Connectedness and Balance

This past

year, 2020, has been difficult for many and challenging for most. In the least, it has ushered in an understanding that change is something which we all have to deal with for the foreseeable future. I have been approached by several beautiful souls asking me about what they should do or how they can survive during this time. My only answer has been this, “be true to yourself and your understanding of what is, should be, and your own connectedness and balance.”

I’m sure you can imagine the looks I have received with this response. Know the response is very simple; concentrate on your self-care. During this time of change and seemingly unending challenges, only you can ensure your health and survival. This time period we live in is all about tending to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.

So, how do we do this? Connectedness and balance are maintained through practice. This is not something which magically appears and is sustained for a lifetime. It is established through hard work, commitment, and determination. In what you may ask? Yourself. Establishing a practice of what works for you to maintain your energy and mental stamina in dealing with the daily “stuff” being thrown at you.

Self-care is very important and will help you in the long run when it comes to maintaining balance and connectedness. So, where can you start? Meditation should come first before anything else. Why? Meditation is a support tool in assisting you to relax and release. One of the benefits of meditation is being able to get rid of, what I call, the “ick.” What is the “ick?” This is energy you pick up throughout the day that exhausts you, causes negative emotional reactions, and prevents you from being able to effectively connect with the world around you. Think of it like this: the “ick” is like a heavy rubber wet suit surrounding your regular energy field. Nothing can easily get through and it sticks to you until you take it off.

Meditation should be a regular practice you undertake to calm your mind and release the everyday “stuff” triggering stress and anxiety. Meditation is something you need to develop so it works for you. There is no perfect “way” of practicing meditation; it’s whatever works for you. Know that meditation can help you in being able to concentrate on improving your energy (balance) through grounding.

Grounding is the practice of clearing your energy and re-energizing. Grounding is a basic practice performed to become “grounded” with the energies around you. Grounding may be called by many names; Earthing, Qi, Prana, Innate Intelligence, Mana, Pneuma, Odic Force, Orgone, etc. The concept of grounding has been in existence for much longer than modern medicine and relates to the developed practice of energy management and developing balance and connectedness within the person. Understand, everything is energy and you can tap into these energy sources to raise your vibrational (mental and spiritual) energy. How do you do this? There are many different ways to ground yourself.

Earthing is a great way of grounding yourself and being able to energize your vibrational energy. Years of research by the medical and scientific communities have shown connecting to the Earth’s natural energy can improve spiritual connectedness as well as physical and mental ailments. This “connection” is called Earthing. Earthing refers to a physical connection which takes place between the electrical biofield of the human body and those of the Earth. The Earth is a constant and consistent source of energy which contributes to a balance in mind, body, and spirit. Haven’t you ever just wondered why it feels so good to walk barefoot in the sand on the beach or through a beautifully manicured grassy lawn?

Another key concept in balance and connectedness is “self-healing.” This concept is a process of different personal practices used to successfully treat and/or prevent illness through the use of natural techniques. Some of the techniques you may consider are herbals, acupuncture, Qi, I Ching, Reiki, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), exercise, and a natural diet. These techniques are guided by a holistic approach that the body, mind, and spirit must be in balance to be healthy.

The final concept to consider in establishing a practice of self-care is Shadow Work. Shadow work was first introduced by the Swedish psychologist Carl Jung and is all about your journey and self-introspection. It’s about rediscovering “all” of you. The parts of your personality that are observable, your forward face, is recognizable and understood by yourself and others. This, in psychological terms, is called the ego. Your shadow is the part of your mind that directly or indirectly influences your emotions and behavior when you are “triggered” by an experience (the id). This influence may be recognized or completely unknown by you. The shadows are the things you have buried, ignored, or refused to address throughout your life.

Shadow work is spiritual work. Through the process of facing your shadows, you begin to address the fundamental relationships you have within yourself. By acknowledging the shadows, you welcome your spirit to further evolve and become open to spiritual development. Without addressing the shadows, you are cut off from a basic part of your own being. Your spirit is both light and shadow. Without knowing both you can’t fully experience a spiritual journey.

In examining “self-care,” balance is the key to connectedness. Being out of balance may be a cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). CFS can present itself in the symptoms of recurrent sore throats, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, migraines, and bowel discomfort. Common energy and fatigue symptoms are lethargy, exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, and chronic fatigue.

As we all deal with the daily challenges of life, it is crucial to maintain a practice of “self-care.” This is whatever you choose and works for you. Balance and connectedness in this time of change and difficulty will lead to a greater understanding and knowledge of how tending to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs will guide you on your journey.