January 18: Discover the Ground of Being
Being is more important than doing. Each man must therefore discover this center in himself, this ground of his being. Bede Griffiths
Gregg’s Reflection
For most of my life, I didn’t understand how to connect with my inner being. I had occasional glimpses of the Spirit—some even before I was baptized—but I saw the Spirit as something separate, perhaps passing through me, not as a permanent presence within. Meditation became the pathway to connection.
In the silence, I began to believe that a spark of the divine truly was hidden deep within. Over time, I learned that this spark was the Source of my being, buried under the emotional debris of a lifetime. My morning practices—Scripture, journaling, contemplation—helped me stay grounded, so the Spirit could flow more freely through me during coaching calls and mentoring encounters.
We have all heard the term ‘being grounded.’ In Walking Meditation, it is best to walk in bare feet, feeling the connection with the ground, feeling the connection to the ground of being. My morning disciplines help keep me grounded so that Spirit can flow during my coaching calls and mentoring encounters. I am regularly aware of that flow during those times.
Being grounded is more than a metaphor. Just as grounding completes an electrical circuit so current can flow, connecting to the Ground of Being allows the Spirit’s current to flow through us, touching others and the world. I’ve found that when I am grounded in God’s presence, I’m more receptive to divine guidance, and my actions carry the energy of love.
Scripture
I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16
Ancient Quotes
God’s ground and my ground is the same ground.
Meister Eckhart, Bernard McGuinn, Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart, p. 38
There is in the soul a something in which God dwells, and there is in the soul a something in which the soul dwells in God.
Meister Eckhart, Matthew Fox, Meister Eckhart's Creation Spirituality, p. 126
Modern Quotes
The ground of God is the deepest depths of God. And in the generosity of God, the deepest depths of God are given to us as the deepest depths of ourselves, in our nothingness without God. Our ground and God’s ground is one ground. And hidden down in the depths of ourselves is a union that’s already present, waiting to be realized, lived, and shared.
James Finley, “Meister Eckhart: Session 3” in Turning to the Mystics, season 7
To call God ‘the Ground of Being’ is to find Divinity in the depth of things, the foundation of things, the profundity of things. And in the truth of things, our own ‘true selves’ and our efforts to pursue truth and commit to truth over falsehood. We all have a depth, a ground, a presence and there, says Eckhart, lies Divinity, for God is the ground of being and ‘God’s ground is my ground and my ground is God’s ground.’
Matthew Fox, Daily Meditations 3/22/23
Being is more important than doing. Each man must therefore discover this center in himself, this ground of his being, this law of his life. It is hidden in the depths of every soul, waiting to be discovered. It is the one thing which is necessary, which can satisfy all our desires and answer all our needs.
Bede Griffiths, in Matthew Fox, Christian Mystics, p. 257
Journaling Prompts
- What words or images come to mind when you think of the “Ground of Being”?
- How would your day change if you began it grounded in God’s presence?
- What practices root you most deeply in God’s life and love?
- What keeps you grounded so you can sense God’s presence and Spirit’s movement?
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 3 reflection: Being vs Doing