Trees Don’t Question Who They Are

A grounding meditation connecting with the Earth. Listen to the guided practice. Insight Timer +‍ ‍YouTube

The more connected we are to our own body, the more we can be present in our experiences, connect with other people, and with Earth itself.

Feeling isolated and disconnecting from our body is part of how we protect ourselves. Just as the mind has a negativity bias where we focus more on what can go wrong, it can also default to disconnection as a kind of safety response.

Looking around at what's near us can bring more accuracy in assessing our present moment and offer cues of safety. That might be something we see, like pictures we love, feel on our skin, like a cooling breeze, or hear.

In addition to your immediate environment, bring awareness of nature into the moment. You might be in nature now and you can also do this in your mind’s eye. Fear can make us hold back or close off. Nature is predictable based on what is happening. Certain environmental conditions create thunderstorms or blizzards or a calm sunny day or drought. The elements aren't vengeful. Even when nature is wild or there is harm, it isn't personal and it is not vengeful. Nature is doing its best.

Imagine your feet on the Earth, even if you're indoors. Notice the soles of your feet and the ground beneath you. Imagine what's below the surface, the soil, roots, water, and rock beneath your feet. Let your awareness sink deeper. Notice the life around you and within the earth, other creatures, plants, roots, and fungi, each one confidently being what it is, and doing what it does.

Redwood trees have roots that spread as wide as the tree is tall. A tree just does what it does, taking in sunlight, growing roots, giving off oxygen. A fish doesn't wish for shinier scales. A tree doesn't see its bent trunk as ugly. Doubts, core deficiency beliefs and self-judgment don't happen in nature. There's an integrity and ease in the natural world.

I am part of life on this earth.

Breathing in air, eating food, and sensing through our eyes and ears are ways we are already connected. Sometimes we bring our attention here and other times it is in the background.

Let yourself be, without judging. I am living in a body. I have a complicated life. I enjoy some moments and suffer in others. My mind is an amazing asset and brings joy and contemplation of meaning. I am often in other times and places instead of this moment.

We come back to this sense of connection with ourselves, plants, animals, and all of nature with kindness and a desire to release what keeps us from knowing our place in the world and nurture connection.

Bring your awareness back to the soles of your feet. Earth is massive and strong! Let that sense of power flow up through your legs. Continue up through your body, through your head and into the vastness of sky. Spread your awareness outward like the roots of the redwood trees. Open your arms to the energy of vibrant life.

Yes. I am part of life on this earth. I am worthy to be here.

Listen to the guided practice. Insight Timer +‍ ‍YouTube