What Does It REALLY Mean to Be Connected to the Earth?

I use this phrase often because of the profound benefits I have received, especially through my work with Andean Medicine. Yet, I have come to realise that for many, the idea of 'connection with the Earth' remains something abstract—something they relate to mentally rather than experientially. In doing so, they miss the rich and transformative gift the earth has to offer - and I long to share this with them.

Most people don’t realise the depth of this connection, a depth that has been lost amid modern development. This is not merely a passive connection, nor is it entirely different from the connections we share with other human beings... Or is it? Let’s explore this together.

Grounding vs. Connection

Some equate being connected to the Earth, with being grounded. However, from my experience in Andean Medicine, I see subtle yet significant differences between the two.

Grounding, to me, is just one layer of the experience—our feet touch the Earth, and an exchange of ions occurs. This biological and scientific process, where positive ions are exchanged for negative ones, brings us into the present moment. And when done with intention, it allows us to be fully aware of what is in front of us. Yet, this is an aspect of connection that requires constant renewal, much like a daily exercise.

On the other hand, true connection to the Earth offers something much deeper—an invaluable relationship that roots us for life. It is a multi-layered experience that nourishes our body, mind, emotions, energy, and even our soul.

So, while grounding feels good in the moment—especially when we are barefoot on the Earth—it remains temporary and physical.

True connection, however, offers something more profound: relationship!

The Relationship with Pachamama

In the Q’ero communities of the Andes Mountains, Mother Earth—known as Pachamama—is not an abstract concept; she is a relationship initiated at birth. This connection is formally established through sacred rites and, from that moment on, becomes an integral part of family, community, agriculture, and every aspect of life.

Pachamama is not just honoured—she is nurtured, included, and loved as a family member. It is common to see a plate of food placed outside or on a window ledge—not as an act of tithing, but as an offering of gratitude, a way of sharing and feeding her as one would a beloved relative, while they eat theirs.

This profound relationship is something we have lost in modern society. While we have spiritual rites such as christenings and baptisms to mark our connection to the divine, we lack a sacred initiation that bonds us to the Earth from birth. What does this say about us as a culture?

The Wound of Disconnection

When speaking with Q’ero Master Healers, they often express shock at how Westerners have survived without this connection. To them, our deep wounds are evident, even as we move through life in the modern world believing we have everything figured out.

Looking at the state of the world however, the consequences of this disconnection are undeniable. We suffer from chronic health issues, and our environment is in crisis. We admire nature’s beauty, yet we fail to truly see and honour her. We have become masters of separation, treating the Earth as something to use, rather than something to be in relationship with.

This unconscious behaviour creates an inner conflict. We claim to be grounded, yet we take from the Earth without gratitude, leaving our spiritual account with her in debt. Deep within, a part of us—our indigenous self—knows better. This dissonance creates a heaviness, a guilt that we carry unconsciously, further perpetuating a cycle of disconnection and depletion.

Rebuilding the Sacred Bond

This is where I long for people to understand what authentic Earth connection truly means. Because Pachamama is not just a source of sustenance—she is also a support system, a foundation for healing and wholeness.

When we reconnect with the Earth, we awaken to the abundance she provides:

• We receive material support
• manifest our dreams
• align with natural cycles
• and rediscover a profound sense of belonging...and much more. 

The guilt we carry begins to dissolve, replaced by an innate desire to care for and protect her. And as our relationship with the Earth heals, so too does our planet.

The beauty of this connection is that it is never too late to restore it. Even as adults, we can activate this bond*, allowing it to transform our lives.

As a planetary community, we stand at a crossroads. If we do not shift our attitudes toward the Earth, we risk self-destruction. Yet, by reconnecting with her, we open ourselves to limitless possibilities, resilience, and healing.

Pachamama has never abandoned us—she is always here, waiting for us to remember. And when we do, we will find that we are not only always connected but also truly grounded, in the deepest sense of the word.