As we approach the Fall Equinox (September 21st), we begin the transition from Summer to Fall. Here in Central Texas, it still feels like summer! BUt the mornings are providing a preview of more comfortable weather.
During this transition, we still honor the “season” of Late Summer.
Late Summer is the last season within the Five Elements Cycle (or Wuxing) and is associated with the Spleen and Stomach organ system (which also includes the pancreas). This season corresponds to the late summer, early Fall, Indian Summer time when we are wrapping up the summer fun and beginning to harvest the last of the fruits, veggies, wheat, etc.
This season is also associated with the Earth Element. It’s important to get in touch with the Earth – and a wonderful way to do this is through Grounding.
Grounding is one of the most fundamental aspects of practicing Qigong, as well as working with patients within the Medical Qigong paradigm.
Grounding is the ability to fully connect with the Yin energy of the earth. Through a simple grounding meditation, we center and relax, connect, and allow ourselves to feel the warm, comforting embrace of Mother Earth’s energy. When you are grounded, you feel a sense of stability, of being safe, secure and protected, and of being whole.
An interesting aspect of grounding is that we are connected through our lower dan tien or energy center, which is in the middle of the lower abdomen. This is our physical center of gravity, our center. It is also related to our essential essence or “Jing”, the life force or vital energy that we are born with. When we ground, we automatically support and enhance our Jing. But we are also connecting with our spiritual side, albeit in a subtler way.
When we ground, the energy moves from our lower dan tien, through our root or base (Huiyin point at the perineum), and then up through our heart center and all the way to the crown of our head – the Baihui point, which is analogous to the crown chakra in yoga.
The feeling of wholeness we enjoy when we are fully grounded is not just physical wholeness or stability, it is also mental and emotional wholeness and stability. In our paradigm, body (physical), heart/mind (emotional and mental), and spirit (higher consciousness) are inextricably connected. When we give ourselves the gift of grounding, we impact our entire being.
Trust Yourself
One of the most important psycho-emotional benefits of grounding and practicing our Earth Dao Yin exercises (part of the Five Elements practice I teach in The Five Elements Health Form), is learning to trust oneself.
Many of us have a tendency to ruminate, to over-analyze situations and circumstances. Thinking through things and planning for contingencies is good. But becoming paralyzed and fearful of taking action because you doubt yourself is not so good.
Listen first to your own conscience, your inner voice. Don’t let the opinions of others sway you from the things you feel, deep inside, you should do – or not do.
In other words, Trust Yourself! Trust your instincts and your intuition. Trust your judgment. Trust your ability to ask the questions or find the information you need to make a good decision.
Also, trust that you will receive the guidance you need, whether from deep inside or from a higher power.
One thing I’ve found in life: when my heart is right and sincere, the universe always provide in one way or another – and things tend to work out.
Trust other too. As Lao Tzu tells us, “No trust given, no trust received”.