Grounding- G1 revisited

I've recently experienced a period of G1. For me that shows up as my mind is very busy, I mull and rethink options and as a result I'm challenged when I want to focus.

So this is what I know. Moving to a G5 (high groundedness) is always about coming back to knowing what is really True- that I am this Divine idea here and now... I just forgot. So I work knowing that idea with affirmative prayer. Sometimes I work with a Prayer Practitioner who can see this Truth, my Divine essence when I am not seeing it myself. The Practitioner provides a professional service which I pay for and they affirm Spiritual Truth- they pray- with me. In this context the prayer helps me remember my coming to G5 highest level of feeling connected to living, or grounded.

Then there are three other things I've been doing. One- I'm back in Nature- taking time to walk and observe and connect with the woods. Two- I work with my hands. I led a workshop on creating a prayer stick, in which the creation of the stick is really a solemn prayer. Selecting the stick and different colors of yarn, then applying the yarn with a splicing knot that absorbs all loose ends and then finally applying my personal carvings into the wood became a prayerful activity. Often the things we do in recognition and awareness of purpose become some of the most significant. And three- I intentionally exercise and breathe with an intention to move out of my mind and into my physical body. The body, the breath, the heart know a natural rhythm. I know after my Tai Chi class I feel better mentally and physically. My chest is opened up and I'm much more limber, from legs, lower back and shoulders.

Infinite Breath Exercise

Here is my favorite breathing technique. It comes from many teachers, most recently Don, and I am grateful to them all- both live and those on CD. I use it when I want to relax, move to greater calm or groundedness. It can also be used while lying down for greater relaxation into sleep.

• Stand with legs shoulder width apart. (lie down for sleep)
  
• Place your right hand over your abdomen with your right thumb touching your naval. Place your left hand over your right. Relax your knees, back straight and eyes facing forward
  
• Inhale through the nose and as you inhale, let the breathe go into your abdomen. Feel your hands move outward as your belly fills with air. Let it expand.
• Completing the inhale, begin to breathe out. At the final moment of exhale contract your abdomen to get a more full exhale, an emptiness.
• Then inhale again, this time pushing out your abdomen further than the last. Typically these muscles aren't used in our regular breathing patterns so gently help them remember full expansion as you inhale this time.
• Establish a rhythm of inhale and exhale. You can experiment holding the breath for a few seconds at the end of the inhale but I find it's great to have a flow, a rhythm of inhale to exhale, inhale to exhale. Continue for at least 10 breaths or 10 minutes or more- whichever you can support.
  
• I picture and map an infinity symbol with my breath. Breathing in I complete half of the symbol, a loop, mentally tracing it through my upper body. As I exhale I complete the lower half of the symbol with my breath going into the ground and back to my waist.
• Experiment and vary as you find what works best for you.
  

When you focus on the breath you will find that all other thoughts are removed. If you find you are thinking, just relax and go back to the breath. With regular practice this becomes more natural.