Back to the Land
By Lex Venn
Our bodies are made up of elements that are of this earth. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we come in contact with, all co-create to shape and make our physical form on a foundational level. We are literally composed of earth, and our nature is no separate from the external world we are living in. In today’s modern world, it’s seemingly more common for people to say that they are not from this planet or feel as though this planet is a foreign place to them. On an individual level, this is such a valid and intimate experience for which one has a deep felt sense. It’s not easy to digest the content that is coming out about the state of our world, so it makes sense as to why, as a collective, a lot of us are disconnecting, dissociating, and feeling a bit lost in it all. However, the deep truth is that in this moment and in this life, we are earthlings. Therefore, it could be proposed that becoming as embodied and connected to the earth as we can is potentially one of the most deeply spiritual experiences we can have whilst on this planet. Rather than this never-ending quest to go up and out, connect with something greater, and be outside of ourselves, perhaps what needs to happen is to find a place of more balance with our earthly selves. This is to say, to still connect with something greater and also recognize the profound need to connect with the physical natural world.
In her absolutely stunning book, “Braiding Sweetgrass,” Robin Wall Kimmerer, says, “I want to stand by the river in my finest dress. I want to sing, strong, and hard, and stomp my feet with a hundred others so that the waters hum with our happiness. I want to dance for the renewal of the world.” In her poetic expression, she exemplifies the absolute beauty that can unfold when connecting with earth. As shared by Dr. Scott Lyons in an online training through The Embody Lab, he quoted Rev Angel Kyodo Williams as saying, “If you want to change the world, get embodied.” This is a profound statement alone, recognizing the need for our connection with our physicality as a doorway for contributing to the shift on this planet.
Here are some potential questions you can ask yourself:
What does embodiment mean to me?
What is something I can do to connect with my body more deeply? What is something I can do to connect with the land I live on a deeper level?
When was the last time I spent time in nature?
How do I feel when I spend time in nature?
How does it feel to connect with the earth?
How do I feel about my connection with the earth?
What would it be like to introduce more practices into your world that give you time to connect to the land. Perhaps that’s getting outside and taking a break from technology. Maybe it’s a simple grounding practice of feeling like you are actively connecting with the earth. Maybe it’s moving your body more. Maybe it’s working on self-compassion towards your physical body. Whatever feels most effective, realistic, and helpful for you, what would it be like to really add more awareness to your practice of embodiment and earth connection.
The call to come back to the land is strong, and perhaps it could be said that is a call that can no longer be ignored. So this is our choice point, will we choose to nurture our nature? Choose to connect deeper with our bodies so we connect deeper with this land and with each other? The choice is for you to make, and the earth will always welcome you in her loving embrace.
Resources
Lyons, Dr. Scott. 2023 The Embody Lab. Attachment Certificate Program. Retrieved Live on Zoom during Course. https://revangel.com/
The Embody Lab, https://www.theembodylab.com/
Kimmerer, Robin Wall. 2015. Braiding Sweetgrass. Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions.
About Lex Venn
Lex is a holistic and integrative practitioner. She is a registered therapeutic counsellor, somatic therapist, certified 500hr yoga teacher, meditation teacher, breathwork therapist, sound practitioner and bodyworker. She has been facilitating groups for over 11 years, and also runs her own private practice online and in Victoria BC. Her ethos as a therapist is to merge the worlds of ancient and clinical as she loves to lean on modern modalities, as well as deeply practiced traditions. She loves to intermingle and weave all her various teachings together to truly support her clients. She is trauma trained, and is very intentional about the way she creates containers for people to explore their inner healer.
Meet Lex and learn more about somatic healing on The Embody Lab’s Therapist Directory.
If you’re interested in understanding more about how somatic practices can help you, consider working with a Somatic Therapist or Practitioner. The Embody Lab’s Somatic Therapist and Practitioner Directory can help you find the right practitioner to support your journey towards more self-compassion, connection, and authenticity. Explore our directory and find the support you need.
