go bearfoot

In most contemporary cultures, where there aren't many opportunities
to go barefoot, few acts are as intimate as touching the feet of
another person. Our feet are our primary means of connecting with
the earth, yet they usually remain confined in shoes or sandals.
Cleansing the feet of a friend or loved one is a sign of trust,
closeness, and openness. Cleansing your own feet can be a relaxing
interlude that can help you feel refreshed. Foot cleansing also has
become a popular stress reliever and beautification ritual.

Ritual foot cleansing has a long and intricate history involving
many methods and motivations. It has been used as an initiation, a
welcoming gesture, a purification ceremony, and as a means to
demonstrate humbleness. Cleansing ceremonies involving the feet are
performed in many different parts of the world. In many cases, the
meaning of the ritual was twofold. It was a way of cleaning a
guest's feet before entering a home and a sign of hospitality. In
Buddhism, clean water mixed with sandalwood to clean the feet is one
of the eight typical offerings. By cleansing the feet of an
enlightened being, it is possible to cleanse one's own karma.

You can perform a foot washing ritual on yourself or a companion as
a ceremonial activity or as a way to unwind. You may want to start
by trying a traditional ritual, or you might feel comfortable
inventing your own. Try mixing elements like traditional flower
infused water with something more modern like a sugar scrub. Take
the time to set your intention for the foot washing ritual. Perhaps
you would like to cleanse away old energies in your life so you may
step freely toward your future. Or, maybe soaking your feet in warm
water will help you relax after a long day at work. Remember to
thank your feet for their support. Whether done with pleasure or as
an offering, a foot cleansing ritual is a sacred act that honors the
divine in you and others.