Earth & Sky Reiki's Blog

Plant Yourself in the Now: Grounding For Vitality and Clarity

This modern world has a tendency to leave us scattered and off-balance, in other words, un-grounded.  My own mind is often somewhere other than where my body is.  This sets up a negative dynamic that leaves me unfocused, weakened and less able to make the best of whatever situation is in front of me.

Talking on the cel phone is a prime example.  I call it the tele-dimensional zone.  It’s basically a shared realm between my mind and the person I’m talking to but it has no actual, physical existence at all.

I am only dimly aware of my surroundings when I’m on the phone.  My body moves on autopilot.  I occasionally drop back into my body to avoid a “collision” then zing I’m back into the tele-dimensional zone.

Unfortunately the zone doesn’t make me invisible to everyone else around me in real time/space.  It’s funny to think, but when I’m connected to someone on the phone, I have disconnected with my physical surroundings.

The tele-dimensional zone is one example but the phenomenon is common.  How often are you lost in thoughts about the future or replaying events from the past?  This sense of disconnection is a common problem but we have a number of ways to deal with it.  One of them is grounding.

In one sense, grounding is re-connecting with the present moment and your immediate surroundings.  That is, to be fully present in the here and now.  But grounding can also involve an energy exchange with the Earth.  This not only brings you firmly to the present moment but also refreshes and revitalizes your body’s energy.  Interested? Read on.

Grounding in the Earth

Stand or sit with your feet flat on the ground and shoulder width apart.  It’s best if you do this with your shoes off but can be done with them on if necessary.  Take a few moments to simply breathe and be aware of your body and breath.

Feel your feet on the ground, the support of the Earth beneath you, the flexing of your leg muscles holding you balanced and upright.  How do your chest and abdomen move with each breath?

Remember to keep your spine straight and relax your shoulders.  Allow your arms to hang loosely at your sides or let them rest, palms up, on your lap if you are sitting.  Notice how your upper body moves with each inhalation and exhalation.  Feel the air passing in and out of your nostrils.

Also notice your surroundings.  Is there is air blowing across your skin?  What sounds are coming from nearby.  Don’t try to identify anything in particular, just notice it as sound and allow it to be as it is.  If you find your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your body, your breath and your physical position.

Think to yourself, “I ground myself here and now in the cleansing energy and support of Mother Earth.”  Then imagine that there are roots growing out of the bottoms of your feet, delving deep, deep, down into the Earth.  If you are sitting cross-legged on the floor, imagine the roots reaching down from the base of your spine.

Your roots continue to sink deeper and deeper, heading toward the very center of the Earth.  With each in-breath you bring up nurturing, supportive, cleansing Earth energy.  It flows up through your roots, up your calves and thighs, up through your torso, chest, neck and head.

With each exhalation, send any stagnant, heavy energy deep down into the Earth to be cleansed.  Continue this cycle of breath and energy movement for as long as you like.  Notice if there are any areas of tenseness that need special attention.  Breathe the Earth energy into them and let any blockages drain down into the ground.  When you are ready, thank the Earth for her love and healing.  Take one last, deep breath and let it out with a sigh.

Take note of your state of mind.  Are you more relaxed and clear-headed?  Let me know how this works for you.  You can also feel free to contribute your own grounding practice to this blog.

Peace-filled awakenings,

Stephen

It’s YOUR Wellness – Grab the wheel.

So, what is Reiki? Where does this energy come from? How does it work? All great questions and no one, as far as I know, has all the definitive answers. I can tell you this, though. reiki, chi, prana, ashe, the indwelling spirit, whatever you call it, is present everywhere, in everything and everyone, without exception.

Reiki energy isn’t dependent on any particular religious belief system. It is all around us and we can access it at any time. This “Universal Life-Force Energy” responds when called upon and goes where it is needed.

Naturally, the question arises, “If this energy is everywhere and responsive, then why can’t I use it myself?” The answer is, only because you haven’t been attuned to it. Anyone can channel Reiki once a Reiki master has attuned her or him to it. But you don’t have to be a practitioner to enjoy the benefits.

A Kundalini Reiki session lasts about 30 minutes. It leaves you profoundly relaxed, refreshed and clear-minded. Reiki heals at the source of health issues be they mental, emotional, spiritual or physical. Reiki clears away energetic blockages so that the patient’s own life force flows freely. Reiki also helps the body rid itself of toxins. Reiki functions as both preventative and curative medicine.

Here in the west, we tend to look at healing from a symptom relief standpoint. We take a pill to get rid of unwanted symptoms and don’t look at it any deeper than that. Let’s face it, when we feel pain, we’re looking to make it “ go away.”

It is the rare individual who asks, “Where does this come from. What do I need to change in my thoughts, beliefs, actions, diet, and so forth, to remove the cause or causes and thereby the symptoms? It’s no wonder then, that symptoms continue to return and drug companies reap the benefit of the over use of drugs for “symptom management.”

Of course, modern pharmacological medicines are not to be lumped in an “all are bad” category. It’s just that we need to be careful about this knee-jerk-take-a-pill solution that is so prevalent today. We have options. And isn’t that what’s so great about freedom – choices?

We can approach health issues, be they physical, mental, emotional or spiritual from an empowered place of choice. When in human history have we had access to such a variety of wellness solutions? You can keep your medical doctor and explore alternative medicine. Your journey to well-being is in your hands, which is right where it should be. Take a look around and enjoy the ride. And remember, questions are definitely welcome.

Peace-filled Awakenings,

Stephen

Welcome to the Earth & Sky

My name is Stephen Hardy and I am a Kundalini Reiki Master.  But don’t let the title beguile you.  I am a lifelong student of spiritual awakening and energy healing.  My classroom is the universe or, if you subscribe to alternate realities, the multiverse.

This page functions as a central hub for information gathering, question asking and experience sharing.  No one has all the answers but it helps everyone to touch base and see what questions are being asked.

Reiki is an incredibly powerful resource but it will not do for you what you should be doing for yourself.  In other words, don’t expect Reiki to go into your schedule and free up time for you to take care of yourself.  Reiki won’t devise a daily health regimen for you.  It won’t tell you what to say to avoid conflict in your life.  It won’t “fix” an issue you aren’t ready to face or make it so you can glide through an effortless, trouble-free life.

Reiki can help you heal emotional issues that have plagued you for years.  Reiki can help cleanse and balance your chakras, free up blockages in your energy body and strengthen your immune system so you can deal with whatever is coming up in your life.

Reiki, in my experience, is not some power coming from outside of you to “fix what’s wrong with you.”  Reiki is Universal Life Force Energy that can call forth, from within you, the energy and wisdom to take control of healing all aspects of your life.

Reiki is “intelligent energy” that goes where it is needed, to the source of the problem, and begins the healing transformation from within.  Reiki is not an end.  It is a perpetual beginning.  Each of us is still responsible for moving ourselves along the pathways of our individual journeys to health, wealth and well being.

I’m glad to make the trip alongside you.

All the best,

Stephen