

and upward through your torso, into your shoulders.

Let it flow across your shoulders and down your arms, and

through your hands.

Let it relax and energize your back and your shoulders.

Allow it move up into your neck and flow out the top of your head

and back into the universe from whence it came.

Continue absorbing the calm energy into every atom of your body,

Rejuvinating your entire being with pure universal energy.

Allow you body to feel recharged and grounded.

Feeling the beautiful connection to mother earth, the source, and your inner spirit.

[~Elise~]

All right -- you should have PLENTY of options here.

Pick a couple of the techniques/meditations and do them for the next couple of days to a week and POST the results.

Elise

[amakaliani]

So as of yet, I have not actually done the assignment, however, I wanted to ask you some things about a meditation practice that I have been using since my son was born, and I started nursing him. From that first day in the hosp after he was born, I found myself laying in bed next to him, and after he had fallen asleep I would always stretch myself out along the bed. I would then make sure that I was comfortable as well as my jammies weren't bothering me. (i know I am anal rententive sometimes)

Once all was made comfy and there was soft calming music going in the background, I would close my eyes and make myself VERY aware of everything going on inside my body. When my body starts to feel heavy then it seemed as though my brain was able to float away. Sometimes, I recall that I had conversations with my patron Goddess Kali, most often I do not recall immediatly after what was found out. But, then later some things just seemed to be in my head, through no effort of my own. A couple of times I know for sure that I floated out of my body, and hovered over the bed. As I write this out now, I can clearly see my child as a small nursing infant, from just that prospective.

I was wondering if you thought this was along the same lines as the grounding. Or if it can be made into a grounding ritual. For some reason every other time I have tried to meditate in ANY other way, I fall asleep. This seems to be the only thing that keeps me on my task. I am greatly confused.

Meditation and inward focus never happened for me until
A: I started performing ritual period
B: My child was born

(I think the hinge point on the ability to focus after my Tazzy was born, was the realization of the One Main Purpose of my life - to be a Mom. )

Does this make sense at all? Or am I just a serious oddball? (wait that is a trick question , I know, cause I am odd.....but, well, you know what I mean.)

Thanks, Pearls

[MariThorn]

I to have a question. I will try your different methods, after all new methods are often good to have in a repetoire. What I wanted to ask is this . . . I find peace doing my rosary and just sitting in the sanctuary contemplating the eucharist. I often find myself very calm and don't realize that people are coming or going, unless someone physically touches me. Is this a form of grounding and centering?

Thanks,
MariThorn

[Penthesilea]

I've printed out the lessons and will start this evening -- which is usually when I need grounding! :lol: It's been a very exciting day, so tonight will be a good test.

[~Elise~]

I've printed out the lessons and will start this evening -- which is usually when I need grounding! :lol: It's been a very exciting day, so tonight will be a good test.

So--share!!! What made it an exciting day? Curious minds and all that, ya know.

Elise

[~Elise~]

I to have a question. I will try your different methods, after all new methods are often good to have in a repetoire. What I wanted to ask is this . . . I find peace doing my rosary and just sitting in the sanctuary contemplating the eucharist. I often find myself very calm and don't realize that people are coming or going, unless someone physically touches me. Is this a form of grounding and centering?

Thanks,
MariThorn

yes, that is grounding -- to the point that you get calm. Once you get past that and out of touch with reality and aren't aware of people around you... that isn't.

Make sense?

Elise

[~Elise~]

So as of yet, I have not actually done the assignment, however, I wanted to ask you some things about a meditation practice that I have been using since my son was born, and I started nursing him. From that first day in the hosp after he was born, I found myself laying in bed next to him, and after he had fallen asleep I would always stretch myself out along the bed. I would then make sure that I was comfortable as well as my jammies weren't bothering me. (i know I am anal rententive sometimes)

Once all was made comfy and there was soft calming music going in the background, I would close my eyes and make myself VERY aware of everything going on inside my body. When my body starts to feel heavy then it seemed as though my brain was able to float away. Sometimes, I recall that I had conversations with my patron Goddess Kali, most often I do not recall immediatly after what was found out. But, then later some things just seemed to be in my head, through no effort of my own. A couple of times I know for sure that I floated out of my body, and hovered over the bed. As I write this out now, I can clearly see my child as a small nursing infant, from just that prospective.

I was wondering if you thought this was along the same lines as the grounding. Or if it can be made into a grounding ritual. For some reason every other time I have tried to meditate in ANY other way, I fall asleep. This seems to be the only thing that keeps me on my task. I am greatly confused.

Meditation and inward focus never happened for me until
A: I started performing ritual period
B: My child was born

(I think the hinge point on the ability to focus after my Tazzy was born, was the realization of the One Main Purpose of my life - to be a Mom. )

Does this make sense at all? Or am I just a serious oddball? (wait that is a trick question , I know, cause I am odd.....but, well, you know what I mean.)

Thanks, Pearls

Same answer for you...yes, it is grounding up to the point where you enter the meditative state.

This is for all of you... the goal of this is to get you grounded and centered into the NOW. the moment you are experiencing.

If you go into meditative state... you aren't in the now and you aren't aware. the point is to keep you here and now and aware.

As for the serious oddball...can't answer that one...I'm one myself. Ain't it grand?

Elise

[amakaliani]

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH, aint it grand.....


Ok, so what I need to do is find a techinique much the same in theory, but, one where I can still be a functioning part of the world around me. To be able to focus, and not be "blitzed" in meditation.....


ok, so i think I have the basic concept, now to go back and pick a method or few based on having a better understanding.

[Rin Daemoko]

Well, it hasn't taken very long for real results to manifest ...

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=115488

[MariThorn]

yes, that is grounding -- to the point that you get calm. Once you get past that and out of touch with reality and aren't aware of people around you... that isn't.

Make sense?

Elise

Yes, I understand, sometimes I just like to slip off into my own place. Thanks.

MT

[medit8ive_spirit]

I don't know if this would be considered grounding or not. For several months, I've done my evening meditation, when I can. Most of the time, other members of the family are around and I can't always block them or their possible noise out completely. But my meditation time surprised me when, after relaxing, visualization starting occuring. I find myself at first, calming my breathing, then thinking of warm, white light all around me. Before I know it, I'm on my "island" and can even 'feel' the warmth of being there. I find I can keep my eyes closed and 'see' the island...and still be able to answer a question, for example, if my DH happens to come into the room.

[~Elise~]

No, guys--grounding is getting yourself in the NOW, not scattered, not anywhere else. Not going anywhere else, not going to the 'other side'. Grounded in being here, now and most of all, together.

Elise

[Rin Daemoko]

No, guys--grounding is getting yourself in the NOW, not scattered, not anywhere else. Not going anywhere else, not going to the 'other side'. Grounded in being here, now and most of all, together.

Elise
*nod*

Be here in this moment. This fleeting moment. Right here. Where are you?

[~Elise~]

I'm here!

Definitions of Grounding on the Web:

Clearing and releasing excess energy. To focus back into the physical after Magickal and Psychic workings.


In witchcraft, to ground yourself is to psychically reinforce your connection with the Earth by reopening an energy channel between your aura and the ground.

Sending excess energy generated during a ritual into the earth back to the God or the Goddess from which it came.

the connection of the human energy field with the Earth's energy field.


Here is an electrical one that might help:
Grounding is the process of removing the excess charge on an object by means of the transfer of electrons between it and another object of substantial size. When a charged object is grounded, the excess charge is balanced by the transfer of electrons between the charged object and a ground.

Here is something else from Starhawk:

Grounding begins with the breath. Try this: clench your stomach, tighten your muscles, breath up high in your chest. How do you begin to feel? (People often say, "anxious," "Tense," "Panicky.")

Now relax your stomach, let your breath drop down into your belly, into your toes as your belly expands. Do you start to feel different? For some of you, this might be hard to do. At first it might seem unnatural. Put your hand on your belly, breathe so that your belly pushes your hand out. Practice this, sometimes you need time before you can do it easily and naturally.

Now close your eyes for a moment. Imagine that breath pushing down through your feet, through the base of your spine, as if you were a tree pushing down roots. Let those roots go down through the floor, through the soil below us. Imagine they can feel something of the quality of that earth, what it likes to grow, how healthy it is. Push down through the waters under the earth, down through the bedrock, down into the fire below us. If there's still any tension or fear, let that go into the fire and just burn away into pure energy.

Now imagine you can draw some of that fire up. Feel it as the earth's living, creative energy, and bring it up through the rock and the water and the soil. Bring it up into your legs and feet and the base of your spine. Bring it up your spine and let your spine grow like a flexible tree trunk, reaching up to the sky. Bring some fire into your heart, into any place inside you that needs healing or extra energy.

Bring that energy up through your arms and out your hands, and up through your neck and throat and out the top of your head like branches that reach up to the sky and then spread around you and reach back down to touch the earth. They create a protective filter around you. Take a moment, look at that energy web, notice if there's any places that need to be repaired or strengthened. And notice how the energy in this room feels when we all do this.

Now feel the energy of the sun, shining down on your leaves and branches. Breathe deep, draw that energy in. Breathe it down through your leaves and branches, down through your heart and your belly and your hands. Take it in, feed on it like a tree feeds on sunlight.

Now open your eyes. Look around you, notice how other people look to you when you're grounded. Notice what's changed.

When you're grounded, when your energy is linked to the earth energy, you can still move. Imagine your feet have sticky roots, that can sink into the earth and then release when you move. Walk around a little, really feeling your contact with the earth, feeling those roots grip and release.

Remember, the more you practice grounding, the more automatic it becomes. If you take even a few mintes a day to practice, you'll not only have better energy in your daily life, you'll be able to ground quickly and instantly when you're in a tense situation.

[Penthesilea]

So--share!!! What made it an exciting day? Curious minds and all that, ya know.

EliseI was running around the Just Silly Forum setting up what promises to be a marathon role playing session on my Castle thread scheduled for Wednesday and happily including some people I hadn't seen in a while. Plus, tomorrow (Wednesday) is my youngest daughter's birthday and we're getting ready for that plus I was discussing a project with a friend that I can't talk about. And....I was jazzed on caffeine! I used #6. It didn't cancel the caffeine high but it did help with the emotional "vibrating".

[PoisonIvy]

I have several different techniques that I use to ground myself.
I most generally start by releasing excess energies of the day by doing yoga,then I like to meditate. Whilest meditating,I start by centering myself by concentrating on my breathing,then I imagine roots (like you suggested) going down from my spine or feet(depending on my position) going down deep into mother Earth until I can feel her energy pulsing through me. Any excess energies that I get,I let go out the top of my head into the universe. At that point I like to go ahead and do my sheilding,but I'll save that for another discussion.

If I don't have time to do my meditations and I need a "quick fix",most generally I'll put on some hematite(grounding stone) or I will go outside barefoot and walk through the grass to connect. Sounds strange and a little too simple,but it works for me.:)

[MariThorn]

Cue a light bulb going off in my head . . .

Thanks Pearl. I've always equated grounding with a weakened form of meditation because every "grounding" ceremony I've been in has you doing long elaborate thinking projects to get to the Grounded state. These things often put me to sleep or I get bored halfway through and my mind would be bop around the circle chatting with Guardians or deities that were evoked. (Some of which were disgusted and left the circle soon after arriving!) To me these long methods are meditating . . . BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

What I'm getting out of your class is that simply being able to stand and calmly listen to someone who is yelling and losing it and then be able to remain focused and not lose it yourself is being grounded. Am I close? Because if I am, then I do it via a similar method as your sticky roots thing. I have two of them.

1. I envision myself as a Holly Tree with my roots deep in the ground and my shiny, sharp leaves soaking up the sun and defending me against negative energy. To get rid of anger etc I have always sent it into the Earth.

2. I envision myself as an Eagle soaring through the air and coming to light on a big Oak tree. As my talons anchor on the tree the energy of the Mother comes through me via the tree. Grounding me and focusing my scattered thoughts.

Are these anywhere close? Or am I way off ?

[~Elise~]

Cue a light bulb going off in my head . . .

Thanks Pearl. I've always equated grounding with a weakened form of meditation because every "grounding" ceremony I've been in has you doing long elaborate thinking projects to get to the Grounded state. These things often put me to sleep or I get bored halfway through and my mind would be bop around the circle chatting with Guardians or deities that were evoked. (Some of which were disgusted and left the circle soon after arriving!) To me these long methods are meditating . . . BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

What I'm getting out of your class is that simply being able to stand and calmly listen to someone who is yelling and losing it and then be able to remain focused and not lose it yourself is being grounded. Am I close? Because if I am, then I do it via a similar method as your sticky roots thing. I have two of them.

1. I envision myself as a Holly Tree with my roots deep in the ground and my shiny, sharp leaves soaking up the sun and defending me against negative energy. To get rid of anger etc I have always sent it into the Earth.

2. I envision myself as an Eagle soaring through the air and coming to light on a big Oak tree. As my talons anchor on the tree the energy of the Mother comes through me via the tree. Grounding me and focusing my scattered thoughts.

Are these anywhere close? Or am I way off ?

those are absolutely great! I would like to pass these onto my IRL students, if you don't mind.

And YES, By George, you've got it. Better end this now before I start singing something from My Fair Lady. :)

Elise

[MariThorn]

LOL "The Rain in Spain" ;) Thanks! And by all means share them. The eagle one came to me because the Eagle is my grounding totem animal in the Native American Totems. It took me a long time to figure out how to ground with an air totem . . . believe it or not I figured it out listening to Take Me Higher by Creed. :)

[~Elise~]

LOL "The Rain in Spain" ;) Thanks! And by all means share them. The eagle one came to me because the Eagle is my grounding totem animal in the Native American Totems. It took me a long time to figure out how to ground with an air totem . . . believe it or not I figured it out listening to Take Me Higher by Creed. :)

Actually--one very cool exercise to do is to use other elements to ground too. Water is my element and is easy for me. But Fire and Air can be used, as well.

Elise

[Crystal Raven]

i do a few different methods to ground...
before ritual I listen to Enya's Adiemus (heavy beat shakes the floor) and I start with standing with my arms down fingers pointed to the floor and pay attention to whatever is below my fingers...toes, feet, ankles, calves, knees...next "verse" I bring my hands to my shoulders and again concentrate on what is below my fingers...thighs, hips, pelvis, stomach, spine, back, chest...next verse I put my hands on my head and consentrate on what is below...shoulders, throat, neck, face, head, bi-ceps, elbows, fore arms, wrists
last verse I do the senses...what do I see, hear, taste, smell, feel

I also use the tree/roots sunk in the earth and draw energy exercise

For a quick fix out and about I will eat a piece of chocolate and pay attention to every little detail and the experience.

I also use a rock for another type of de-charging/grounding AND most importantly I keep my toe nails in tip top condition and painted vibrant red, as I go barefoot as much as humanly possible, this is a visual reminder to keep my feet firmly planted!!!

[amakaliani]

at this point, I have not had much of an oppurtunity to do the completely awake grounding, I have been doing the grounding before bed, as that is generally the time that I need the most support from the Great Gaia. But, I will be working on it as soon as possible so that I can post the responses,

[MariThorn]

Yes, I have tried working with the four elements to ground. I do it better, this is true, with Earth. However, every once in awhile I will take flight with the Eagle and clear my head. As for fire and water . . . water calms me and I've used the sound of water in my head to anchor myself before. Fire is harder for me to grasp. I enjoy watching it and have been known to do fire magick, but I still have to much of a fear for it to work with it daily. Do you have any hints for using fire? I guess Spirit is using my rosary . . . I haven't really thought about it much.

[Penthesilea]

I've doing #6 mostly and #1 once or twice but I haven't been able to get the results I'm looking for. That's due to the chaos that is Thanksgiving week and having a practically continuous caffeine buzz the entire week. Now that the holiday is safely past, I'm cutting back on the caffeine and will be working my way through the entire list to find the methods that work best for me. #6 worked well in calming me physically but the mind would not settle down! *Goes off to find a decaf root beer.... *

[StarCraftLia]

.

[Salanthos]

If I understand this correctly, being grounded is that state when you stop looking at things and start seeing them? that state of mind where you become fully aware of your surroundings?

I've been doing breath awareness 1 to reach this state. It seems to work very well, and afterwards I feel calmer and more able to handle difficult situations. I have also used a quick method, barefoot walking outside, that works equally well. I will often find myself really starting to see what was always there but not noticed, and I can see beauty in unexpected places, where I had not been able to see any before. since I started grounding, I find myself noticing like this even when I'm not trying to ground. I'll be walking along and suddenly lift my head and really see where I'm walking through, the things I missed because I never paid attention. It is like a spontaneous grounding.

I have a couple questions, though. when I attempted the first grounding exercise, of the earth and sky and egg of light, I was able to achieve grounding, but when I stood afterwards I felt unstable, dizzy, I felt like I was falling. what did I do wrong? it sort of felt like I had become too much a part of the earth, and then I couldn't balance properly because the normal connection with the earth is so much less. is that possible?

and one more question - I was wondering whether this following is a method of grounding. I used to do this when I had very strong, painful emotions trapped in myself. I would force them all out on a blast of pure sound - I called this a 'howling". after this I was very calm, nothing could upset or hurt me. I was focused in the now - my mind could not wander, and I could notice very detail of my surroundings.

the reason I ask if this is a form of grounding is that after this, while I did feel calm, I also felt disconnected and detached. I felt cold just under my skin and could literally feel nothing, no emotions at all, for as much as several weeks afterwards. I was certainly focused in the 'now', but it did not affect me; I could notice details but not care about any of them.

is this what grounding is supposed to be? I did not think that such detachment is part of it, but the calmness and focus match grounding. Did I misunderstand the goal, is this empty state what we are to be striving for? I thought grounding was supposed to connect us more deeply to the now, to live in the now and not only observe - am I just a nut, or a fruit?

I would appreciate any insight into the matter.

thank you.
Salanthos

[~Elise~]

If I understand this correctly, being grounded is that state when you stop looking at things and start seeing them? that state of mind where you become fully aware of your surroundings?

Yes


I've been doing breath awareness 1 to reach this state. It seems to work very well, and afterwards I feel calmer and more able to handle difficult situations. I have also used a quick method, barefoot walking outside, that works equally well. I will often find myself really starting to see what was always there but not noticed, and I can see beauty in unexpected places, where I had not been able to see any before. since I started grounding, I find myself noticing like this even when I'm not trying to ground. I'll be walking along and suddenly lift my head and really see where I'm walking through, the things I missed because I never paid attention. It is like a spontaneous grounding.

I have a couple questions, though. when I attempted the first grounding exercise, of the earth and sky and egg of light, I was able to achieve grounding, but when I stood afterwards I felt unstable, dizzy, I felt like I was falling. what did I do wrong? it sort of felt like I had become too much a part of the earth, and then I couldn't balance properly because the normal connection with the earth is so much less. is that possible?
You were grounded, it sounds like--but not centered within yourself. Make sense?



and one more question - I was wondering whether this following is a method of grounding. I used to do this when I had very strong, painful emotions trapped in myself. I would force them all out on a blast of pure sound - I called this a 'howling". after this I was very calm, nothing could upset or hurt me. I was focused in the now - my mind could not wander, and I could notice very detail of my surroundings.

the reason I ask if this is a form of grounding is that after this, while I did feel calm, I also felt disconnected and detached. I felt cold just under my skin and could literally feel nothing, no emotions at all, for as much as several weeks afterwards. I was certainly focused in the 'now', but it did not affect me; I could notice details but not care about any of them.

is this what grounding is supposed to be? I did not think that such detachment is part of it, but the calmness and focus match grounding. Did I misunderstand the goal, is this empty state what we are to be striving for? I thought grounding was supposed to connect us more deeply to the now, to live in the now and not only observe - am I just a nut, or a fruit?

I would appreciate any insight into the matter.

thank you.
Salanthos
Okay--it's a bit early for me to be answering this, so I hope I'm coherent. That state, while cleansing you of those emotions, took you almost outside yourself, it kinda sounds like to me. Too much detachment is not good. It is too far the other direction.

That is not what grounding and centering is supposed to be. It puts you in the here and now, you are aware of your surroundings. While you don't let others emotions, or your own, get to you--you are still aware of them. You are basically the eye of the hurricane.

I hope this helps

Elise

[~Elise~]

we still have people who haven't posted results of the exercises--so this lesson will continue for a few more days, until we get more homework in.

Elise

[Rin Daemoko]

I've been actively grounding and centering myself since this lesson was posted. My initial results came swiftly - it was a dissatisfaction with my living space. It was too cluttered, and everything too high off the ground. So I really cleaned the space (physically, mentally, and magically). I moved my bed off its legs, so it now sits on the ground. I also moved my computer desk to the other side of the room (until I can remove it from the house completely). My computer (a laptop) is sitting on a small stand, not very high off the ground. I sit at it on a zafu (http://www.dharmacrafts.com/100xCU/2ZZSET/meditation-cushions-zafu-zabuton-set.html).

Now before I continue, you have to understand that all aspects of myself and my life are connected. I can't change one thing about the way I think or behave without invariably affecting many others. What follows here may appear to be extraordinarily "poser-ish," and if you think that, well good for you and your opinion. If you don't think that, same thing. :D

Not long after, I felt subtle memories trigger, which compelled me to watch the movie Fight Club a couple of times. The messages and characters helped me to ground myself even further, not just in the present moment, but in my own body, in my own place, my own circumstances and realities. Less thinking in terms of what I "will" do, or what I "have" done.

I have (had?) an intense fear of physical pain and violence. But lately, that fear has been falling apart. Not into naiive fearlessness, but into a passive courage. If pain comes, then pain will come, and I will experience it, and it will pass. If I sustain injuries, then I will be injured, and the injuries will heal. If I am shocked by violence, then I will experience a shocking, and it will pass.

Things will happen as they happen. Perfectly, flawlessly, without error.

My style of dressing has changed. I'm purposefully wearing mis-matched items of clothing. This is coming from a guy who used to be dragged shopping by friends and co-workers because I had a good eye for what worked for people and what did not. Today I'm wearing camo-patterned pants, a black hoodie beneath a green t-shirt that reads "poke me and die" with a cute picture of Puff'n'Fresh (the Pillsbury Dough Boy), and when I leave the house I wear a camel-hair suit jacket.

People pay less attention to me now that I dress this way. Or they notice me, they just don't want to talk to me. Perhaps I appear aggressive, or insane, or something else that challenges their ideas of what a "kind" person should look like.

Some things that used to bother me don't even occur to me as bothersome things - losing a bit of change, missing lunch, looking like an idiot in front of strangers. Other things that used to bother me, still bother me - I just don't care that they bother me. If I can solve the problem, then there's no point in getting upset because there is a solution. If I can't solve the problem, then getting upset certainly won't solve it instead. So there's no point in getting worked up over silliness.

I eat whatever I want. I don't care if it has a lot of fat, or carbs, or whatever. Everyone should go on Margaret Cho's "**** it" diet. Basically, when you see something that has a lot of fat or carbs, you take a moment and you go within. Then you say "**** it" and you eat it.

Eat right, exercise - die anyway. Besides, self-improvement is masterbation. Why should I strive to look like the idealized version of what other people think a man "should" look like? I'm not a man. I'm Rin. I'm my ideal self. Right here, right now. There is no "should be" or version of me. There is only me, as I am. The end.

... a lot of this stuff has been coming up and evolving over the last couple of years, but this last week it's really been "taking root" and coming to fruition. Actively grounding and centering has certainly helped a great deal.

[Crystal Raven]

ummm hate to ask...but am I on the right track? everyone else got a response so far except me, am on page 3 _inabox_

[~Elise~]

ummm hate to ask...but am I on the right track? everyone else got a response so far except me, am on page 3 _inabox_

I'm sorry--yes--you are on the right track. I love the thing with the polish on your toes and that isn't the first time I've heard that, either.

However--you do need to practice doing it without music. I want you guys to be able to center, ground and shield instantly by the time class is over. I would like it to be an automatic thing.

Make sense?

Elise

[ravenscape]

I tried 6 and 8 as well as my usual. I've always liked tree-rooted visualizations, and I like light visualizations, too.

For me, grounding is about getting physically relaxed and mentally/emotionally/energy - focused. I can't get too deep into a visualization or I'll slip into a more meditative state. Grounding seldom takes more than about 5 minutes, and often takes far less. I usually ground standing up, but sometimes sitting.

[amakaliani]

I have been doing the roots into the ground/white ball of light surrounding me cross just about every night before bed. Still trying to work it into my morning coffee ritual.

I find that the few nights that I have not really tried to ground, I have had FOUL dreams. The last few nights have been rough. I haven't fallen into bed until well past my normal time, and with the thanksgiving holiday and then having hubby home all 2 nights in a row, threw off things a large amount. But, I am going to begin again tonight when I put my son down. I will report if there are any remarkabke changes in my dreams.

[purple dragon]

i tried some of the techniques just sitting at my computer and they help, i'm going to try them up the climbing wall especially the one to ease tension to help me fear of heights. i'll try some more later as well, i used to do a relaxation and meditation club so i find it quite easy to relax.

[StarCraftLia]

.

[Meriwen]

Like I said am a little behind and a little manic right now. The breathing I understand and can do, it's like bio-feedback. My problem are the racing thoughts, I know you are supposed to be able to acknowledge them and let them go, but I think I am trying to hard to push them out. Any hints

[~Elise~]

Oh you said the idea was to be able to center/ground without thinking about it.. Now it's like the roots are always on stand-by for me, and I can start them up automatically, no mater what position I am in. Is that good?
Yes that is good


Oh.. I got possessed yesterday! Shouldn't the shield/grounding and stuff have been able to stop it? I could've over run the spirit if I've known what was going on, but I thought I was doing those things myself.

We have not gotten to the shielding part yet. We're working from the ground up, (pun intended)

Who or what was it that possessed you? Why do you think possession? What happened?

Elise

[~Elise~]

Like I said am a little behind and a little manic right now. The breathing I understand and can do, it's like bio-feedback. My problem are the racing thoughts, I know you are supposed to be able to acknowledge them and let them go, but I think I am trying to hard to push them out. Any hints

See the thoughts as bubbles and let them drift away. If you're manic right now--sounds like you could really use some centering and grounding to help cope.

Elise

[Wyrdsister]

The grounding/centering for me is going well. I've been using tree root visualizations for the most part, while trying to change it up a little by visualizing myself in the Qabbalistic Tree of Life. (It might sound strange, but it's the first step in the LBRP, so I'm familiar with doing this visualization.)

Anyway, my biggest challenge has been to ground anywhere, any time. I've wanted to try grounding when I'm at work. My job is rather hectic and I know I'd benefit from grounding, but I honestly totally forget about it during my shift and only remember after I arrive home. I think I'm going to have to write it down on a to-do list at work in order for me to remember. :) So that's my challenge for myself this week - practice grounding at work!

That's my update. If there's anything else I experience or have questions about, I'll be sure to post. :)

BB,
Wyrdsister

[purple dragon]

the grounding for activist exercise really works for me, in drama today we were blindfolded sent into a room with scary music playing, tickled with feather dusters and poked with branches, everyone else in my class was screaming, but i was really calm and was happily laughing to myself.

[MariThorn]

I haven't been home for four days, but I would like to know if you had a response to my question on page 3? It is okay if you don't, I was just curious.

[slave_isabel]

I didnt realize I knew how to ground until someone close to me heard me tell about how I close my eyes and just let my pastor's words wash over me. I shut everyone and everything out to just hear the words and let them sink into my soul. I realize eveyone is around me and where I am but its like they are just dust motes in the light if it makes any sense. It's kind of neat to realize that something I was already doing was what this class is teaching me to do especially when I was stressing thinking I didnt know how and couldnt get the hang of it.:)

[~Elise~]

I haven't been home for four days, but I would like to know if you had a response to my question on page 3? It is okay if you don't, I was just curious.

I thought I answered all your questions. Which have I missed?

Elise

[~Elise~]

I love the experiences you guys are posting on how it is affecting you and helping you!

This is why I teach this class. Keep 'em coming through the weekend and I'll put the next lesson up on Sunday or Monday.

Elise

[MariThorn]

Yes, I have tried working with the four elements to ground. I do it better, this is true, with Earth. However, every once in awhile I will take flight with the Eagle and clear my head. As for fire and water . . . water calms me and I've used the sound of water in my head to anchor myself before. Fire is harder for me to grasp. I enjoy watching it and have been known to do fire magick, but I still have to much of a fear for it to work with it daily. Do you have any hints for using fire? I guess Spirit is using my rosary . . . I haven't really thought about it much.

You may have answered this . . . I was wondering if you had any hints or advice on using the element of Fire to ground with. And Thanks for answering my questions, I'm really enjoying the class.

[~Elise~]

You may have answered this . . . I was wondering if you had any hints or advice on using the element of Fire to ground with. And Thanks for answering my questions, I'm really enjoying the class.

Not that I can think of off the top of my head. that one is a difficult one to use for grounding.

[StarCraftLia]

.

[~Elise~]

Feel free to PM me with the details, I'll help if I can.

Elise

[MariThorn]

Thanks :) I was just curious.

[medit8ive_spirit]

I had hoped to finish this class but due to problems that have come up at this site, I must withdraw for now. I hope that they will be offered again and that I will be able to take them at that time. I thank you pearls59 for your teachings and for having me as a student.

[LadyAriana]

I actually combine the Summoning Breath techinque with what I call "Chakra Chimes" I will sit in a comfortable place, but not too comfortable so I don't fall asleep (learned that lesson).

Taking slow deep breaths I imagine the stress and 'ickyness' of the day begin to wash off me. Each time I exhale, the air flows off me like water, taking away all the stuff I don't want. When I feel lighter and more clean, I start the chakra chimes. I'm musically inclined so I hear a C scale in my head :P

Starting from the crown, I work my way down through the chakra, tapping them and listening to the sound they make. If it sounds off, I tweak it until it rings clear and good then work my way down to the next one. When I reach the bottom, I play a quick scale, ending back on the first note. Not only do I feel grounded and well centered, I also have a nice little tune in my head for a little. :)

[~Elise~]

keep posting your experiences with the exercises, guys.

Elise

[piperwyatt]

I find that if you call on your animal (mystical or real) that you can get a sense of protection along with a calming effect when meditating.

When I call on my animals (the wolf and the dragon) my senses seem to be more aware and I feel more calm, more centered. I also call on the elements, but that's because I have to work strong protection and restraint spells when I'm grounding myself.

They do work!!!!!!

-Mandy

[ravenscape]

I've had a big upsurge in free-floating anxiety during the last few weeks, erupting into panic attacks. This is something I haven't experienced in years, really. I've used breathing techniques and visualizations to ride out anxiety and panic in the past. During the last couple of weeks I've found that using the specific grounding visualizations I've adopted are even more effective in getting through an attack.

But, they just keep coming back. I'd consider doing some pathwork, but I'm a little afraid I might dig up something I'm not in a position to handle at the moment. Any thoughts?

[Geministar]

Sorry I'm posting so late! I have done a couple of the excersises over the last few days and I have found them to work very well for me. The first one were you have the volcano come back up through you works really well for me, and I can definantly get into the now with it. I do a lot of grounding to begin with and usually have my feet turn into roots as you have in some of the excersises. I find that grounding is one of the best ways I can feel energy coursing through myself literally. When you are suppose to feel your feet tingeling, I definantly do.I have enjoyed doing the excersises though and will continue to practice them so I can get even better at it. Thank you!:)

[~Elise~]

I've had a big upsurge in free-floating anxiety during the last few weeks, erupting into panic attacks. This is something I haven't experienced in years, really. I've used breathing techniques and visualizations to ride out anxiety and panic in the past. During the last couple of weeks I've found that using the specific grounding visualizations I've adopted are even more effective in getting through an attack.

But, they just keep coming back. I'd consider doing some pathwork, but I'm a little afraid I might dig up something I'm not in a position to handle at the moment. Any thoughts?

What besides this has changed in your life in the last few weeks?

Elise

[ravenscape]

Nothing has really changed, just many of the same old same old issues flaring up, added to holiday stress. I seem to become less able to handle the everyday stuff at this time of year every year, and any little thing will upset the apple cart.

For some reason this year seems worse than the last few :(

[~Elise~]

Nothing has really changed, just many of the same old same old issues flaring up, added to holiday stress. I seem to become less able to handle the everyday stuff at this time of year every year, and any little thing will upset the apple cart.

For some reason this year seems worse than the last few :(

Sounds like the grounding and centering is needed more than ever... esp. the centering.

Have you also looked into medical means to help with the panic attacks?

Kava might help you to get a handle on things, as well. Check with your doctor.

Elise

[~Elise~]

I just posted Lesson 4... but we can continue with this, as well, for those who have finished it or have more to share

Elise

[AineDanu]

I read through the lesson and I thought I would share how I do grounding/centering as it partly mimics things from a couple of the examples. I visualize a golden/white light coming from way up above and entering into my head through my chakra point. As it enters it becomes a sort of "washcloth" of pure white and as it flows through my chakra it cleans all of the negativity out of it and I do this through each chakra point until I can see no more "black" or "gray" spots as it swipes through. When I reach the first chakra I then visualize that "cloth" flowing through both legs and then my feet and from there all of the negativity is pushed deep into Mother Earth. She then sends back to me nothing but love and positive energy and it enter through my feet and back up into my chakras until it flows out of my head and then it falls down around me forming an Egg-shaped shield filled with love. I often put a reflective shell around that egg so that any harm coming towards me is reflected away again....

It works really well for me when I remember to do it. My biggest problem is remembering to do it daily.

[~Elise~]

And that is why I want people doing it daily--so it BECOMES habit.

Do it daily before you get up for a minimum of three months and it will be habit.

JMO

Elise

[AineDanu]

I am going to post a reminder note where I can see it when I awaken so that I will not forget....I know it is very important. :) Thanks for the message.

With love and hugs,
AineDanu

[LadyCelt]

I have felt good with the grounding I have done. I have also imagined myself as a mermaid grounded by seaweed too.

[~Elise~]

Now THAT is interesting... never heard that one before. cool idea.

Elise

[LadyCelt]

glad you liked the idea I had. It didn't come to me on purpose either.

[Syn]

I think I have a pretty good idea what grounding is maybe somebody can tell me if this is right or not? thanks. Go into a forest and find a tree you are most drawn to and hug it and stand back and focus on the tree you have chosen, now feel your feet growing roots and growing more and more, until they intertwine with trees roots you have picked, close your eyes and feel your self growing a trunk and raising slowly up into the air high above. Place your arms horizontaly, and feel the branches form off of you as you grow more rapidly into the air. When you feel you've gone high enough stop growing and stay where you are and concentrate on your breathing, as you breathe in more then you do out. (You still have your eyes closed), now when your done feel yourself coming back to the ground and the branches disappearing into your body and the roots untangeling from the tree you've chosen and coming back up into your feet.

[~Elise~]

That is a meditation for grounding--yes