Why does grounding sometimes feel like losing progress?
Short Answer
Grounding temporarily reduces access to expanded states and insights, creating the sensation of losing spiritual or psychological progress despite building foundational stability.
Why This Matters
This occurs because grounding shifts attention from expanded consciousness states to basic embodied awareness, which feels restrictive after accessing higher perspectives. The brain interprets this narrowing of awareness as regression because it contrasts sharply with the expansive feelings of spiritual or psychological breakthroughs. This temporary compression actually consolidates gains by integrating insights into everyday functioning, though the process feels like moving backward.
Where This Changes
The regression feeling diminishes as the nervous system adapts to holding both grounded presence and expanded awareness simultaneously. Those with trauma histories may experience more intense temporary regression as grounding initially activates stored survival responses.