Stay in Touch with Yourself

Have you noticed that a blind person sees with his ears? And he can see many subtle nuances which eyes cannot see. He becomes more perceptive. By the sound, by the tone, by small wavering in the tone, fluctuations, he starts seeing deeply into you. He starts seeing many things. Even by your footsteps, by the sound of your footsteps, he starts recognizing many things in you. Are you a man rooted in the earth? Grounded in the earth? A blind person can see just by your footsteps - he can hear whether you are grounded or not. We all move in a different way, walk in a different way. Some are not grounded at all and some are tremendously grounded. The grounded ones are in deep contact with the earth. They are nourished by the earth; the earth is nourished by them. There is a continuous transfer of energy.

Ordinarily many of us are like uprooted trees. We walk as if we are uprooted; we don’t have roots in the earth, we are not grounded. We are in a rush. We are making haste. A compression of time characterizes many of our lives. Instantaneity rules everywhere. Fast food restaurants add express lanes. Even reading to children is under pressure. The volume One-Minute Bedtime Stories consists of traditional stories that can be read by a busy parent in only one minute. Look around, there are places and objects that signify impatience. Time is a gentle deity, said Sophocles. Perhaps it was, for him. We humans have chosen speed, and we thrive on it – more than we generally admit. Our ability to work and play fast gives us power. It thrills us. Not so long ago, for most people, listening to the radio was a single task activity. Now it is rare for a person to listen to the radio and do nothing else.

With this madness and chaos all around us, let us try something simpler. Just stand with naked feet on the earth or on the sand on a beach and just feel that your legs are like roots and that they are reaching deep into the earth. And start swaying with the wind like a tree. Forget that you are a human being, think of yourself as a tree, and soon you will see something transpiring between you and the earth. It may take a little time because you have forgotten the language, but one day you will see something is transpiring. Something is given by the earth to the feet and you are also returning, responding. And the day it happens you will start talking in a totally new way - rooted, solid, not fragile, not sad, more alive, full of energy. You will be less tired and your footsteps will have a different quality.

1. Live simply and live deliberately. By choosing not to get caught up in the details of this fast-paced world, you are doing your part to slow down the rat race and quell consumerism. You will also discover that you have more time to enjoy being alive.

2. Stay in touch with yourself. Soul searching, meditation, and journaling are just a few of the many activities you can take part in to stay aware and learn as much as you can about your emotions, reactions, likes, dislikes, dreams, and fears. Having a solid sense of self gives you a firm foundation for living in this world.

3. Support or teach others as often as you can. This can help you form connections with people while also giving you an opportunity to make the world a better place.

4. Consciously choose what you will allow into your being. The media bombards us with visions of hate, war, and pain. Be judicious about what you read, watch, and listen to.

5. Acknowledge the beauty that resides around you. Whether you live in a sprawling metropolis or a stereotypical suburb, there are natural and man-made wonders just waiting to be discovered by you.

6. Nurture your ties to your tribe. If you don't have one, create a community that you can belong to. Modern life can be isolating. When you have a tribe, you have a circle that you are a part of. Its members - loved ones, friends, or neighbors - can be a source of support, caring, guidance, and companionship.

7. See the larger picture. Remember that the way that you choose to live is not the only way to live. Widen your perspective by exploring other modes of being through research, travel, and discussion.

8. Embrace the challenges that life presents to you, and challenge yourself often. After a time, even the most exciting jobs or lifestyles can seem routine. Never stop assimilating new knowledge about whatever you are doing, and your life will never seem dull.

9. Move your body. In this busy world, it can be easy to live a sedentary life. Movement reacquaints us with our bodies and connects us to the earth in a visceral way. It also restores our vitality.

10. Make time for stillness, silence, and solitude. The world can be noisy, and we are subject to all kinds of noises nearly every waking hour. We are also often "on the go" and unable to relax. Being alone in a peaceful place and making time for quiet can help you stay in touch with yourself.

Becoming grounded helps us in re-balancing energy. With excess energy being channeled to the ground, we also become better activated in higher awareness. Our mind becomes sharp, clear and focused. Creativity also goes up in the process. With less mental noise, we are much better able to “catch” inspired thoughts.