Becoming One With the Earth

Life is full of aches, pains, and stresses These things are the very products of our day in and day out lives, not because of our bodies or our bosses, but because we are out of tune with the world around us To be at ease within we must first be in sync with the world, a task which is not always easy to accomplish. There are, however, several simple exercises that, if used regularly, can help to reduce stress and even improve the quality of one's life in general.

1) Breathing: Even taking only about five minutes once or twice a day to really focus in on your breathing can make the day go that much better. Take a break out of your busy day, find a comfortable chair, relax, and start to feel your breath. Try to think only of your breathing, in and out, endlessly repeating, connecting you to the rest of humanity. Close your eyes and continue, living in the moment, in the breath, feeling both a sense of individuality and interconnection. Don't push other thoughts from your head but don't dwell upon them either; just let them pass through, focusing only on your breath.

2) Take a Walk: An other technique that can help one to resynchronize with the world's natural rhythm is to take a walk outdoors, even if it's only for 15 minutes a day. When you're walking, try not to focus on your day's problems or your concerns, but try to think about the natural world around you. Think about the basic life-force inherent in each plant, each animal you see. Consider what each is made of, and how you are similar to all other life, how you are a part of all other life and how it is a part of you. Again, if other thoughts come to you, don't try to push them away, but let them fade, not actively putting thought into them.

3) Lie on the Grass: Instead of sitting down and watching TV to relax, once a week try going outside and lying down on the grass Feel the grass and think about its life, how it connects to you and you connect to it. Center yourself. This technique can also be accomplished with a friend or spouse. Lie together on the grass and focus not only on the grass but also on each other, holding hands and lying close to one another. It can also be helpful to focus on one's breathing during this exercise, as it allows for a peaceful environment in which to do so.

With these three simple techniques one can begin to become one with all that is around him- or herself, synchronizing with nature in order to reduce stress and keep one's body and mind sound. To be at peace with the world is to be at peace with one's self, and therein lies the key to true happiness, a happiness that can be found only in unity and harmony.