Connecting with the Power of Place:
A Meditation Practice
Within and around the earth,
Within and around the hills,
Within and around the mountains,
Your power returns to you.
A Tewa Prayer
That is why the old Indian sits upon the Earth instead of propping himself up and away from its life giving forces. For him to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more clearly and feel more keenly. The old Lakota knew that man's heart away from nature becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for living things soon led to lack of respect for humans too.
Luther Standing Bear
In October of 1988 I had a remarkable visionary experience at the sacred mountain of Dibe Nitsaa (Mt.Hesperus) in Colorado. While climbing the mountain a simple meditation technique was revealed to me. I began to do the meditation each day and over the ensuing years it became an important part of my life. It has given me a way to deeply connect with the sacred sites as well as a profound sense of inner peace.
The meditation may be done anywhere at anytime. However, it is most enjoyable to do it in a quiet place when you are not rushed for time. Indoors is fine; outside, sitting directly on the earth, is even better. The technique is very simple to learn and do. To begin, sit with your eyes closed. Gently regulate your breathing so that each breath is slow and easy, with the inhalation and exhalation being generally of an equal duration. The slowing of your breath helps to focus your attention so that you can begin to feel the celestial and terrestrial energies passing through your body. These energies do not come into the body through the breath; rather they pass through the top of your head and base of your spine (the location of the first and seventh chakras according to esoteric Hinduism). Breathing in a slow, regular manner allows you to feel these energies, add your own energy of love to them and then direct this combined energy outward from your body as a life-energy beam.
Do the three-breath sequence at least ten times whenever you sit to practice. If you have more time and want to develop an intimate relationship with these energies, practice the sequence for thirty minutes to an hour a few times each week. During the first month of practicing the meditation it may be necessary for you to mentally visualize the celestial and terrestrial energies passing through your body. With consistent practice you will begin to physically feel the energies and will soon realize they are in fact always flowing through your body. The more you practice this technique the deeper you will experience connection with and love for the living Earth.
The Sacred Sites Meditation Technique
Breath # 1
Celestial Energy
During inhalation draw celestial energy into your heart. The energy enters the body through the crown chakra at top of head and passes down to the heart chakra in the middle of the chest.
During exhalation add your own energy of consciousness and then direct both energies down through the root chakra at base of the spine and into the Earth.
Breath # 2
Terrestrial Energy
During inhalation draw terrestrial energy into the root chakra at the base of the spine and then up to the heart chakra.
During exhalation add your own energy of consciousness and then direct both energies up through the crown chakra at top of head to the celestial realm.
Breath # 3
Both energies at same time
During inhalation bring both the celestial and terrestrial energies into your heart at same time.
During exhalation add your own energy of consciousness to the celestial and terrestrial energies and send all three energies out from your heart in every direction, as in a constantly expanding sphere. After this exhalation, begin with breath #1 again.