It always baffles me why some people don’t like their feet. I think feet are incredible. They are, if you pardon the pun, a “feet of engineering” containing 26 bones, multiple joints, ligaments and tendons all beautifully designed to bear our full body weight each day.
In many cultures feet are honoured and celebrated. In some Indian spiritual cultures feet
represent devotion, humility and connection with the divine. In temples shoes are often removed to
demonstrate respect for the sacred space and maintain its purity. It is also a gesture of leaving behind the
outer world.
Above: A sculpture from ancient Gandhara, South Asia, depicting the footprints of the Buddha, dating from the 2nd Century.
Throughout Asia footprints of the Buddha are numerous and
popular. They often date back to the 1st
or 2nd centuries, or earlier.
The footprints are a reminder that the Buddha was present on Earth and
left a spiritual path to be followed.
Honouring the feet of deities or gurus was a common
practice in Ancient India and is found in the Christian tradition also. For example, in the bible there is an account
of Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus with her tears, wiping them with
her hair, and anointing them with perfume.
Above: Maria Magdalene washing the feet of Christ. Artist: Jacob Andries Beschey.
Throughout history,
and ancient history, different civilizations and cultures have discovered and
utilized the healing capabilities of the feet.
For example the Incas (reaching back to 12,000BC) practised a
form of foot therapy. It is believed
that they passed down their knowledge to the North American Indians, who are
still using this form of therapy today.
In Ancient Egypt a form of foot therapy was also used -
an Egyptian tomb drawing dating back to 2330BC depicts two people being treated
by foot and hand massage.
Above: Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA
Many ancient
civilizations also understood the importance of feeling connected to the Earth
and its energies. Today this is often
referred to as “grounding”. For example Native American tribes
engaged in rituals and practices that included grounding. They believed that
connection to the Earth helped them maintain the balance and harmony necessary
for good health and spiritual wellbeing.
Connecting to the
Earth is a practice that has continued to this day. In Africa, Australia and New Zealand walking
barefoot on the Earth is very popular.
It has also started to take off in mainland Europe and even here in
Wales.
Above: My husband Rob, a keen barefoot walker, drawing up Earth energy at Pontardawe Riverside Park.
If you’d like to find
out more about this fascinating topic, you may be interested in watching “The
Earthing Movie” – just search for it on YouTube.
So next time you are feeling a little low, don’t be de-feeted! Pamper and show gratitude to your amazing feet by treating yourself to a nice soothing foot bath. You could add some bath salts, for example Epsom salts or Himalayan salts, a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender and then just relax…
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