Week 9 - Matthew Mandel

This weeks reading focuses on how the spiritual teachings of today are not even recognized in academia today as it doesn't have any firm background as well as the fact that spirituality has so many different definitions and meanings that its hard to come to a common ground. Throughout this article there is a common theme of connection, and how people connect with spirituality and how indigenous people did this very well. Having a firm belief and connection to your spirituality, much of that will fulfill the spiritual needs of each person who is looking for it. Having a connection to the Earth will fill your spirit and keep you grounded, to not be so stressed with materialistic items and things that revolve our daily lives today.

These last few weeks in class we took a step back and learned about how to ground ourselves. Prior to this I knew about having a connection to the Earth, however never took the steps to doing so. While learning about Earth songs last week I realized that spirituality really comes first by grounding ourselves and listening to what’s around us first. Before attempting to do anything else with spirituality we have to first allow our bodies to become one with the Earth so we can feel the energy that runs through this planet. Only then can your spirituality become prominent in life.

Question: With so much knowledge and spirituality becoming a little more understandable to people, why is it people still don't take that first step in grounding themselves just even as a health benefit?

Resource:

Ritskes, Eric J. “Connected: Indigenous Spirituality as Resistance in the Classroom.” 2011.

Image Resource:

http://healthimpactnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/05/earthing-grounding1.jpg