Staying Grounded

I have struggled my whole life to "stay grounded." What I mean by "staying grounded," is to stay centered and in touch with myself even when difficulties arise. Most of us are focused "in our heads." While "our heads" have given us many gifts, they cannot help us to stay grounded and centered, in a place that encourages safety and a sense of peace to all concerned - even the one who seems to be giving us trouble.

How to stay grounded? Well, of course, like most things in life, we don't do this perfectly. I remember a story I heard of a Zen master being asked by her students: how do you stay centered all the time? She laughed and told them it was not that she did not lose her ground, her center, it was simply that she had many, many ways to return to center when she was thrown off!

How to stay grounded? One simple way is to think about the soles of your feet! Simply take a moment to notice that you are not just the thoughts in your head, you are not only your heart pounding wildly in your chest, you are not only the tightness in your neck and shoulders. You are also your whole body, right down to the soles of your feet. Notice this now. Notice the soles of your feet.

When you get up from your chair and walk across the room, notice the soles of your feet. Remember that your legs are part of you, your hips, your waist, your torso, your head. You have a whole self. A whole body. Your wisdom and power and center are not simply in your head - your wisdom and power and center are in the soles of your feet!
Warmly,
meb