Grounded in Spirituality

Grounded spirituality illumines the path of dharma

Staying grounded is not just a trendy way of practising spirituality, or about walking barefoot on the earth, even though this is most definitely very helpful and healthful. It is an essential part of our spiritual growth, mental sanity and emotional well-being.

It is a must if we are to nurture meaningful relationships, a connection with the natural world, and a purposeful life that serves the highest good of all.

Spirituality enables us to perceive the bigger picture, encouraging introspection into our inner world of thoughts, feelings, needs, wants, and desires. It invites us to purify these subtle realms from conditioned, impure, or selfish motives, guiding them towards the clarity, and profound connection of omniscient awareness.

Grounded spirituality illuminates the inner path of dharma, guiding us to initiate inner change that expands our awareness beyond the constraints of the limited self. It redefines personal growth from material or selfish pursuits to a profound journey of Soulful Awakening.

The spiritual path takes courage, dedication and a commitment to truth. At times it involves navigating torrential inner storms of pain and suffering to realise the radiant light that is eternally conscious, aware and present. The light that is our true nature and the manifestation of our inner divinity.

So it is very important not to fluff it up with the fairies, alas we may dig ourselves further into the trenches of a false reality, and get caught up even deeper amidst the waves of impure motives and delusion.

Staying centred and grounded in spirituality is essential for spiritual seekers to maintain a balanced, honest and meaningful life. it is also important for navigating challenges with clarity and calm. I have learned, however, from the great Yogi Masters, that it is not just about keeping your feet on the ground, we also need to raise our awareness to stay centred and grounded within ourselves, that is, in the spine.

The role of the spine in staying grounded:

The spine is considered a vital channel of energy in many spiritual traditions, including yoga and Hindu philosophy. In yoga, the upward movement of energy (often referred to as Kundalini energy) along the spine is seen as a pathway towards spiritual awakening and higher consciousness. By directing our awareness to the spine, we aim to channel and elevate our energy towards spiritual growth rather than letting it dissipate outwardly.

Swami Kriyananda's teachings from "The Art and Science of Raja Yoga" emphasize the importance of inner awareness, staying centred within the spine and directing one's energy and attention towards the spiritual eye rather than solely focusing outward on sensory experiences. 

Here are some practical ways to use your spine, feet and your energy to stay centred and grounded:

Keep a straight spine

When sitting, sit up straight, when standing, stand tall. Pay attention to your spine from moment to moment, and adjust to stay straight and open as needed. Practices such as Yoga and Pilates help to train the right muscles to strengthen and stretch to keep your spine erect, and your attention and intention to become aware of and live from the spine, also play a vital role in staying centred and grounded. To investigate compare sitting with a straight spine versus slumping. Experience this for yourself by staying in each position for several breaths, and then notice your energy levels. Notice how when your spine is straight it is easier to breathe, you feel more energy flow in the body, and your mind is clearer and more alert than when you slump.

Move, Breathe and Live from the Spine

Be aware of your spine as you engage in activity, physical movement and in life. Become aware of your breath as it carries the life force through your body, allowing you to stay alive. This flow of Prana travels up and down your astral spine. When you meditate deeply and become aware of the subtle energies of your body's physiological systems, you can feel the air as it flows up and down from the root chakra to the spiritual eye. 

Walk from the spine. Let each step emanate from the spine because it does. As our brain sends a message to other parts of the body to move, these signals travel through the spine and out into the nervous system. Don't make it complicated by overthinking it, simply be aware that these movements are centred in and from the spine, and you will remain more centred and self-aware.

Living in the Self and Meditation

Living more in the Self involves shifting our awareness inward, away from the external sensory experiences that dominate our daily lives. The Self refers to our inner spiritual essence, which can be accessed and experienced through deep meditation.

Meditation is central to staying inwardly aware, centred and grounded. Meditation teaches us how to concentrate the mind single-pointedly, and therefore not get pulled out and away, from here to there, by inner or outer distractions. With a concentrated mind, we become more self-aware and can maintain more of our intentional awareness in the spine.

We can never control things outwardly. We can, however, control our own energy. Lahiri Mahasaya's advice for overcoming any problem was always the same, to meditate more. Common advice for a busy person, who doesn't have time to meditate for one hour each day, is to meditate for two hours. The mind is the powerhouse of our will and our inner perceptions of life. Meditation helps us to master our minds and therefore our inner most conscious Self, essential in staying firm in our centre. Through regular meditation, we can change our destiny because meditation centres and raises our consciousness and strengthens our aura.

Connecting with Nature

Staying in tune with nature is like riding the flow of a big wave over the ocean and not falling off! Nature has her rhythms and cycles, power and intelligence, her creation, preservation and destruction, all of which we are a part of. Take time to sit in nature and feel these subtle vibrations that are powerfully present behind the beauty of their physical formations, the trees, the earth, the animals and the elements. 

Find a spot that you love out in nature. This can be in your garden, a place where you can simply be and observe. Watch the movement, watch the stillness, absorb the vibrations and stay attuned by being present. Notice how you connect through your sensory observations and your inner feelings of intuition.

Walk Barefoot on the Ground

Taking the initial three points and then including a barefoot walk in nature, or having your bare feet on the ground, works in integrating the aliveness within yourself, your energy centres, and the interconnected reality of your being with the cycles and manifestations of our Supreme Creator. By allowing your feet to touch the ground you are connecting with the subtle magnetic currents of the earth.

So take off your shoes, and feel the land beneath your feet. Experience the flow of the earth's electric current as it merges into the life force that is your unique signature, and the flow of prana that is flowing within your very own spine.

Observe the Animal Kingdom with An Open Mind and Heart

The animal kingdom, our beloved kin, are truly grounded in nature and attuned to their sensory perceptions at the same time. They live and act in the present moment, according to their true nature. A lion is always a lion, an eagle an eagle, knowing how to live through the body and in-tune with nature. Ok, maybe one exception with domestic cats who sometimes liken themselves to being a lion! 

Keen observation of nature and animals, in a calm meditative state, can help us to also remember our attunement to the natural flow of life, letting go of any resistance to this natural movement and the flow of life as it unfolds. 

Staying Centred and Grounded

By incorporating these practices into your life and daily routine, you can cultivate a deeper connection to your body, nature, the intricate workings of your inner landscape, and the present moment. This grounded presence enhances your ability to respond to challenges with clarity and equanimity, rather than reacting impulsively out of a scattered state of stress or anxiety. 

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