Last Sunday, during the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, New Jersey’s morning worship service, my mind went to the beach. The Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister, mentioned she finds rest at the shore. She vividly spoke about a bee who paid her a visit landing on her leg. Well, there was more to the sermon that resonated but that had me picturing the beach. And, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, I did have to quickly get my mind back into the tech booth.
It may just be me, but the only time I am ever truly relaxed or, as we Pagans call it, grounded and centered is right there. Sure, I can ground and center with other methods and they’re effective enough, but nothing compares to the beach. Once my toes hit the sand I am transformed into another being. My elder the Rev. Foxxy (Sher) Pullen says that my inner otter emerges and she is right.
There is no other place in the world where I can walk barefoot without a care in the world. She teases me about this, but sadly, it’s true. It could be 100 degrees and I still need socks on, or so I believe. Rarely I’ll wear sandals without socks for a very brief period in very hot weather. I always carry socks and shoes in my car. The beach is the exception to this odd rule of mine.
Plant me in the sand and it feels natural, as if I belong there. My feet sink in the hot gritty soft ground and nothing else matters. I’m transformed. I’m not thinking about bugs or sand crabs. I’m enjoying the sand. I place a blanket down and lay on the sand. My feet sink deeply into the sand, stretching my arm out to graze the tan crystals with my hand. The hot sun’s rays beat down on me. I no longer have back pain and my emotions are uplifted.
I can lay back and listen to the ocean’s waves crashing onto the beach all day long. It’s probably the only way I can sit— or lay—still. OK, at some point I may jump in the cold refreshing water and swim or try and float some too. Likewise, this is my form of grounding.
So when I have trouble grounding and cannot get to the beach or blast the music that is my go to meditation. I’ll put on my headset and listen to the sounds of the ocean. It’s not quite the same but it does work. Moreover, it’s not the easiest for me to achieve yet even with the sounds. I try the best that I can and that is all we can do.
Since the pandemic, I have only really been to the shore once. Through meditation, however, I somewhat transported myself there a few times. Once or twice I managed to astral travel there- just not when I tried. However, I’ll discuss that another time.
Everyone, I believe, needs that “go to” place. This place is where they are the most calm, happy and relaxed. Moreover, this is when you can easily achieve centeredness. For me that place is the beach. Sitting on the jetties if the shore I go to has them.
The first time I encountered jetties was at Long Beach Island, I sat there for quite awhile. Quickly, my mind got lost there watching the water wash up, foam up and then wash back away over and over.
Luckily for me, the pool water has just about the same effect as the shore. I’m able to spend a lot of time there…in the summer…for two short months… and a few weeks. I can lay on my back and float without a raft and just watch the clouds go by. Sometimes I get the floatable foam skateboard I purchased at my old job quite a few years ago. I hold it like an otter holds a log and let the current take me away. My elders nicknamed me appropriately, at least I think so.
I mentioned grounding and centering quite a few times in my blogs. This is an essentially important tool for everyone and everything we do in life. Nothing good comes from stress and nervousness. Grounding and centering helps us relax and at the same time focus. Therefore, having a good visualization handy will get you to that place when you just can’t physically do so.
There are many different ways to achieve this outdoors and indoors. Any method will take a bit of practice and fine tuning; a few may come naturally for you. The ones that work easily you should recognize automatically.
Perhaps, the hardest part isn’t the act of grounding and centering, but finding your ‘go to’ place to get away. Therefore, for me it’s the water and sand, the smell of the ocean, the sound of the seagulls almost laughing. For some people it might be the crackle of the campfire. It could be the autumn wind or the crispness of the leaves crunching under their feet. Maybe, it’s gazing at the snow as it floats down or even skiing and making snow fairies.
Sift through your memories to find a place where you were relaxed, calm, and happy. That may become your “go to” place, or you may have several and switch them up depending on the weather or your mood. After all, we can’t all enjoy the hot summer. So, find what works and use it.
See also: Centering and grounding — two peas in a pod — can’t have one without the other
Daydreaming, astral travel, planning ahead — they’re all related
Astral Travel – Not Mind Games; No Need to be Afraid of the Dark
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