Reflections: Grounding and staying in the light

I have a couple of habits that I believe contribute to my health and have helped me through a couple of incidents and headed off others before they became serious. Recently, I’ve been thinking those practices may symbolize some good spiritual habits as well. 

Some neighbors look at me like I’m crazy, but every morning I can possibly do so, I go outside barefooted into the yard. I’m fortunate to have yard space on the south side, so I even do it in the winter once the sun has warmed the grass. In addition, unless using a full-size tool for a larger project, I do my garden and flower-bed work kneeling directly on the ground. 

I’ve done some reading (not counting promo materials from people who sell grounding sheets, shoes, etc.), about how direct contact with the earth creates connections that help blood flow, nerves, etc. While I don’t know the details, I do know that many aches and pains, including what felt like sciatica starting to flare up, have disappeared after a short time in the grass or dirt. 

Another habit, sometimes concurrently with “grounding,” is turning directly toward the sun, eyes closed, to let its warmth penetrate my face and eyelids. Within a few minutes, I feel more alert; things seem clearer and I’m ready to tackle the day. It’s also a welcome break from screen time when I do a lot of writing. Again, I don’t know how it works; I recommend anyone with serious eye issues talk to their eye care professional before trying it, but I’ve actually experienced better vision plus improvement in the effects of a broken blood vessel. 

Although I have had positive results, the point here is not medical advice; it’s the realization that simple things can also give spiritual insight. Staying grounded, for example—there are numerous agricultural symbols in Scripture; the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:17-18 to stay “rooted and grounded in love,” to “have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ.” Jesus compared himself to a vine, and exhorted his disciples to stay connected in order to produce fruit—becoming more like Him and sharing the Gospel. 

Many scriptures also refer to light. John’s Gospel says of Jesus, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:4-5). Later, John wrote to the early churches, “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 

A recent Globe column referenced Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” about people who have known only darkness and resist turning toward the light. Do we tend to become comfortable in spiritual darkness, as world news, social media and just plain busyness crowd out time in God’s Word or Christian fellowship? It takes time and effort to turn toward the light, and to stay grounded, but just as I feel better when I get out of my chair and outdoors for some grounding and light, the effort is worth it!