Building Vitality by Re-Connecting to the Earth for Equinox

For our practice of the day, since we’re very close to the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the fall equinox in the southern hemisphere, we acknowledge these times of shifting and changing. During these times, the earth is shifting, and most of the time, unless we’re paying attention, we are not shifting along with it. Suddenly, we think we’re in one place, but the earth has moved on, and we find ourselves disconnected. It is helpful during equinoxes, solstices, and their midpoints to reconnect with the earth and practice grounding.

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We will engage in this practice tonight and likely again next week, as the equinox approaches. Our grounding practice involves getting energy into our feet, connecting to our lower abdomen vitality center, the lower Dantian or Hara center, as well as our solar plexus, the third chakra, which is the center of compassion and empathy.

While practicing, this can be done sitting, standing, or walking.

To start, let’s all notice our feet, whether we are sitting or standing. Pay attention to your toes, heels, and the middle of your foot. Feel how they connect to the ground beneath you, whether it’s the floor or another surface. We often neglect our feet, but they are the foundation of our connection to the earth. Periodically remembering our feet throughout the day can be beneficial. Now, gently curl your toes to activate the foot chakras, but not to the point of cramping. If your toes do not physically curl, simply setting the intention will still be effective. For those sitting, we will tap our heels rhythmically, and for those standing, we will alternate tapping one heel at a time. If walking, each step will involve tapping, which helps activate the foot chakras.

Simultaneously, place one hand below the navel and one above, tapping gently along the midline while tapping or walking.

We will go through the words in a call-and-response format a few times before chanting with a previously recorded version. Then, we will move into a meditation. We will chant, “Hayy Allahu Akbar, Hayy Aziz Jabbar, Hayy Allahu Akbar, Hayy Aziz Jabbar,” tuning into the life of the earth. “Allahu Akbar” signifies peace and power, which can be interpreted as the deep, peaceful place from which true strength manifests, much like the centered calm of a samurai. “Aziz” represents the power of creation, and “Jabbar” signifies mending strength. Through these divine names, we will bring energy to our power centers—our feet, lower abdomen, and solar plexus.

After chanting with the recorded section, we move into breath meditation.

Inhale “Hayy” to the bottom of the feet, then exhale “Hayy” to the bottom of the feet. Sitting may make this easier, but do what works for you. After a few repetitions, On each exhale, envision a taproot extending from your feet and, if possible, from your root chakra, deep into the earth. Each breath takes you deeper, eventually reaching and winding around the earth’s core. Then, as we inhale, we draw the life of the earth into our feet, and on the exhale, we retain that energy, charging our foot chakras and making them glow with vitality.

Now, inhaling “Hayy” from the earth through the feet and into the lower abdomen, we exhale “Allahu Akbar,” anchoring energy into the lower abdomen vitality center, also known as the Hara or Dantian. On the next inhale, we repeat, exhaling “Aziz Jabbar.” This alternation strengthens and revitalizes us. The lower abdomen is crucial as it holds our core strength for physical movement, manifestation, and healing—both for ourselves and as a conduit for others. Maintaining a strong energy reservoir allows us to facilitate healing effectively.

Next, let the energy rise to the solar plexus, the third chakra, positioned between the navel and the rib cage. This center is vital for personal power, digestion, and the assimilation of experiences. It also helps establish healthy boundaries, filtering what enters and exits our energetic field. We will continue inhaling “Hayy” and exhaling “Allahu Akbar” on the first breath, then “Aziz Jabbar” on the next, alternating as we strengthen and cleanse this center.

Next, Inhale Allahu Akbar to the center of the upper abdomen, and exhale Aziz Jabbar, filling the entire upper abdomen with the light, life, and power of the divine. Inhaling Allahu Akbar, exhaling Aziz Jabbar, inhaling to the center, exhaling fully everything in the upper abdomen, from the front to the back to the sides—all the organs, glands, blood vessels, nerves, spine, and lymph. Everything in this area is infused with divine power and life.

Now, expanding out past the confines of the physical body into the auric field around the upper abdomen and middle back, inhale Allahu Akbar and exhale Aziz Jabbar, creating a ring or band of life and power around this region.

Moving back down to the lower abdomen, repeat the process, inhaling Allahu Akbar and exhaling Aziz Jabbar, expanding the energy to fill the entire lower abdomen, including all organs, glands, and the spine. Expand beyond the physical body into the auric field around the lower abdomen and lower back, to create another ring or wheel of divine power. With each inhale to the center and exhale to the surrounding field, we establish a strong and protective energetic presence.

Now, with awareness of both rings of life and light around the lower and upper abdomen, we continue breathing Allahu Akbar and Aziz Jabbar, focusing on the outer edges of these rings. We polish the edges until they became reflective like a mirror, encircling the lower abdomen, upper abdomen, middle back, and lower back. This reflective surface creates a safe space where divine qualities could enter, and anything not of divine nature is reflected away. This practice reinforces boundaries while allowing the highest divine energies to flow in.

We close with the assimilation meditation, letting go of the hands, the phrases, and the breath practice, allowing the energy to flow deeply into every cell. Without controlling the flow, participants let the energy settle where it is needed, softening into a state of receptivity. This nurtures the yin and parasympathetic aspects of our beings, fostering deep healing and renewal.

In addition to starting and ending the day with this practice—taking it into the dream state—Murad recommends continuing it daily from now until a few days after the equinox. This practice would help align with the Earth’s shifts, keeping participants grounded and connected to the natural changes occurring around them.