Upward Facing Meditation

Being grounded is important, as feeling energetically rooted in the Earth gives us a sense of security. But, sometimes a life change can throw us out of balance, misaligning our internal compass and destabilizing our daily routines. Practices such as walking barefoot across a grassy field, strolling through a dense forest, or spending an afternoon near a body of water are a few of the many things we can do to feel more grounded. For some, taking refuge in nature to feel the ground beneath our feet just doesn’t work.

Perhaps you’ve moved to a new place, or have endured some kind of event that has completely uprooted your perspective on life. Whatever the case may be, if you’ve lost your foundation and can't get grounded, I wrote the following meditation for you. 

Sinking your roots deep into the Earth is a wonderful practice, but looking up is also a way of resetting your sense of place and connection.

Practice this 'upward facing meditation' and get back to feeling grounded. 

It is best to practice this in the evening, preferably on a clear night. Find yourself in a safe and comfortable place outside. Take several deep breaths and scan your body with your mind’s eye. Start at the top of your head and let your internal gaze travel down to your feet. Now, bring your inner gaze back up to the very crown of your head, releasing tension along the way. 

If possible, locate the North Star. If you are not able to do so, find north with a compass or a familiar landmark. Now turn your body to face the north. Let your awareness hover a few inches above the crown of your head. After a few deep breaths, allow your awareness to rise a little more, and then a little more. Using your sense of direction, clearly visualize your place on the planet relative to what you see in your field of imagination. Perhaps you see mountains, the ocean, or a landscape of tall buildings. Take time to reset your internal compass from this higher perspective. 

Pay attention to the way your body feels as you become keenly aware of your location. Do you feel a solid connection with all that surrounds you? 

Whenever you are feeling unstable, realign yourself from a higher place. Use this upward facing meditation to gain some ground, and securely occupy your place on Earth.