Although grounding techniques are not traditionally taught during Reiki classes, I feel it is a necessary component of spiritual practice and development. Why is that, you may ask? Grounding refers to being present in this moment of time. When you are ungrounded, you may be worrying about the future or living in the past. Basically, grounding balances out the spiritual, emotional and physical energy in your body by connecting you with the Earth. This occurs through your Hara Tanden. Grounding allows you to have a firm foundation for heightened spiritual awareness.
Being ungrounded can feel like:
- Light-headedness
- Tiredness
- Disassociation or disconnection
- Being dazed or unable to focus your vision
- Shakiness
- Or feeling like your head or your whole body is floating.
When you are ungrounded, you will pick up thoughts and feelings from your surroundings that do not belong to you. You will feel off balance and your energy may feel like anxiety. This is challenging for people who are going through a spiritual awakening.
Before commencing Reiki (or your everyday living), whether it be for yourself or for others, it is important to be grounded. Without grounding, the clarity of your Reiki channel may be impaired. Grounded Reiki practitioners grow in their awareness of what is possible with Reiki.
Grounding Techniques
To focus the mind and express a clear intention, a simple breathing technique may be used. Three deep breaths that fill and expand the diaphragm are suitable. Slowly, take each breath and hold it for the count of five then release.
Other grounding techniques include:
- Tapping your feet on the ground
- Drinking a glass of water
- Gentling pulling on another person’s legs
- Placing a cooling cloth on your forehead
- Holding another person, object or stuffed animal
- Focussing on someone’s voice or noises or visuals around you
- Walking or crossing your arms or fingers – focussing on the movement
- Holding a crystal known for its grounding abilities such as obsidian, jasper or Australian agate
- Eating – follow what your body is searching for. This may be chocolate!
Grounding visualisation
If you believe that you require further grounding, a short visualisation may be used. I have included the meditation/visualisation that I use personally. This may take as short or as long a time as you feel is required.
First thank Source for their guidance and support. Imagine that you are in an amazing field/forest/jungle/meadow and see yourself as a tree – tall and strong. Your feet are placed firmly on the ground and from the soles of your feet, roots extend into Mother Earth.
You are anchored – safe and secure. You can feel the warmth of the sun, the whisper of the wind and the sounds of nature around you. Begin to feel the way that your roots are deep within Mother Earth.
Allow yourself to draw energy up through your roots and feel it slowly seep up your legs into your base chakra. Imagine it settling there, igniting it and making it spin in beautiful colours. Then allow the energy to move to your sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown chakras – each time allowing the energy to pool, ignite and spin.
Once you have reached your crown chakra, send the energy out into the Universe as a beautiful display of branches, leaves and blossoms. It is so beautiful and awe-inspiring. The energy touches Father Sky and cycles back through your chakras into Mother Earth and the cycle begins again.
You may wish to allow this to cycle a few times. Know that this energy is available to you at any time that you need it.
When you feel grounded, thank Source for the gift of intuition and begin to commence the dowsing session. (Cameron, Dowsing and Divination Level 2, 2010)
