Gravity is unconditional love. I learned to understand this in a drumming workshop many years ago. The presenter was a beautiful woman named Aida, and we drummed all day and throughout the evening. Our energy levels were high from the vibrations of the drums, tambourines, and cymbals. All worldly concerns disappeared, and we didn’t want the experience to end. However, what stands out most for me most is what the presenter taught us: “Gravity is unconditional love.”
Aida explained that Gravity holds all things to the Earth without prejudice or judgment for prophets or sinners alike. Therefore, when anyone needs to feel grounded or is looking to feel loved, we only need to sense how Gravity feels in our bodies. So, what does it feel like to connect to Gravity?
Gravity, Love and Silence
I traveled to Flaming Gorge, Utah, to one of the least populated places in the United States. Being from the east coast of the US, I have always lived in highly populated areas. Noise, pollution, and the vibrations from all the motors that run the systems we use to support such large populations are the background of our lives, and we seldom notice them.
Being in Utah gave me a chance to reset my awareness. Once my friends and I got to Flaming Gorge, they chose to hike. I decided to sit alone in an open space on a high cliff overlooking the river gorge. I suddenly became aware of the intense silence. There was no car, airplane, or boat traffic. I didn’t hear any sounds of motors. The lack of human presence eliminated speaking and breathing sounds. Nothing was present that usually would fill my environment with noise.
Gravity, Silence and Me
As I sat on a rock and relaxed into the what seemed like complete silence, I began to hear my heartbeat. For some time I held space for this new experience marveling at the sound of me. Who knew that I had a discernible sound? Eventually, I noticed other sounds like a pattern as if someone was walking on gravel but not so loud. It sounded like tiny feet crunching on dirt. It wouldn’t go away. I started to look for what might be making this sound. At my feet, I found an army of ants walking in a line in rhythm across the sand. The sound matched perfectly with their movement.
I had never thought that ants walking could make any sound. I realized that I do not hear or perceive certain sounds because other sounds typically drown them out. This experience was the first time I had a chance to listen to things unrelated to humans. I then started hearing flying bugs from a long distance. It was like an army of insects (of which I have a life-long fear) had decided to show up for me. I wasn’t afraid; I was amazed that I was missing so much of the world because I mostly live in a noisy place.
Gravity, Love and Wholebody Focusing
A few years later, when I began learning Wholebody Focusing, I remembered this experience, and it helped me learn to ground. Many energetic practices ask us to “ground” ourselves before starting a meditation or other techniques that help us connect to our bodies. So the first thing a Wholebody trainer might say is, “notice your feet and include your buttocks if you are sitting or your whole body if you are lying down.” Some people understand this as a metaphor for relaxing or letting go of whatever is in your consciousness. However, what would it feel like if it were not a metaphor?
What if we focused our attention on how our feet, buttocks, or whole bodies feel the connection to Gravity–the Earth’s primary energy. All we need to do is to shift our attention to where our bodies touch the ground and wait to notice what that sensation entails. Sometimes the area becomes energized, and sometimes we can feel energy outside the part of our body to which we are sending your attention. We shift our attention to a part of the body connected to the Earth and let go of the noise, thoughts and other stimuli. It will give us the ability to consciously connect to the Gravity of the Earth’s energy.
It may, at first, seem indiscernible, but with a bit of patience and willingness to hold our attention to our connection to the Earth, a bodily sensation will emerge.
Sensing Gravity’s Love
Whatever does arise, recognize it, thank it for showing itself. We have newly connected to the most potent source of unconditional love. This energy has been with us from inception and will stay with us throughout our lives. It provides us with the stability to move and function that we may be taking for granted or not noticing.
Recognizing Gravity as an energy force will give us a greater sense of its constancy, inability to use judgement to determine its actions , and how you share this bond with all sentient beings and other objects. Gravity can also reinforce the sense of being loved within ourselves, especially if we are not generally in touch with the love that surrounds us. It is energetic love, not emotional love. Energetic love functions without requirements. Emotional love often comes with limits. The greater the connection we create, the more we will begin to notice and trust the energetic forces that are our birthright and constant support. We are a part of a collective force that creates our reality.
Gravity as an Energetic Force
What we are doing is giving ourselves a chance to appreciate how nothing will get between us and the Earth no matter how hard we try. Gravity is always holding us, even in airplanes. So the first time we try connecting to Gravity, set goals aside and just experience what happens.
We can always take a few minutes out of our day to reconnect our body to the Earth. For example, sitting at a desk, reconnect to the floor below you. Standing at a bus stop,we connect feet to the ground below. Keep noticing how Gravity shows up . The act of recognizing grounding to Gravity as an energetic bond will strengthen our energetic connection to ourselves in any form of bodywork you do.
Photo Credit: Ellie Brady Flaming Gorge 2018
Diana, your description of Utah evokes so many moments of experiencing that delicious silence in a vast landscape. Mostly in BC backcountry, but one of them actually did happen in Utah, at Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. (Bless Bill Cllnton for creating it on the last day of his presidency!) As I read your words I am immersed in that experience again.
And Gravity belongs with Silence (although we can experience it any time) … but if we allow Silence to be in us, then we naturally become aware of Gravity as well as an elemental supporting force.
Thanks for your response. The silence of Utah taught me how to be with all that is there, even with the noise. I can now imagine what else is, even if I cannot hear or see it. I now know that there is so much more to life than I perceive. All I have to do is allow my awareness to extend to whatever is there, and more comes. My body does the rest.
I look forward to the day I can return to places like Flaming Gorge and have a chance to learn more.
What a lovely idea Diana that Gravity is unconditional love.. When I check in with myself in a Wholebody way I connect with the space around me and some times I can feel that space hugging me all over. Now I can add the idea that gravity is unconditional love no matter where I am. That is truly awesome.
Dear Kit,
Thanks for the lovely reply.
When we develop a literal connection to gravity, we become one with the energy that holds us to the Earth. It becomes a part of how we move forward in the world, both physically and emotionally. It reminds us that there are immutable energy forces that are our birthright. It especially helps when we are feeling alone or defeated. These resources can never abandon or fail us. It is very reassuring to connect to this energy.