Mantra chanting is an effective means of reconnecting with the Inner Self. By calming the mind and stilling the body, mantra chanting allows the illusion of separation to fall away. In the stillness of the repetition of these ancient sounds, one understands the all-pervasive unity of oneness that exists throughout the world. And when one understands this unity, they become full of loving kindness, compassion, and joy. Seeing no creature or life as separate from oneself, one begins to honor the Earth with every thought, word, and deed.

In terms of the specific mantra chosen for this purpose, Om Namo Narayana is often associated with movements for world peace because of its meaning. Om is the divine sacred syllable, said to have been the first sound in the Universe. Om represents the nature of Atman, or the all-encompassing Oneness, the universal energy and the consciousness that is aware and unified in all of us. Namo can be translated from Sanskrit as "to bow to" or "to pay homage to". Narayana can be interpreted from its Sanskrit roots as to mean water (from "nara") and "resting place" or "shelter" (from anaya). In this interpretation, Narayana is thus representative of the Hindu god Vishnu, whose resting place is water. Vishnu is known as the preserver and protector of the Universe, so it would make sense to chant his name with the intention of fulfilling the sincere wish for world peace and happiness for all.

3. Incorporate Grounding Practices into Your Daily Activities

What are grounding practices?

Grounding practices are behaviors and actions we take to help us feel more connected to our bodies, the ground beneath our feet, Mother Nature, and the Earth. Well-known grounding practices are shirin-yoku (forest bathing), walking barefoot, and sleeping on the bare ground. Any practice that brings you back into your body and in tune with the nature around you can be considered as grounding; with regularity, it can become a grounding practice.

How to incorporate grounding practices on Earth Day in 2022?

1. Walk barefoot.
2. Sleep (or nap! or relax!) on the ground or as close to the ground as possible.
3. Make time to rekindle your connection with the physical body. Use this time to feel the sensations of the body, particularly the feet.
4. Chant Om Gam Ganapataye Namah while focusing on the muladhara chakra at the base of the spine. Take it a step further by visualizing the red color of the chakra. You may even see the flames of a fire purifying you and manifesting the positive qualities of the chakra within your consciousness: those of vitality, growth, and vigor.

Why should you incorporate grounding practices on Earth Day in 2022?

The Human-Earth connection is astounding. Several grounding studies were mentioned where it was found that people were syncing with the resonant qualities of the Earth; in the case of solar flares, studies show that geomagnetic fluctuations impact heart and blood pressure and in the most severe cases of synchronicity may even cause heart attacks or death. The interesting thing, of course, is that the impacts of geomagnetic fluctuations caused by solar flares are not isolated to a single community, spiritual center, or anything nonsensical like that. Indeed, these changes in the heart and blood pressure were seen in all communities across all regions of the Earth... occurring concurrently, cohesively, simultaneously.

4. Practice Grounding Yoga Asanas

What are grounding yoga asanas?

Grounding yoga asanas put pressure on the Mūlādhāra chakra and rebalance the energy contained within it. What is the Mūlādhāra Chakra?

• Also known as the root chakra, the Mūlādhāra chakra is presided over by the deity Ganesha. Ganesha is cheerful and full of bliss like a child. He is often pictured with sweets.
• Ganesha reminds us that the removing of obstacles doesn’t simply require the strength of the elephant; it also requires the sweetness of a child’s joy.
• Earth and fire are associated with this chakra.
• The sound that resonates here is LAM (pronounced LUHM).

How to practice grounding yoga asanas on Earth Day in 2022?

Practice Padahasthasana or Hands to Feet pose. Stand erect. Raise arms overhead and inhale deeply. Then exhale slowly and while exhaling, bend the body until the hands reach the toes and the nose touches the knees.

Practice Trikonasana or triangle pose. Stand erect keeping the feet two or three feet apart. Now bring the arms should height, the palms down. Bend to the left slowly and touch the left toes with the left hand. Remain thus for five seconds and slowly return to the standing position. Do not bend the legs or arms when bending down or when getting up. From the standing position, bend to the right and touch the right toes with the right hand. Remain for five second in this position and then come back to the original standing position.

Practice Savasana or Corpse pose for an extended amount of time, at least 10 minutes. Lay flat on your mat with legs mat-width distance apart and arms at a 45 degree angle from each other. Tense and release each body part, starting from the feet and moving upwards. Once you have done tense and release, start the process of autosuggestion. Repeat mentally in your head, "I am relaxing my feet" three times. Do this for every body part. Do not fall asleep; remain awake and alert but relaxed.

Why should you incorporate grounding yoga asanas on Earth Day in 2022?

Balancing the root chakra creates a solid foundation for the opening of the six succeeding chakras and, eventually, for the flow of Prana or life energy throughout the entire body. When the Mūlādhāra Chakra is balanced, the body and mind experiences a sense of stability, energy, and strength while the whole being radiates confidence and a total assuredness in the self. The practice of yoga asanas is generally beneficial for connecting you with your body and through your body, nature itself. The practice of yoga asanas helps to still the mind, relieve tension in the body, and return the awareness to the breath and the bodily sensations.

5. Meditate

What is meditation?

Meditation is the practice of using a technique (such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on an object, thought, activity, or mantra) for a predetermined amount of time to sharpen the awareness, train one's attention, and achieve a mind that is emotionally-calm, mentally clear, stable, and at peace.

How to practice meditation on Earth Day in 2022?

Sit at the start and end of your day for 15 to 30 minutes. Sit comfortably in a cross-legged position on the ground or, if you cannot, sit on the edge of a chair. Make sure your back is straight and your chin is parallel to the ground. Allow the eyes to drift shut. Focus on the breath, deepening the breath to inhales and exhales that are to the count of 3, each. Once your breath is rhythmic, find a point of focus either at your heart (anāhata) chakra or your third eye (ājñā) chakra and introduce the repetition of the universal mantra Om. Om on every inhale and Om on every exhale. If this is too difficult to do silently in your mind, you are welcome to repeat the mantra aloud.

Stay like this for 15 - 30 minutes, or as long as your body and mind allows. When the mind drifts away and thoughts consume it (and this will happen, as this is the nature of the mind), observe the thought. Do not judge it. Allow it to drift across the landscape of your mind like a cloud in the sky and then, carefully and with kindness, bring your mind back to your point of focus and resume the repetition of the mantra.

Why should you practice meditation on Earth Day in 2022?

Meditation is the highest form of tapas or austerity. If you dedicate your meditation to peace for all, the flourishing of the Earth and the healing of Mother Nature, you are doing not only a great service for yourself and a great service onto others. The benefits of meditation for the self are immeasurable and include good health, concentration, endurance, and strong willpower.