Grounding

By: Dr. Suzanne LaCombe and Dr. Carole Gaato
May 31, 2008.

If you think of your body as a source of energy, then grounding is a way to reduce the charge. Grounding effectively drains the energy in the same way a grounding wire draws away the electrical current in a house thereby creating a safe living environment. (That is, you're not going to get completely zapped when you put your finger in a wall socket!)

In the same way that a grounding wire secures physical safety, psychological grounding techniques bring comfort to the body.

Many folks use the strategy of planting their feet into the earth as a grounding technique. Others use their breath. By the way, in this context the feet and breath are known as "resources".

Just so you know, there's a difference between grounding and relaxation. Grounding, by definition, contains the element of awareness. For instance, as you ground, you are likely aware of energy flowing in your body. Relaxation may also have an awareness component (I might notice my shoulders are no longer hiked up around my ears) but it's not necessary.

I bet you've noticed that "willing yourself" to relax is practically impossible if you're all charged up. You see, you just can't force it.

Paradoxically, this same pent up energy may naturally dissipate in a walk alongside the ocean. Before you know it, you're feeling relaxed and calm.

Here's another way of looking at it. As your energy becomes more balanced, you're more grounded.

Keep in mind that grounding is a method whereas resources are the tools.

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