Grounding

Right now, the world’s political landscape is filled with insults and provocations.   It’s hard on our psyches and souls to hear world leaders speak in such disrespectful ways.

How do those of us who are seekers, those of us who have a desire to connect to the Divine do this amidst this barrage of public unkindness, even cruelty?  It’s not easy. 

Sometimes, when I watch or listen to news about world leaders’ lack of civility I feel like my feet aren’t fully on the ground.  It’s a bit like I’m like a rudderless ship.  It helps to ground myself with prayer or other spiritual practices—being in nature, taking a bath, doing a mindfulness practice, stamping my feet, slowly drinking a cup of tea. 

As indicated before, each of us has our own unique ways of connecting to the Holy.  Recognizing this, my personal grounding practices and the grounding meditation video below may not fit your needs.  Please let the Spirit guide you into the choices you make. 

Today’s video is a grounding meditation adapted from the Tree of Life Meditation created by Rochelle Graham, [1].  It’s based on tree of life references in the Christian Scriptures, (Genesis 2:9 and Revelation 22:2).  Rochelle was the founder of the United Church of Canada’s Healing Pathway Program. 

If you decide to engage in the Tree of Life meditation on the video, I invite you to consider journaling what comes forth from the meditation.  Each journal entry can be a touchstone, a concrete reminder of your spiritual journey and growth in this turbulent time. 

Grounding Meditation Video

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or what has come up for you in this or any of the other practices.

1. Rochelle Graham, Flora Litt, Wayne Irwin, Healing from the Heart: A Guide to Christian Healing for Individuals and Groups, Woodlake Publishing, Kelowna, B.C., July 2008.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Maureen Fowler, a beloved spiritual mentor.