The Importance of Being Grounded

The Importance of Being Grounded

Why does staying grounded matter, and what does it even mean?

Well, it’s easy to get up in our heads, isn’t it?

As I write this, I know you’ll be reading on your phone or computer. And you’ll likely be between tasks, on your way somewhere, having a quick look at email. That’s how we live now.
 

Is this true for you, now or regularly? Browsing, skimming, prioritizing, multitasking…moving constantly to the next thing with a swipe or click.
 

How much of your attention does each thing get?

Are you ever truly there, for any of it?

So, what's the problem with that?….

• Living on autopilot, it’s easy to feel disconnected from our bodies, and everyone else. Does loneliness ring a bell?

• Living like this, in our heads, we’re more likely to get caught up in our stories and feelings, instead of having a clear perspective.

• Let alone the ultimate perspective, of awakening - that you, your life or problems are not permanent or real, even for an instant, and that our suffering comes from this wrong view.

And what’s the safe, free, always-on vaccine for this?

Well, it starts with getting grounded. And we do this through the senses because it brings us into the body and into the present moment. 

The mindfulness movement is really all about this: The first foundation of mindfulness is the body.

What happens when we stop and pay attention? Pay attention to what our hands are doing, or our breath, or perhaps to our feet?

- In that moment, we’re out of autopilot.
- Our whole system gets a moment of refresh.
- We interrupt any reaction, thought or feeling we were caught in.
- The longer and more often we do this, the more we refresh our whole system so that it works better.

Getting and staying grounded

When we’re not connected to our body, we can be blown around like clouds in the sky. What blows us around? Simply put not getting what we want, or getting what we don’t want.

Here a couple of things to try to help you get more grounded:

1) We can quickly and easily ground ourselves, anywhere. Take a moment now. Feel your feet on the ground, just bring your attention there. Or to where you're touching the seat or ground with your body. Feel the energy in your whole body. Don’t you immediately feel more balanced, confident, connected and energized?

2) Pay attention to transitions. As you move to the next thing, stay with any feeling of discomfort, clinging, or judgment. Notice where it is in the body. If we don’t honestly look at what happens as we end one thing and start another, then we take with us a lot of unconscious energy. Instead, watch the body, mind, and feelings as you move from one thing to another. Honor the experience, instead of turning on autopilot to get through it.

Meditation: the training and practice we need to stay grounded

This is why we created Meditation Groundwork during the COVID lockdown.

Meditation directly exercises the mindfulness and concentration muscles we need to pay attention to the body, and ground ourselves. To build more calm, equanimity, energy, curiosity, and joy into our lives.

If you want less suffering in your life, then it really helps to do the groundwork: meditation.

We invite you to connect with our small community of meditators, up to three times a week. Sign up to our list to get the link once a week in your inbox.