Thick Naht Hahn writes,

I like to walk alone on country paths, rice plants and wild grasses on both sides, putting each foot down on the earth in mindfulness, knowing that I walk on the wondrous earth. In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality. People consider walking on water or thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is to walk on earth…a miracle we don’t even recognize.

The earth in its powerful existence supports us no matter what happens; the tragedy of war or the beauty of acres of wildflowers. Whatever is happening on the surface of our planet, the earth lies firmly beneath us.

What is equally steadying is the practice of mindfulness, meditation or prayer. Regardless of what is showing up in our lives having the grounding experience of connection becomes our foundation for when the pull of uncertainty attempts to take us off balance.

Same goes for the practice of yoga. To feel our feet resting solidly beneath us is a great reminder to pause and to feel what lies under us. Similarly the steadiness that can come from a practice enables us to be able to withstand any storm or war that we experience in our daily lives. We so often think and talk a lot about our problems, but that prevents us from being present, and therefore there problem still remains and our mind is a mess.

This week we will explore the richness of a grounding and steady practice while also using some of my favorite tree and bark essentials oils; juniper berry, cedarwood, vetiver, Douglas fir, siberian Fir, sandalwood and cypress.

Take a few moments this week to breathe in the energy of the earth and to soak up its grounding nature into your life. Let me know if you feel a little more steady and grounded in life’s daily grind.