Feel That You Belong

Here at Shine, we talk a lot about getting or feeling grounded. And in a literal sense, we mean to feel connected to the ground beneath you, whether that's your chair or the floor beneath your feet. But it's so much more than that. You see, grounding is a key step to help you create a sense of belonging. Meditation teacher, Sebene Selassie, likes to think of it this way: Our breath and body are our tools to ground ourselves, to help us step out of our anxieties and doubts for a moment. And once we're in the present moment, then we can feel a sense of true belonging. We can feel a sense of connection to the now, and all the other beings and things in this moment with us. It's something that definitely takes practice. And today, we'll try an exercise that Sebene recommends. It's called the "Four Elements Practice," and it's all about using earth, fire, water, and air as a way to anchor ourselves and remember that we belong. So, start by getting in a comfy position. Take a long deep breath in and out. Another one in and out. Softly close your eyes. Place your right hand on your stomach and your left hand on your heart, or imagine the sensation of doing so. Keep breathing deep, feel the energy of these spaces. Notice where the air rises and falls. And if there's any tension, send some love there on your next breath, connect to your body right now. Let your hands slowly rest at your sides. And now let's explore the element of earth. If you are sitting, bring your awareness to where your body meets the chair or couch, or notice where your feet meet the earth. And on your next exhale, try to relax your muscles, and let yourself really sink into the support below you. Notice the weight of your body pressing down on the earth, and how the earth responds holding you up, a constant dance in unison. And know this is the same ground beneath everyone across the planet. We are all held up by this same earth. Savor this for a moment. Now, we'll move on to fire. As you breathe deeply, start to notice the warmth in your chest, around your heart, as your chest rises and falls, and your stomach as it moves up and down too. And as you exhale, notice the warmth of your breath entering the space around you, warming the air around you, breathing in and warming our bodies, and out, warming the world around us. We all carry this warmth and heat within us, sending it out into the world around us. Take that in for a moment. Now, it's time for the element of water. We often forget, but we are made up of mostly water, and nearly 3/4 of your brain and your heart are made up of water. It's flowing and moving through your body all the time,...