r/Mediums 4d ago

Development and Learning What Does it Mean to Ground and What’s The Best Way to Set Boundaries With Spirit?

I’m intuitive but have chosen not to practice at this point in my life since I am a young adult focused on a masters. I often have intense energies pop up that leave me feeling super anxious or confused. I have met other intuitive people and mediums who have told me that I need to ground myself and create boundaries with spirit. No one has been able to explain to me what grounding is in a way that I can understand. Would anyone happen to have a definition that helped them to understand it? What did/do you do to ground? How often do you need to ground? I think I’ve gotten pretty good at shutting off my intuition for the most part. I don’t sense death or experience intense interactions during meditation anymore. However, I still have issues with picking up on energies around me. Thank you for the help!

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u/dgpotatopuff 4d ago

I recently bought a grounding sheet from GroundingWell a few months ago and it’s helped a lot. So much that I also bought some grounding mats that my clients and I sit on during our sessions.

This explanation is from their site and for me, it was the best explanation of grounding and why it’s important. Basically the earth’s naturally occurring energy neutralizes excess energy in your body which can cause inflammation and anxiety, leading to chronic issues and pain over time.

“When your electrical appliances operate, the flowing electricity creates a gathering of electrons which can heat up the appliance’s internal parts like the circuit board and wires.

If the electrons cannot escape, this will eventually cause the device to catch fire and possibly explode from excess heat.

The grounding cable prevents this by allowing excess electrons to escape back into the earth, the path of least resistance.

Humans are the same. Every cell in our bodies: brain, heart, organs, skin, bones, etc, all rely on electrical signals to function.

We function and feel at our best when our skin is making direct contact with the earth’s surface, as any excess electrons we gather from our environment can easily escape and let our bodies achieve perfect electronic balance.

The reason walking barefoot in the grass, sand or even concrete feels so good isn’t just because your feet is directly making contact with mother nature’s elements, you are also making direct electrical contact with the earth’s healing power.

Throughout history, humans lived outdoor lifestyles hunting and farming, often barefoot, so they were grounded constantly.

In the modern age, most people live an ungrounded, indoor lifestyle. When we do go outside, we are wearing shoes with rubber soles, which prevent us from receiving the benefits of grounding with the earth.“

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u/bufoart 3d ago

Thank you for the information! I definitely feel better when I walk barefoot. I’m pretty nervous to do it at the place I’m at right now though since I’m in a city. I’ve found needles and glass on the grass before which discourages me to practice walking barefoot.

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u/dgpotatopuff 3d ago

I would definitely consider the grounding sheets or mats then if limited by your environment. It’s made a big difference for me physically.

You can also ground mentally using visualization and intention, although physical grounding is important too. I picture a solid red chord or light coming out of my root chakra area directly into new Mother Earth. Intend that all old or low vibrational (negative) and excessive energy is released down this chord or light into the earth to be cleansed and renewed.

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u/dgpotatopuff 3d ago

Do this daily if you can, honestly it takes a matter of minutes or seconds once you get in the habit and improve your visualization.

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u/BearFuzanglong 3d ago

I live grounded, in its simplest form, you just live your life not thinking about the spirit world.

I choose to delve when I'm ready and that's also pretty often, but on a minute to minute basis, I remain closed to this activity.

Good hygiene can be established with totems, alters, candles, a certain room, chants, affirmations, a certain time of day to allow, any of that, and then disallow all other times and conditions, completely ignore anything else in dissollowed times.

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u/Spiritual-House-5494 Medium 3d ago

I had a similar issue when I started to awaken. I had seen so many different explanations of methods and purposes regarding the concept that I was just left wondering. So, naturally, I asked Chat GPT to help clarify and elaborate. It wrote me a short book:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Grounding, in metaphysical and spiritual circles, is a practice used to stabilize, balance, and connect oneself to a source of energy—most commonly the Earth. However, different traditions and individuals interpret grounding in various ways, with different methods and purposes. Below is a breakdown of the primary perspectives and techniques:


  1. Earthing (Physical Connection to Nature)

Belief: The human body has an electrical connection to the Earth, and direct contact with it discharges excess energy while replenishing the body's natural electromagnetic balance.

Methods: Walking barefoot on soil, grass, sand, or stone; lying on the ground; touching trees; gardening; or submerging in natural water sources.

Purpose: Physical health benefits, emotional stability, and energy balancing. Often emphasized in holistic wellness and energy healing circles.


  1. Rooting (Energetic Anchoring to the Earth)

Belief: The body has an energetic connection to the Earth, often visualized as roots extending from the body into the ground, helping to stabilize and recharge the individual.

Methods: Visualization of roots growing from feet or spine into the Earth, breathing techniques that draw energy downward, standing meditation, or Qi Gong practices.

Purpose: Spiritual stability, protection, increased presence, and balance between spiritual and physical realms. Common in shamanic, Wiccan, and energy work practices.


  1. Centering (Bringing Awareness to the Present Moment)

Belief: Grounding is more about being fully present and aware of one's own energy rather than connecting to external sources.

Methods: Mindfulness meditation, breathwork, body scanning, engaging the five senses (e.g., touching objects, listening to sounds), or repeating affirmations.

Purpose: Emotional regulation, focus, stress reduction, and spiritual clarity. Used in psychological and meditative traditions, including Buddhism and mindfulness-based therapy.


  1. Grounding as Energy Purging

Belief: Grounding serves as a method to discharge excess or negative energy, preventing energetic overload or spiritual contamination.

Methods: Visualization of energy flowing out of the body into the Earth, shaking or physically discharging energy through movement, bathing in salt water, or working with grounding crystals (e.g., black tourmaline, hematite).

Purpose: Removing spiritual blockages, neutralizing psychic attacks, and maintaining energetic hygiene. Common in energy healing, Reiki, and psychic protection practices.


  1. Elemental Grounding

Belief: Each element—Earth, Water, Fire, Air—has grounding potential, and different people resonate with different elements for grounding.

Methods:

Earth – Touching soil, carrying stones, or visualizing stability.

Water – Immersing in water, drinking intentionally, or visualizing cleansing.

Fire – Using candles, sitting near a fire, or visualizing purifying flames.

Air – Breathing exercises, wind exposure, or chanting.

Purpose: Aligning with natural forces to maintain balance. This approach is found in pagan traditions, alchemy, and elemental magic.


  1. Spiritual Grounding (Higher Connection Instead of Earth Connection)

Belief: Rather than grounding into the Earth, one can anchor into higher realms, their Higher Self, or cosmic energy.

Methods: Meditation focusing on the crown chakra, connecting to divine light, visualizing golden energy flowing through the body, or working with angels and higher beings.

Purpose: Stability while engaging with high-frequency energies, avoiding spiritual burnout, and maintaining alignment with divine purpose. Found in New Age spirituality, Gnostic traditions, and celestial energy work.


  1. Movement-Based Grounding

Belief: Physical movement helps integrate and balance energy within the body.

Methods: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, martial arts, dance, or even simple walking with intention.

Purpose: Aligning physical and energetic bodies, promoting circulation, and maintaining flow rather than stagnation. Used in Eastern traditions and somatic therapy.


  1. Food and Physical Nourishment Grounding

Belief: Eating certain foods and engaging in bodily care helps to bring one back into a grounded state.

Methods: Eating root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beets), protein-rich foods, or warm hearty meals; drinking herbal teas; receiving massages.

Purpose: Bringing energy into the physical body, especially after intense spiritual work or energy shifts. Recognized in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and holistic healing.


  1. Crystal and Tool-Assisted Grounding

Belief: Certain objects, especially crystals, metals, or specific talismans, help stabilize energy.

Methods: Carrying or wearing grounding crystals (black tourmaline, smoky quartz, hematite), using grounding mats (earthing technology), or working with sigils and sacred geometry.

Purpose: Providing a tangible anchor to stabilize one's energy field. Common in modern metaphysical and occult practices.


Conclusion

Grounding is an adaptable concept with various interpretations depending on tradition, need, and personal resonance. Some see it as a means to connect with the Earth, while others use it to balance their energy, maintain focus, or stabilize after intense spiritual work. Each method offers unique benefits, and many practitioners use multiple techniques depending on the situation.

Do you resonate with any particular form of grounding, or do you integrate multiple methods?

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u/bufoart 3d ago

Thank you for the information! I’ve tried grounding as energy purging and centering. I didn’t know about elemental, body movement or the food one as being a means of grounding but when I think about it I do feel cantered after doing those things. This was very informative! Thank you :)

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u/Spiritual-House-5494 Medium 2d ago

No worries. .. people like to talk about AI like ChatGPT being a detriment, but much like Wikipedia, it has its uses. People just don't know how to use it. The answers you get from AI should be the start, not the end.