Saturday, August 7, 2010

August Newsletter: Chakra Talk! - Getting Grounded

In June, I started teaching a series of classes called Chakra Talk! which focus on the body's 7 major energy centers (chakras). With an emphasis on one particular chakra each month we progress through each energy center, from the first, or root, up to the seventh, or crown, chakra. A general overview of the 7 major chakras is provided at each class to ensure every participant has the right amount of knowledge to put things into context, more easily absorb the information, and enjoy the exercises throughout the class.

The July class was focused on the first energy center, also known as the Root Chakra. This chakra is all about getting, and staying, grounded. In the class, we talked about what it means to be grounded, shared some experiences that might throw us off center, did a few exercises, and even had some fun doing 'readings' on each other. The content of this newsletter supports the theme of our July class and what it means to be grounded.

To be grounded means to feel secure with where you are in any given moment or situation; it means to feel firmly planted, rooted if you will, so that 'stuff' doesn't affect you so much! For example, when we have a sense of community, family, and belonging, we feel secure, confident, and safe - grounded. When grounded, we feel balanced, sure of our footing, and more apt to maneuver life's bumps and detours with greater ease. But we can easily become off balance when something or someone pushes our buttons or life throws us a curve. And before we know it, we've moved our boundaries (to accommodate the needs of others) only to find ourselves feeling angry, scared, resentful, defended, and perhaps even hostile. These 'things' affect our overall energy-body causing us to feel unsafe, guarded, closed off, even violated. These (root) feelings then cause an imbalance in all other chakras, which is why a strong first chakra is so fundamental to achieving and maintaining the body's entire energetic system. We find a firm foundation, become grounded, by cultivating a healthy root chakra.

Change is a common example that can move us from a secure, safe place, to one that feels insecure, unstable, and even scary. We all experience change in life; sometimes it is by choice, but often it is by necessity or some sort of life event. And change comes in many forms; we switch jobs, partners, friends, and communities all the time. We lose loved ones or are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or an incurable disease. More challenging is when we have a combination of these things at once. And all these 'things' have the potential of taking us off center, where we lose our sense of safety, our sense of belonging, that feeling of being protected, grounded.

It was challenging for me to remain grounded as I transitioned out of my secure and stable job to work in the field of energy medicine. I had built a very solid career and had all the securities that come with nearly 25 years in the same industry. I knew in my heart it was time to move on, but had a heck of a time letting go of what I considered a 'safe' place. Watching my health deteriorate as I postponed my move, I grew fearful, resentful, and carried the burden of low self-esteem; a new feeling for me. I was letting myself down every day I got behind the wheel and drove myself to work. This went on for a couple of years. I knew I needed to make a change, but didn't feel safe outside this secure place I'd created, where I felt a sense of belonging, recognition, and value. Only after getting so ill I could barely think straight and being involved in several accidents, one "near miss" high-speed car wreck that landed me in Seattle's major trauma center, did I see that this 'safe' place was killing me.

I'd been spared, but "life" was getting my attention. As if to say, look at me! I was forced to turn within, where I humbly asked for Divine guidance. I knew this was the only thing that could really save me; the only place to find answers. My spirit had been lost in the chaos of racing to be a great employee and earn a fat paycheck. I eventually found my way back home, to my roots, to my Spirit, my foundation. As soon as I found my way back, I was able to take the first step, then the next, until I was finally strong enough, or maybe weak enough, to let go of what sustained me; I let go of my fancy title, the big office, all benefits - my safety net. A miraculous thing happened next. When I made myself available, when I surrendered, opportunities came flooding in, doors opened, new (like-minded) friends emerged; I'd found my new tribe, my new sense of belonging. It was instant. All I had to do is walk out of one door, my job, and into the next, the unknown. I say that as if it was easy, but it was one of the hardest things I've ever done; ranking up there with mountaineering and raising my daughter!

I could not have gone through such a major change and walked into the unknown without first getting to know myself on a deeper level; a spiritual level. Although I had always considered myself spiritual, I had not taken this part of myself serious enough, and, in retrospect, had actually been taking it for granted. Like so many people, I leaned on spirit during times of suffering and tended to put it aside when things were going 'well' as life just plugged along. But, when my health was in jeopardy, and life-threatening accidents were becoming a regular occurrence, spirit got my attention and gave me a final call to come back home. Out of breath, I ran, and I took the call. I listened to the guidance with all my senses, all my Being. I had to get myself back in balance. Even though I had a supportive husband and happy marriage, I still had no real sense of safety. There was something in 'me' that craved a deeper sense of belonging. I had work to do. I had to get grounded. Me, on my own, I had to do it. I deepened my yoga and meditation practice, learned about the body's energy system, and committed to never leaving 'home' again. I was finding my new tribe, my sense of belonging. I believe this saved my life.

In order to flow through these inevitable life-changes with a sense of peace, it is vitally important to know what it means to be grounded and work to sustain it. When we do this, we are better prepared to move 'with' life instead of against it. And change is not only inevitable, it is necessary, and in my opinion, ripe with opportunity. When we welcome change with an attitude of 'how this [event] might help me, make me stronger, or raise my awareness in some way', we find a sense of peace and life looks a little less scary. Sometimes a bit of curiosity even crops in. And when this happens, we start asking questions that help us uncover the root of a problem. We then have an opportunity to discover what may be holding us back or preventing us from standing firm in our place of belonging. Adding a sense of curiosity removes us from the situation for just a moment, allowing a fresh look, where we can see ourselves from a place of compassion. We do this by cultivating that sense of belonging; that place where it feels safe to step outside ourselves, detach, and observe with curiosity. The unknown then becomes familiar and beckons us to take another step. And before we know it, we are walking with confidence through the door of the unknown, only to find ourselves back home again.

Life isn't all about preparing for the 'inevitable' change though. Life is meant to be lived joyfully and with a sense of peace. But, the best way I know to do this is by getting the basics in order, the foundation, and then let it be. It is easier to 'let it be' when we know we've done our best to build solid ground for life's journey. Just like a house that has been retrofitted to withstand the 'big one' we can 'retrofit' ourselves by doing the basic work of getting our root chakra healthy. It is then easier to fall into that free-flowing state of joy. We can put our worries aside when we know we've done our best to cultivate a healthy environment that sustains our efforts of getting grounded. Prepare the basics, continually do the work on the root chakra, and let the other 'stuff' go. Then bask in the beauty around you, welcome change, and see the opportunities awaiting your arrival.

To continually reinforce the root chakra, it is necessary to have awareness of where we might feel a little weak, what action is needed to strengthen it, and to continually remind ourselves by writing an affirmation. Simple instructions on how to do this and tips on creating and sustaining a healthy root chakra can be found on my weekly blog. http://thetrinityoftruth.blogspot.com/

The next Chakra Talk! class is about Creative Expression and will be held August 24 at East West Bookshop of Seattle. The focus will be the second chakra, which is about our relationship to other things (people, money, jobs, etc) and the more creative aspect of our Being. When we express ourselves creatively, relationships with everything and everyone come more naturally with a flavor of fun, and greater sense of ease. Come learn about the second chakra and how it can open you up to new possibilities!