Self-Discipline: Walking Barefoot

“Forget what the astrologers say and what is written on your birth chart. You are all destined to live up 126 years, fit, healthy, and happy, as long as you contribute to the betterment of the world. Serve selflessly! That is the key to long life and true prosperity.”

(Anand Krishna, In the Footsteps of the Master, page. 165)

Can humans really live up to 126 years? Is it possible?

With today’s chaotic environment, irregular diets, and unhealthy lifestyles, can we truly age gracefully—without constant struggle and pain?

Earthing/Grounding

Six months ago, one afternoon after finishing dinner at 5:40 p.m., I took my usual walk around the school’s basketball court. Walking after meals has become part of my daily routine. A senior colleague who happened to pass by said,

“Teacher, why don’t you try walking barefoot on the grass instead?”

I paused for a moment, then followed the suggestion and began walking barefoot on the grass. I had previously heard from another friend who joined a wellness program at One Earth Retreat in Ciawi, Bogor, that one of their healing methods was earthing or grounding—walking barefoot on grass.

Out of curiosity, I looked for more information about earthing and found a book titled “Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?” by Clinton Ober and colleagues.

The Connection Between Humans and the Earth

Essentially, our feet serve as a bridge connecting us to the Earth. But why the Earth?

The Earth is like a massive battery weighing approximately six sextillion (that’s a 6 followed by 21 zeros) tons. This planetary battery is constantly recharged by sunlight, lightning, and the heat from the Earth’s molten core.

Interestingly, we humans are also electrical beings—our bodies emit and conduct electrical energy.

Atomic Structure

Most diseases that humans experience stem from inflammation, which is caused by an excess of free radicals. From an electrical standpoint, free radicals carry a positive charge (protons). These positively charged molecules trigger inflammation, which can manifest as a wide range of illnesses—ranging from flu, coughs, and sore throats to more serious conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

To neutralize these positively charged free radicals, our bodies need negatively charged particles (electrons). The Earth happens to be the largest natural source of electrons. Thus, by walking barefoot—what we call earthing or grounding—we allow our bodies to absorb these electrons directly from the ground.

What is Earthing or Grounding?

Earthing simply means walking barefoot or sitting directly on natural surfaces such as soil, sand, or grass. It can also be done by hugging large trees or swimming in the ocean—both rich sources of electrons.

When we practice earthing, our bodies receive a flow of electrons from the Earth, balancing our internal electrical charge with the Earth’s natural potential.

The Benefits of Earthing

Walking on Sand

1. Neutralizes inflammation and alleviates related symptoms
2. Reduces chronic pain
3. Improves sleep quality
4. Boosts energy levels
5. Reduces stress and calms the nervous system
6. Restores the body’s natural biological rhythm (body clock)
7. Helps normalize blood pressure
8. Relieves muscle tension and headaches
9. Balances hormones and eases menstrual cramps
10. Accelerates wound healing
11. Reduces jet lag symptoms
12. Protects the body from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure
13. Speeds up recovery after intense physical activity

Modern Life: Disconnected from the Earth

In modern times, footwear has distanced us from direct contact with the Earth. In truth, the constant use of shoes is bad news for human health.

Why is that?

According to Dr. William Rossi, a podiatrist from Massachusetts:

“Natural gait biomechanics cannot function properly when humans wear footwear. Over four million years of evolution, the human foot developed its unique structure to enable our distinctive walking style—an extraordinary feat of biological engineering. However, in just a few thousand years, footwear has disrupted this natural anatomy, reducing foot efficiency, overburdening the feet with excess pressure, diminishing their natural grace, and impairing movement from head to toe.”

The soles of our feet are among the most nerve-rich areas of the body—about 1,300 nerve endings per square inch, far more than other parts of the body of similar size.

Both palms and soles have many nerve endings, but the soles contain significantly more—around 200,000, compared to 17,000 in the palms.

Because of this, our feet act as the body’s connection point to the Earth’s energy (electrons). Humans and animals absorb this energy through their feet, while plants do so through their roots.

Scientific Evidence: Infrared Imaging Results

Image 1 (left):

The red areas (indicated by white arrows) show inflammation.

Image 2 (right):

Taken 30 minutes after earthing, the infrared image shows the red areas turning green and blue—indicating a rapid reduction in inflammation and relief from chronic pain and muscle stiffness.

Another example shows an 84-year-old woman with an open wound that failed to heal for eight months.

The top photo shows the initial wound caused by ill-fitting boots.

The middle photo was taken after one week of daily 30-minute earthing sessions using electrode patches.

The bottom photo, taken after two weeks, shows the wound completely closed, the skin appearing much healthier, and the pain fully gone.

Personal Experience and Reflection

After learning about the benefits of earthing, I now dedicate time each day to walk or work out barefoot on the grass. On weekends, I enjoy walking along the beach and lying on the sand. The experience feels incredibly refreshing—it restores both body and mind.

So, what are you waiting for?

Take time to reconnect with the Earth through earthing, and embrace a healthier life. Remember—health is an investment. What you need most are discipline and consistency. Because in the end, self-discipline is the key to lasting health.

Pictures courtesy:

Earthing/Grounding: freepik.com/premium-photo/woman-walking-barefoot-green-grass-outdoors-closeup_410748197.htm

Walking on Sand: Leeloo The First (pexels.com/photo/female-barefoot-walking-on-beach-8908880/)

Nerve Ending: pressbooks.ccconline.org/bio106/chapter/nervous-sensory-functions/

Infrared Image & Open Wound Image: Clinton Ober, et.al, taken from book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?

 

Bibliography:

Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra & Martin Zucker, 2010. Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?