GROUNDING
Grounding refers to how well a person can 'materialize' his or her dreams; the ability to bring an idea or desire from the mental stage into the physical world. It is through this process that we “lay down roots” for ourselves and earn feelings of belonging, because what we bring forth onto the earth we must nurture. This requires commitment and consistency and these are characteristics that are essential to emotional and physical health.
The investment with this chakra begins with infancy, in having our primary physical needs for safety met as babies. Without this foundation strongly in place, the maturation process cannot proceed in a healthy and balanced way. The insecurities that result from feeling unsafe in one's physical environment become the controlling influence in the next stages of personal development, like unfinished business that will not rest until it is brought to completion.
ISSUES
Physical family-group safety and security. Not being able to provide for life's necessities and/or to stand up for yourself. Abandonment fears, loss of family bonding, loss of identity, tribal honour code, support and loyalty. Excluding others, prejudice and illusions of superiority. Risking extravagance and allowing luxuries when our foundation is that of scarcity. Feeling that the external world is a threatening place, and that you are unable to protect yourself. The insecurity of feeling that: 'no place is home’ that you do not belong anywhere. The feeling that you are alone in this world and unsupported by anyone. Shadow Victim archetype is an expression of the root chakra wound, where the need to belong predominates. Fear-based information feeds the shadow Victim and causes you to look outside yourself for comfort, answers, support and empowerment.
SURVIVAL
Survival demands awakening our consciousness. Threats to survival stimulate the adrenal glands for that burst of extra energy needed to fight or flight. In order to consolidate our energy we must first see that our survival needs are met in a healthy and direct way. One who is perpetually plagued by health problems or constantly struggling with financial crisis is caught on this chakra level. Unresolved conflicts, whether it be physical, circumstantial, or psychological, is keeping their consciousness trapped at this level. There is usually an insecure, panicky feeling-one which may pervade other areas of life, even when there is no need for it. As long as these situations remain unresolved, the person will have difficulties raising any appreciable amount of consciousness to higher levels.
Without grounding we are unstable; we lose our centre; fly off the handle; get swept off our feet, or daydream in a fantasy world. We lose our ability to contain, to have, or to hold. Natural excitement becomes dissipated, diluted and ineffectual. Our attention wanders from the present moment, and we appear to be “not all there”.
The stress of competition and fast living, do not give us a chance to rest and renew, or to process pain and release it. As we develop pain, we become, ironically, more resistant to grounding, for to ground is to be “in touch”, and getting in touch means feeling that pain. Yet, this is our first step in making ourselves whole so that we begin to heal. As we become more mechanized and urbanized, our contact with the Earth and nature becomes more tenuous, and with it our health and self-worth. When we have a sense of Self that comes from the body, we have less need to affirm ourselves through an inflated ego. Ground is home-safe, familiar and secure.
The investment with this chakra begins with infancy, in having our primary physical needs for safety met as babies. Without this foundation strongly in place, the maturation process cannot proceed in a healthy and balanced way. The insecurities that result from feeling unsafe in one's physical environment become the controlling influence in the next stages of personal development, like unfinished business that will not rest until it is brought to completion.
ISSUES
Physical family-group safety and security. Not being able to provide for life's necessities and/or to stand up for yourself. Abandonment fears, loss of family bonding, loss of identity, tribal honour code, support and loyalty. Excluding others, prejudice and illusions of superiority. Risking extravagance and allowing luxuries when our foundation is that of scarcity. Feeling that the external world is a threatening place, and that you are unable to protect yourself. The insecurity of feeling that: 'no place is home’ that you do not belong anywhere. The feeling that you are alone in this world and unsupported by anyone. Shadow Victim archetype is an expression of the root chakra wound, where the need to belong predominates. Fear-based information feeds the shadow Victim and causes you to look outside yourself for comfort, answers, support and empowerment.
SURVIVAL
Survival demands awakening our consciousness. Threats to survival stimulate the adrenal glands for that burst of extra energy needed to fight or flight. In order to consolidate our energy we must first see that our survival needs are met in a healthy and direct way. One who is perpetually plagued by health problems or constantly struggling with financial crisis is caught on this chakra level. Unresolved conflicts, whether it be physical, circumstantial, or psychological, is keeping their consciousness trapped at this level. There is usually an insecure, panicky feeling-one which may pervade other areas of life, even when there is no need for it. As long as these situations remain unresolved, the person will have difficulties raising any appreciable amount of consciousness to higher levels.
Without grounding we are unstable; we lose our centre; fly off the handle; get swept off our feet, or daydream in a fantasy world. We lose our ability to contain, to have, or to hold. Natural excitement becomes dissipated, diluted and ineffectual. Our attention wanders from the present moment, and we appear to be “not all there”.
The stress of competition and fast living, do not give us a chance to rest and renew, or to process pain and release it. As we develop pain, we become, ironically, more resistant to grounding, for to ground is to be “in touch”, and getting in touch means feeling that pain. Yet, this is our first step in making ourselves whole so that we begin to heal. As we become more mechanized and urbanized, our contact with the Earth and nature becomes more tenuous, and with it our health and self-worth. When we have a sense of Self that comes from the body, we have less need to affirm ourselves through an inflated ego. Ground is home-safe, familiar and secure.
SUGGESTIONS TO CLEANSE AND ACTIVATE YOUR
ROOT CHAKRA
- Be patient when things go wrong so you do not waste your energy on being angry or frustrated.
- Always affirm that things can come about in a positive way for you, even if you become confused or things don't work out in the beginning.
- Learn to accept change as a normal occurrence in life.
- Trust in life and know that everything will be all right eventually. This will alleviate fear.
- Make a chart of your short-term and your long-term goals so that you can see where you're going even in the midst of moments that are uncertain.
- Be grateful for what you do have, instead of lamenting that which you do not have.
- Have a sense of humour no matter what is going on, even in the midst of challenges.
- Inappropriate levels of fear can be a sign that this chakra foundation is damaged.
- Love life!. Connect with the earth and nature.