After writing about Jesus and religion, it is time to focus on something that truly energizes us, an outdoor morning meditation. It is one thing to believe in traditional religion, but for us, spirituality is also about our energy and how we use it throughout the day. Religion may provide faith or a sense of community, but a meaningful morning ritual can activate your energy in a positive and lasting way.
Barefoot on the Earth at Sunrise
Every day at daybreak, we go outside, either barefoot or wearing leather shoes that allow energy to pass through, and begin our meditation as the first rays of sunlight shine upon us. Most often, we choose to be barefoot, as the feeling of grass beneath our feet creates a deeper connection to the earth.
Today, at about 6:30 a.m., timed with the sunrise at our home, we put on our coats and stood on the grass for about ten minutes. One of the key things we do is direct our consciousness toward our feet, allowing the earth’s energy to rise through our body. We then guide this energy upward through each of the seven chakras, mentally acknowledging what each one represents and how it supports us.
Moving Energy Through the Seven Chakras
The first chakra strengthens our grounding to Mother Earth, while the second and third chakras empower us with motivation and creativity for the day ahead. At the heart chakra, we use this energy to open ourselves fully, feeling it expand outward around our body.
From there, we move our consciousness upward through what we call the soul chakras, the fifth, sixth, and seventh. At the fifth chakra, we connect to the ultimate truth behind our earthly experience and our source. In the sixth chakra, we reflect on this connection. At the seventh chakra, we allow the energy to rise upward and out through the crown of the head. We then reverse the process, drawing energy down from what we call Father Sky, moving it downward through the chakras.
Where Earth and Sky Meet in the Heart
In this way, we experience the earth’s energy rising through the lower chakras and divine energy descending through the upper chakras. When these two energies meet in the heart, we often smile, as it creates a profound sense of openness and light that radiates into the world. We continue this practice until we feel revitalized from sleep and fully awakened.
Cold weather or rain can make the process more challenging, but we continue regardless, simply shortening the time when needed.
What This Practice Does for the Body and Mind
We find that this morning meditation anchors the body and makes daily activities feel easier. It brings relaxation, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. More than that, it activates the body’s functions as we move consciously through each chakra.
At times, we raise our hands upward and take a deep breath, releasing any remaining sleepiness. When done slowly and intentionally, this movement seems to awaken every part of the body. We practice this individually, without thoughts of formal religion entering our minds—though in many ways, this is our religion.
You could think of it as a practical expression of the connection between earth and sky that we describe in One Love, but we do not overcomplicate it. We simply focus on feeling our energy, which to us is the foundation of spirituality.
Present with the Sun, Open to the Day
We do not usually include a morning mantra or elaborate visualizations beyond being present with the sun. Of course, thoughts about the day ahead may naturally arise. For example, yesterday, after this meditation, I spent a few hours kayaking on San Pablo Bay near our home.
Often, we eat breakfast afterward with a heightened awareness of what we are doing.
This morning meditation makes you feel alive and gets your blood flowing. You can adapt it in whatever way feels right for you. At breakfast, we often thank God for being alive and for the food we are given.
As for me, I routinely eat the same breakfast every morning, oatmeal and blueberries. My wife, on the other hand, creates her own combinations, often with two eggs, vegetables, and some type of meat.
All in all, it is a natural and meaningful way to begin the day.
