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Discover how meditation aligns you with the energies of Earth and heaven for balance and clarity
This is part 2 of my blog series on meditation in the Sahara desert, where I learned about connecting earthly stability with heavenly energy.
What is the essence of being human? In the middle of the vast desert, under an endless sky, I discovered a truth that forever changed my understanding: human beings are the result of heaven and Earth’s energy converging.
The Universal Puzzle
At some point in life, we all wonder: Who or what are we? As a biochemist, acupuncturist, and someone raised in a Catholic home, I’ve explored this question through science, Taoism, and biblical teachings. Each perspective offers a unique lens, but they all converge on the same underlying truth:
- Science sees life as the interplay of energy and matter.
- Biblical teachings describe life as the union of body and soul, animated by the “breath of life.”
- Taoism teaches that life exists where yin and yang converge, and death occurs when they separate.
Whether you’re inspired by Einstein’s science, Moses’ spirituality, or Lao Tzu’s philosophy, the conclusion is the same: human beings are the bridge between heaven and Earth, where physical and spiritual forces meet.
Meditation as a Tool for Connection
Meditation allows us to directly experience this within and around us. Here is how we did it:
Building an Energetic Foundation: The Belt-Bowl-Axis
Our teacher introduced us to the Belt-Bowl-Axis, an energetic structure we created at the start of every meditation. This practice helped us reconnect with ourselves and align with the greater energies around us.
Here is how it works:
- Begin at the Tan Tien
Start at the Tan Tien, an energetic center between the navel and sacrum. Imagine a glowing ball of light there, gently pulsing with energy. - Create the Belt
The ball of light moves outward to four points: forward to the belly button, backward to the sacrum, to the right side, and to the left side. Connect these points to form a belt of light. - Form the Bowl
Extend the belt downward to the pelvic floor, creating a bowl shape. Sitting in this energetic bowl creates a secure base. - Align the Axis
The energy rises vertically along an axis from the pelvic floor to the top of the head. - Before you continue, make sure you feel centered in this belt-bowl-axis structure. This is your space and place, this is where you return at the end of your meditation.
- Root Yourself into the Yin Below
Now root the axis deep into the Earth’s core, anchoring yourself in yin energy. - Open up to the Yang Above
Finally, open to heavenly yang energy from above, completing the connection.
In this way, you become the meeting point of yin and yang, Earth and heaven, fully grounded in the interconnected web of life.
The Art of Staying Grounded While Reaching for the Stars
When I first started meditating, the idea of earthly and heavenly energy converging in me sounded thrilling. In my head, it was like, “Okay, so we’re mixing chaos and cosmos. Got it.” But then, during one session, a message came through loud and clear: “Cosmos is heavenly energy, sure, but the chaos? That’s all yours! For the earthly energy, you’ve got to go deeper.”
Confused, I asked my teacher about it. He explained that Earth energy is indeed stable and grounding, while chaos was just me, untethered, floating in my soup of thoughts, trying to escape reality. He insisted I root myself before opening up to cosmic energy, calling it a survival strategy for balancing stability and vastness.
One evening in the desert meditation tent, this lesson really hit home. We were all meditating together, or so I thought. Eyes closed, I was meditating, or maybe daydreaming, completely lost in my world, happily swimming around in… the clouds. After a while, I realized I hadn’t heard my teacher’s voice in some time. Curious, I opened my eyes and… surprise! The tent was pitch dark. Everyone was gone. It was just me, floating in my cosmic soup, blissfully unaware the meditation had ended long ago. That’s when I realized: grounding in Earth energy isn’t just a suggestion, it’s essential.
Finding Your Balance Between Earth and Heaven
Ultimately, it all depends on the individual. Some people are deeply grounded, fully immersed in the material world, and could benefit from opening up to receive more cosmic energy. Others, like me, spend a little too much time in the clouds and need to focus on rooting themselves in Earth’s stability.
That’s the beauty of this personal journey: discovering where you are, what you need, and how to bring balance into your life. It’s about finding the center between these two energies, Earth and heaven, and organizing your personal chaos in between, so you can fully embody the person you are here to be. Meditation offers the tools to explore this balance, step by step, helping us connect to ourselves and the greater energies around us.
Embracing Life’s Messy Reality
Our teacher often reminded us what meditation was about with his colorful phrase: “Ton terrain d’aventure c’est ce merdier ici-bas”, loosely translated as, “Your playground for exploration is this messy reality down here.” His point was clear: meditation isn’t a way to avoid life’s chaos or retreat into daydreams of a perfect world. Instead, it’s about facing the mess head-on, grounded in strength and clarity, while drawing insight and support from the energy around and above us.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you feel inspired, take a few minutes to try this practice. Whether you’re seeking balance, clarity, or a deeper connection to the Earth or the universe, building your own belt-bowl-axis can help you align with the energies below and above. Start small, stay curious, and know that transformation begins one breath at a time.