Grounding
Strong energies, which include those we call emotions, can be detrimental to us especially if we have them in excess and they persist. It is much the same as a power surge in electrical systems, where the high current trips the breaker. We do have a built in ground, though our thoughts typically block it so it is insufficient to deal with the energies we build up as we go about our lives or high-energy surges resulting from intense experiences. In both of these cases, this can result in a disruption of physical and neurological processes in our bodies, and clouds our minds to the point where we make poor choices that can have serious consequences. An example most can relate to is what happens when we get angry. The anger tends to build up eventually leading to the point where we express it, often in an explosive manner. The excess energy that builds up affects us, as does exploding in anger, so it is logical that if we can remove the excess energy we can reduce problems. This is where grounding comes in.
Grounding is the “act” of making an energy connection with the earth. This connection facilitates the draining excess energies. By grounding, we create a connection that these energies can then flow along from ourselves into the earth; the earth converts it into a “neutral” form. Unfortunately, most people hold onto the anger rather than letting go. Sensitive people can actually feel anger, and of course other emotions, emanating from people, and react to it even though it may have nothing to do with them.
To illustrate this, we will take a deeper look at the consequences of not grounding away strong emotions. Let us take, for instance, angers and hurts. We all know that when we are angry we are capable of doing things we can come to regret. When we have strong emotional reactions to experiences, the tendency is to hold on to them, to allow them to build up like air in a balloon. Holding onto these emotions allows them to stain our aura due to their interaction with all our other thoughts. The longer the influence continues the greater the effect. Of course, if we are not careful, and allow the energy to continue to build we may not be able to contain it at which point it erupts out of us along the lines of our attention and all around us.
During periods where we feel strong lower emotions the tendency is to express them. In doing so, we dump the energy on everything around us and project it at what or whom our rational mind perceives to be the cause as well as anyone we feel could have helped but did not. Energy follows attention. However, if we drain the anger before it gets to this stage then we reduce the possibility of an explosive reaction and the impact of our strong energies on others and ourselves. When we are angry, we direct a significant portion of the energy at what we perceive to be the source of our anger. This can have a significant effect on those unable to protect or shield themselves from it. Even more importantly strong emotions such as hurt or fear can prevent us from making good choices. Obviously, reducing the energy our thoughts and feelings trigger would be of great benefit.
One additional factor to consider is that while we are born with a natural ground, over time we block our ground by creating thought forms that isolate and separate us from the world around us. Such thought forms, based on the idea that we are separate from the world, restrict the natural flow of energy. And, as our own though forms of justification, righteousness, entitlement and the thought of “me” rather than “us” promote the buildup of strong lower vibrations or emotions they also inhibit grounding.
Visualize strong emotions as being like the hot air in a sealed balloon. If one continues to generate the strong emotion, the balloon will continue to fill until it bursts. This disperses the energy around the area where we are. Additionally, the energy flows towards what we perceive to be the source of problem. What we need is a method to reduce the pressure before problems occur. We can do this by grounding ourselves.
Now, let us look at grounding techniques. There are many ways to do this, some of which you may be using already without realizing it. Development of this skill starts with becoming aware of it, understanding what it is and how we can benefit from it. Remember, everything your doing now has a corresponding energy component. The awareness that thoughts and feelings are energy, and that we cannot be create or destroy energy is pivotal.
There are literally countless methods (techniques) of grounding. It is not as mysterious an act as it sounds. The idea is a simple one. Grounding is the act of connected to the earth, which acts as a channel for the flow of energy into it similar to how a lightning rod works. In this case the effectiveness of the lightening rod is dependent on our thoughts. Most people are used to grounding in some fashion, albeit it poorly or incompletely, at times of crisis to calm themselves down. Visualization plays a key role in helping one develop powerful grounding techniques.
Some of the things you may be doing now will serve as examples to help illustrate some general methods of calming down, or relaxing:
Deep breathing when accompanied by the thought that I am breathing in fresh strong air and expelling my stress or fear certainly helps to move the energy in a similar fashion to grounding, but the energy is usually dumped out and about you rather than down, harmlessly into the earth. Therefore, while it may help you to calm down, it does project the energy around you. This can affect others and the energy will remain where you dumped it (though if not added to it will eventually dissipate). This form of deep breathing can provide a partial grounding effect, again depending on the particular thought pattern behind the act. It's best to combine it with a visualization of drawing up 'clean energy' from the earth with each inhale and 'pushing/moving' the 'bad' energy down into the earth with each exhale. The earth will neutralize the energy for you. By maintaining this 'thought form' you can remain grounded throughout the day.
Picturing a quiet place can help us to relax. There can be a grounding component to this visualization if, when we are in this place, we imagine the stress or whatever draining away from us. Images of a cleansing waterfall, for example, can help because water flows into the oceans, or into the earth and the energy, following our attention, will do the same.
Visualizing the stress/emotional energy draining directly into the earth helps establish a ground. It is best done while sitting though it can be done at anytime and anywhere. It is easier to focus on the visualization when seated. The thought creates a connection to the earth that the energy follows and energizes or creates positive thoughts that counterbalances the negative. One can use whatever image will convey the concept of a direct connection with the earth. Combining mental images such as having roots extending into the earth or feet imbedded in the earth with the breathing technique works very well. I use this method at the start of my meditations and whenever I feel myself reacting negatively.
Hugging a tree is a very good way to ground oneself; however, in this case it is the tree doing the work of connecting to the earth, and letting the energy drain through it, into the roots and so into the ground. This is not to belittle the method. It is very effective; though try not to restrict your contact with trees only to times like these, as it is not their purpose for being. Feel free to thank them.
Rational thinking can assist us in grounding energies we create, though it will not provide much when we are dealing with strong emotions or connect to strong energies in meditations and other energy work. By thinking rationally about a situation, by being less reactionary and more conciliatory, we can see where we are not acting appropriately or in our own or others best interests. This alone can reduce the amount of negative energy we are manifesting. We can then use one of the above techniques to reduce the energies we manifested to that point.
Our thoughts manifest certain vibrations, and these create movement in our energy field. Energy follows attention. The form and strength of this movement depends on the type of thought and our force of will (by will I do not mean will power). When we visualize becoming grounded, or focus on the types of thoughts we have, the effectiveness of the grounding is dependent on our degree of focus and success at eliminating competing thoughts. Further, by making use of natural channels, we can clear strong energies with amazing ease. At first, creating a ground using thought alone takes time; fortunately, it gets shorter with practice.
Grounding is a great helper in our cause. By grounding out energies that cause problems, we keep strong negative and damaging energies from influencing others and us. This gives us opportunity to make fewer mistakes, to see events more clearly and act in a fashion that assists rather than hinders or harms others or ourselves. A good ground facilitates a more balanced and centered state. At the same time, we gain the added benefit of wonderful natural energy from the earth.
So, one should try to stay grounded at all times. The more grounded we are the less susceptible to being caught off guard by a buildup of strong emotions. One thing grounding does not do is resolve our issues. These we work on through the ways we have examined already. What grounding does is help us be more objective, something that is difficult to do when overwhelmed by emotions.
In general, most people can handle a certain degree of stress or other pressures without building up to the bursting point. This does not mean one need not stay grounded as often as possible. Remaining grounded and connected to the earth on a continuous basis reduces the volume of lower vibrations we hold onto and has enormous long-term benefits.
© 2009 Allan Beveridge