Secrets of Shamanism

(^54) SECRETS OF SHAMANISM
when you start to put your shoes in the refrigerator or you
feed your cat Cheerios instead of catfood. You know you are
ungrounded when you walk across a room to get something
and no longer remember what it is you went there to get.
Perhaps you have spent time searching high and low for your
keys, only to find them in your pocket. Experiences like
these usually mean that you are out of touch with the natural
elements around you, that you no longer know how you are
reacting to them. The connection between your physical
body and your spirit body at these times is tenuous.
The secret to being grounded is to become aware of the
web of power that manifests throughout your environment:
through the sun, the moon, the stars, the air, the rain, the
plants, and the more mobile living creatures around you. It is
always easier to remain grounded outdoors than in an iso-
lated indoor environment, where you are subjected to
cramped conditions. Shamans therefore prefer to remain
outdoors a good deal of the time. The connection between
the spirit body and the physical body tends to be stronger out
of doors.
How TO GROUND YOURSCLT
Even if you work or live in a city environment where you
are forced to be indoors much of the time, you can find ways
to ground yourself by periodically taking a ten-minute break
out of doors. The simple act of moving into a relationship
with the natural elements makes you more real. It is hard to
be ungrounded or spaced out when you are buffeted by a
breeze, warmed by the sun, splashing in the rain, or crunch-
ing through the snow. You automatically become more aware
and more real.
Exercise #6: Grounding
This shamanic method of grounding yourself to the earth
takes about five minutes. First, relax and close your eyes.
Take a couple of deep breaths. Become aware of your physi-
cal body from top to bottom, then shift your awareness to
the earth directly below you. Even if you are in a tall build-
ing, you can still stretch your awareness downward into the
layers of strata, rock, clay, and dirt until you become aware
of the molten quality of inner earth. As you move down, say
hello to each part of the earth. Remember that shamanically
speaking, the earth is alive and responsive to your attention.
The earth spirit delights in being acknowledged and is over-
joyed to serve you as a result.