by Rachel Ginther

Winter is the time to celebrate the harvest and take stock of our accomplishments. How did our year’s experiences impact our relationships with our Self, family, friends, community and environment; what worked and what needs changing? Nature has a built in reflection period. Trees and plants go dormant while animals and other creatures hibernate or are recycled. The things that didn’t work in Nature do not return, those parts of Nature’s existence that do work, continue.

How do we get so out of touch with what works in our own lives? We are intrinsically tied to the natural world, our physical bodies are designed to be in harmony with the cycles of nature. Our challenge, as a society and culture, is our lost sense of that connection. We haven’t actually lost the connection, that’s an impossibility, but we have lost the sense or the feeling of being connected. Connection goes by many names, some call it community, some call it energy, some call it love, some God, Great Spirit, Everything, Nothing. The name itself matters not, it’s the feeling that compels us to search.

What does Connection do for us? It allows us to know when to rest, when to move forward, when to eat, when to sleep, it puts us in touch with what we really need to be happy and healthy. Look at a infant or a child, they sleep when they’re tired, even if it means face down in the mashed potatoes. They want to eat when they’re hungry, never mind the clock. They will automatically gravitate to what feels good to them and is best for their wellbeing.

What does Connection feel like? It’s a belonging, it’s an alignment, it’s having a sense of place, it’s a feeling of peace. How do we create and then recreate that feeling of Connection? Reconnecting with Nature will bring us back to that feeling of connection and help us to understand our place in the world.

Try this exercise:
Focus on one aspect of nature, choose whatever appeals to you in this moment. If you are feeling quiet and contemplative you might focus on water; a lake, a stream, a droplet, a storm. Sit or stand and focus your attention on that water, take a few deep breaths and settle your body, your mind and emotions. If you are having trouble doing this, bring the things that are bothering you up in your mind and send them into the water, let them flow away if there’s a current, or let them dissolve and dissipate. Keep releasing the thoughts and emotions that are distracting you until they wind down, this may take you more than one session of quietness. Concentrate on the water and feel it. Imagine it’s coolness, smoothness, how you feel after you’ve been in the water, clean and clear. As you do this, you will relax more and more and begin to feel peaceful. Breathe in the peacefulness of the water and as you do feel it clear you, clean you and balance your entire system. Feel the connection to the water and all of Nature. Bring this steady energy into your life.

Maybe your connection with Nature is through a different aspect, perhaps the air, then connect with the wind or the coldness of the air. Try the earth, plants, flowers, solidness and strength or fire, the sun, flames, movement. Or perhaps you respond best to a combination of these elements… the crisp scent of a fall day, the crunch of leaves, a light breeze on your face while the sun warms your back. Do whatever works for you.

This exercise will give you a powerful connection to whatever aspect of Nature you feel aligned with and with a little practice you can call up that feeling of connection by focusing on the element or elements any time you feel disconnected or out of balance. So take time over this period of quiet reflection to feel the Energy Within, find your connection with your Self, your people and your world.

Rachel Ginther, Alchemist, FSE
Currently Rachel produces 500+ Vibrational/Flower Essences & Aromatherapy products for spiritual evolution and provides fertile ground and sanctuary for those seeking personal growth through her holistic retreat and learning center, The Garden at Thunder Hill ~ A Center for Spiritual Evolution. New for 2010 ~ Sustainability Retreats! www.gardenofone.com ~ Tel: (518) 797-3373

I breathe deep and exhale all stress and tension from my body.  It feels so good to breathe deeply, so I do it again and again, releasing my breath with an audible sigh…ahhhhh.  I visualize and begin to feel how the holiday season evokes a feeling of joy and connection in my heart.  I decide in this moment that this holiday season will be unique to all the others, I feel this truth in my bones and I commit.  I decide that daily I will choose to awaken feeling inspired and connected to spirit and I express Gratitude for all I have in this moment.  I spend a few moments reflecting on the tasks and opportunities before me as I create a holiday experience in the true spirit of.  I Am committed to co-creating a balanced, simple and beautiful holiday season.  I repeat this affirmation and feel it in my heart until it becomes true.  Within a few mornings of breathing deep and repeating my affirmation I notice the subtle magic happening.  I am able to stay focused on simple meaningful gifts, within my budget.  Every time I feel bad about my budget, I give that thought to my angels, I stay aligned with my intention and I refuse the negative stories that could erupt in my head.  And I do, I stay within my budget and I feel satisfied with my gifts and connected to the people they are for.  Oh and did I mention that I’ve been invited to partake in one more secret Santa and I feel good, confident saying no, not this year, I am creating balance in the holiday for myself and saying no sometimes is how I do that.  Another nice deep breath for me. Suddenly I feel inspired to keep the food simple, just one or 2 deserts instead of  5 and then another miracle happens.  I ask for help and receive it.  My family members are supportive of my intention of a balanced, simple and beautiful holiday experience.  They help with cooking, cleaning and wrapping.  I release my need to control everything in order to create perfection, I allow creativity and community through this experience.  Another nice deep breath for me.  And then I realize my body could use a stretch or even a yummy salt bath and I breathe a little bit more and then I turn the TV off early to get some extra sleep.  Wow, I feel rested and supported and I have a joyful heart.  I feel the power in the choices I created.  This is the best holiday ever!

Close your eyes and take 3 Deep Breaths…

Send your energy down through your body, through your base chakra and soles of your feet into the Earth. Down through the building, the floor, down through the soil, through the rock and water, through the magma, all the way down to the center of the Earth. Connect with the core of the Earth, the colors are gold and red…. feel the love, strength, contentment and peace…. Now bring those energies, the red and gold spiraling together, bring them up from the core of the Earth, through the magma, through the water and rocks, through the soil back through the building and floor and back into your body, coming in through the feet and the base chakra. Now bring the energy up through your legs, your torso, up and all the way through your crown chakra and send it up out of the building, through the sky and all the layers of Earth’s atmosphere, past all the stars and planets, all the way to the Sun…. to the center of the Sun. Connect into the center of the Sun, feel it’s expansiveness, it’s omnipresence…. Now bring the energy of the Sun back down to Earth, bring it through the sky and atmosphere, bring it through your surroundings and back into your body through your crown chakra…. Send that energy all the way down through the pathway you’ve already created, to the center of the Earth. You have now connected both Heaven and Earth, male and female energies, electric and magnetic, cosmic and matter…. Bring your attention, and both energies, to your heart chakra and feel the two blending and melding in the crucible of the Heart. Now being a continuous cycling of the energies…. Send the energy from your heart to the center of the Sun, then loop that energy, in your mind’s eye, from the center of the Sun around to the opposite side of the Earth, bring it up through the center of the Earth and back into your body — create a cosmic orbit with your body as the conduit between Heaven and Earth. Try sending the energy the other way… send it down to the center of the Earth and then loop it around to the Sun, through the center of the Sun and back down through your body… See how the sensations differ and which one feels best for you in this moment.

3 Deep Breaths, open your eyes when ready…

This Grounding Meditation daily practice is created by Rachel Ginther, Alchemist, FSE and Co-Creator of the Garden of One Vibrational Products.  Rachel has been making Essences since 1994.  She has traveled extensively worldwide and brings a background of Sacred Living to all she does through teaching/sharing wisdom, writing, consulting and producing the Garden of One Vibrational Products which activate the healing potential within each of us and create Oneness/Union in Self, Planet and Cosmos.  Currently Rachel has a private practice seeing clients, produces almost 400 Vibrational/Flower Essences & Aromatherapy products* and founded and directs a not-for-profit retreat center, The Garden at Thunder Hill ~ A Center for Spiritual Evolution.  *Products are available at the Abundant Wellness Center.

- When sitting at the desk, put a book under your feet so that your knees are at the same level as your hips. When your knees are too low, it puts strain on your lower back – which can lead to backaches and shortening of muscles.

- Adjust the height of your computer monitor so that it is at eye level. If the screen is too high or too low, you are at risk for neck pain, spasms and headaches. When you need to take a closer look at the monitor, move your whole body forward, not just your head. Otherwise, you could develop an unsightly hump on your back.

- Avoid scrunching the phone receiver between your shoulder and your ear.  A headset is highly recommended.

- Move around.  Sitting in the same position for hours on end can cause muscles to tighten and shorten; this will create pain and limit your range of motion.

- Every few hours, get up and do a series of simple computer and desk stretches to loosen your muscles.  For example, grasp the underside of your seat with both hands to stabilize your shoulders; then tilt your head to each side, and touch your chin to your chest. This will stretch the sides and back of your neck.

- Take a 15 to 20 minute walk on your lunch break. This will not only get you out in the fresh air but increase your energy level.

- Gentle or Beginner’s Yoga classes consistently one to three times a week can help with flexibility.

- Receiving Acupuncture, Therapeutic Massage and/or a monthly Chiropractic can help relieve tension and stress caused by computer and desk work.