Earthing and grounding can mean many things to many people. The following describes what these terms mean to me and my life. My hope is that you open yourself up to the magic of this practice and that it reflects your unique brand of connection to source, just as mine does for me.
A few years ago I took at trip to Norway with a small group of fellow tourists, including my mom and sister. I’ve always felt a special connection to Norway knowing that all of my ancestors were from the Southern part of this beautiful country. In fact, my Ancestry DNA confirmed that I’m 100% Norwegian!
I’m not exaggerating when I say that driving through Norway is like being inside a living postcard. Everywhere you look the natural beauty, history and culture of this country and its people will leave you in awe. One of the first stops on our tour was to see the largest remaining wood Stave church in Heddal, Norway. There is such rich and vast history in all of Norway. This church dated back to the early 13th century where Vikings walked, and Nazis terrorized, the very earth I stood.
Connect to the earth.
I wanted to connect to my motherland so I took off my shoes and stood barefoot on the earth. I breathed in the air and spiritually connected with my ancestors and this sacred land. It brought me peace, as it always does, when I commune with nature. Another traveler asked what I was doing and I explained that I was earthing. Intrigued, she joined me barefoot.
Soon there were several people earthing and grounding with me, connecting to the power of the land in ways you aren’t able to if you’re just witnessing it. Whenever we could we would put our feet directly on the land or touch the earth with our hands and pause for a moment while soaking it in. There’s a calmness that takes over my being when I commune with nature. Earthing enhances my mindfulness practice, providing ample moments of grace and presence, as well as an intuitive connection to my higher power where clarity, purpose and courage live.
There are many ways to ground yourself.
I try to practice earthing wherever I go. Whenever i see a Redwood tree, I feel compelled to hug one. Yes, I’m a tree hugger and proud of it. These trees are magnificent and have weathered hundreds of years of life and storms. You can feel the wisdom and strength in your being. Lean on one, hug one, touch one… close your eyes and become one with a tree and you’ll see what I mean. It’s truly a spiritual experience.
For me, earthing also means connecting to life’s source, water. I try to put my bare feet into every body of water I encounter. When I was in Israel I put my feet in the Mediterranean, Dead Sea, Jordan River, and Sea of Galilee. I jumped into the cold Sørfjorden in full view of the Norwegian Folgefonna glacier. I connected to the Indian Ocean through the joyful act of surfing in Bali. I’m naturally drawn to water, especially the ocean, where I experience the power, resilience, and grounding it holds.
Grounding or earthing can be done in a variety of ways as long as it connects your energy with the energy of nature through physical touch and intention. Acknowledge nature, show gratitude, and set an intention to tap into the universal energy that runs through everything.
Grounding heals your body, mind and soul.
This experience can heal in ways that you could never imagine. This isn’t just woo-woo stuff best left for the woo-wooers. It’s for all of us, if you just give it a chance. The earth acts like a massive grounding force to your high stress levels and health. A simple Google search will direct you to a lot of information on the hows and whys of grounding, including the amazing health benefits. This article provides a good overview of some of those benefits.
So, the next time you are stressed out: go stand barefoot in your lawn; hug or touch a tree; sit on a boulder overlooking a park; lay in the grass; put your feet in a lake; or find any other way you can connect directly to the earth and nature. Take a deep breath and be present for the moment (check out my blog: Presence as a Pathway to Peace). Connect to the universe and nature. Feel it flow through you as if you are one with everything. Then, let me know what happens for you.
