According to the ancient Daoists, we are all made up of 5 elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Harmony in life is achieved when we balance these elements.
We focus on increasing our earth element when we want to feel more grounded and centered. The earth element meditation is particularly helpful for those who feel a lack of stability in their lives, feel ungrounded, have trouble making and maintaining supportive relationships with others, want to build self-esteem and feel more secure, and/or want to be more nurturing. Due to the fact that the earth element relates to our spleen and stomach organs, this meditation will also help to strengthen these organs.
Earth Meditation:
The quickest way to strengthen your earth element is to literally get down in the dirt. Garden, play in the mud, or simply put your feet in the soil. Sit comfortably with bare feet on the ground, or even better, your feet on grass or open soil. Close your eyes and keep the image of the earth in your mind or gently focus your gaze on the earth. As you inhale, imagine breathing in light from the earth. As you exhale, imagine exhaling light into the earth.
Feel grounded and steady. Feel nurtured and supported. As you feel these feelings grow inside you, begin to breathe out nurturing and supportive energy. Imagine a warm maternal energy enveloping you, making you feel warm and safe. Open to the positive qualities of the Earth element; practicality, endurance, reliability, patience, the ability to make things grow and flourish, and unfaltering faith.
Finally, simply sit receptive to what the earth has to teach you. Do not judge. Simply allow whatever thoughts and feelings that come up to do so.
You may meditate for as long as you like, but typically between 20min to an hour is ideal.
