Almost everyone I know, myself included, is experiencing some major change in their lives, or in the lives of their loved ones. Many people are experiencing changes in more than one area. We tend to feel alone when these things happen, often not recognizing that others are also struggling. Or we may take the opposite approach and commiserate with others, sharing the doom and gloom, and getting into a place of fear and anxiety about our lives and our world. I know for myself it is helpful to look through a broader lens and to recognize that these changes may be exactly what need to happen in order to bring our personal and collective lives into more balance and harmony. I'd like to offer some insight and concrete ways of managing these changes, based on the work of my teacher, Jim Self.
There is a shift underway that is affecting every aspect of life on our planet: institutions, relationships, the environment, work, and what we think and feel. Massive amounts of information, in the form of huge waves of Light, are re-wiring our DNA, upgrading the body's physical, emotional and mental systems, aligning us with a higher awareness. This Shift, or transition, is exciting and wonderful. However, it is also creating physical and emotional difficulties for many of us as we hold on to the limitations and beliefs of the 3rd dimension.

I use a very effective tool with my clients for quieting the mind and reducing stress, bringing the mind and body back into ease and rebalancing the energy system. The Grounding Line has existed in various forms and is an important aspect of many spiritual practices. It helps to keep thoughts and attention in the present, lowers the center of gravity, creates a more solid, steady feeling in the body and prevents a person from physically losing balance.

To begin, sit with the feet flat on the floor and bring your attention to your breath, focusing gently on the inhalation and the exhalation. You might give yourself the suggestion that each time you exhale you become more and more relaxed. Allow the eyes to close and the hands to rest gently on the lap. Bringing your attention to your feet, imagine that there are roots extending through the bottom of your feet and deep into the earth. Allow yourself to feel a greater sense of connection to the earth. Then gently bring your attention to the end of your spine. Imagine a line or cord of energy running from the end of the spine into the center of the earth and see yourself anchoring this cord at both ends, in whatever way feels right to you. Once the energy line is anchored imagine that the line of energy is expanding in width, to a diameter of 4-5 inches, changing into a tube through which you will release negative thoughts and energy which no longer serve you.
Once your tube is created, gently bring your attention up to the center of your head. Simply give the command for all the thoughts don’t serve you to begin to be released down through the body and out through the energy tube. You do not have to think about this; your higher mind will know exactly what to release. Allow that process to continue until you feel that it is slowing down.
Then gently bring your attention to the area of your heart and solar plexus. Now give the command to release all negative emotions and physical sensations from the body. Again, your higher mind will know exactly what to do. Allow this process to continue until it feels complete.
Once complete, bring your attention back to the end of the spine and imagine that the energy tube is shrinking and retracting back into the body. It will be available to use any time you feel the need to quiet the mind and calm the body. Bringing your attention to your feet, imagine the roots coming back through the earth and into your feet and legs. Close the chakras on the bottoms of your feet. Sit quietly for a few moments allowing the energy to settle and the mind/body to experience the sense of inner quiet and peace. Slowly open your eyes and begin to bring small movement back into your body.
The Grounding Line and Calling Yourself Back Meditations are available on CD from Cathy. Please contact her at Spirit Matters to obtain a copy.

Author's Bio: 

Catherine Ewing-Rinker, LCSW, MDiv is a spiritually focused psychotherapist, EFT Practitioner,Certified Dream Coach, Passion Test Facilitator, Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking and Reiki Master Teacher. She has been a student of the mind/body/spirit connection for nearly 20 years and is trained many different healing modalities. She is also an author, workshop leader, speaker and founder of Spirit Matters, LLC, a holistic healing center. She teaches classes at Manchester Community College and the UConn School of Social Work STEP Program. Cathy is passionate about helping people release old traumas, beliefs and emotions that keep them feeling stuck and unfulfilled. She reconnects people to their true spiritual nature, allowing them to step out of their story and into a life of passion and purpose.

Prior to her work as a psychotherapist and healer, Cathy worked for many years in the areas of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and school social work, both in direct service and as a trainer. A life-long learner and spiritual seeker, Cathy brings a broad understanding of spiritual and metaphysical principles and a wide variety of practical tools and resources into her trainings.