10 Ways to Kickstart A Daily Spiritual Practice
We all crave more peace, less anxiety, and definitely less stress.
One of the best ways to do this is to have some kind of daily contemplative practice. Think about this as a time to simply be with you. To touch base with the wise, all knowing self that resides deep within you.
A spiritual practice is something you give yourself so it should feel exciting and fun and definitely NOT like a chore. It’s not another “have-to.”
I often think about this time as refuge – a state I can enter where the craziness of the world is far away- where there is only peace and a sense of calm.
Craving more peace in your life? Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
We all crave more peace, less anxiety, and definitely less stress.
One of the best ways to do this is to have some kind of daily contemplative practice. Think about this as a time to simply be with you. To touch base with the wise, all knowing self that resides deep within you.
A spiritual practice is something you give yourself so it should feel exciting and fun and definitely NOT like a chore. It’s not another “have-to.”
I often think about this time as refuge – a state I can enter where the craziness of the world is far away- where there is only peace and a sense of calm.
Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
1. Prayer
If you’ve grown up with any kind of formal religion, you know what prayers sound like. But a prayer doesn’t have to be religious. It’s really a call from your heart out into the world.
My prayers are usually for people who are suffering as well as for the planet. But a super terrific prayer to start everyday is one I’ve mentioned before from A Course in Miracles, it says,
What would you have me do today?
Where would you have me go?
What would you have me say and to whom?
2. Affirmation
Starting your day with an affirmation or a list of them is a really powerful practice. You are speaking aloud what you want to manifest in your life. An affirmation can be general or specific.
I consider Louise Hay to be the queen of affirmations. Here is a great video with her sharing about affirmations.
3. Meditation
Meditation has literally transformed my life. I cannot imagine not doing this everyday BUT I do know how hard and scary it can be to start.
And I will admit, that even now, 20 years later, sometimes when I meditate, my thoughts don’t stop leaping around. As you begin or deepen your own time in meditation, remember that it is a practice. It isn’t about perfection.
If you want to start with a guided meditation or visualization, hop onto Insight Timer and have fun exploring not only my meditations but the hundreds of other ones!
4. To Be List
One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Dr. Robert Holden offers this suggestion. Rather than having a To DO list, have a To BE list. Isn’t this a great idea!
How do you want to be today?
- Loving
- Kind
- Generous
- Patient
5. Journal
I have many friends who begin each day writing in their journals. They are literally writing their lives into existence. If this sounds intriguing, get yourself a special notebook, decide your spot and commit to writing – for 5, 10, 20 minutes, whatever it is for you. There’s something transformational that happens when we put pen to paper.
6. Contemplative Walk
Walking is both meditative and aerobic. Obviously the best places to do these walks is somewhere pretty or serene – such as a park, along the water or in the woods. But you can have a contemplative walk not in nature too. Even on the treadmill. Plug in some soothing music and allow yourself to move.
7. Singing
I recently attended an earth honoring circle where a few women were inspired to sing. If singing helps you connect with your heart space, this might be the practice for you. Find some honoring, uplifting music that speaks to your higher self and belt it out! I am a big fan of kirtan, a form of Sanskrit chanting and love singing those songs.
8. Inspirational Video
If multi-media is more your thing, you may enjoy a video that connects you. One of my absolute favorites is Louie Schwartzberg’s one on gratitude.
9. Yoga Asana
Another way to ease into the day is through yoga, and doing a repetitive asana. One of the most common is the Sun Salutation, which is a series of simple moves designed to help awaken the body.
I have suffered from sciatica for 20+ years and discovered that doing the sun salutation every morning actually kept me pain free. So this is a daily part of my practice. See it performed here.
10. Start Your Day
Okay, I admit it, I hate getting out of bed. And I can be pretty grouchy in the morning. For over 10 years, my husband has lovingly reminded me that how you start your day is how you live your day.
So instead of groaning about getting up, how can you greet your day?
How would you like this day to be for you? Rewarding, satisfying, fulfilling, peaceful?
Whether you choose one of the above or a number of these, deepening your relationship to yourself is what a spiritual practice is all about. Decide what feels right for you and how you want to support yourself in your own evolution. That's what life is all about!
As always, don't be a stranger. Let me know what works for you!
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What The Eclipse Taught Me About Faith
The week before the eclipse life felt tense, unsettled, frustrating. Curiously, the eclipse seemed to clear the air! So why not use it as a reset?
Because, more than anything, the eclipse experience reminded me to have faith.
What is faith?
Faith is a decision to believe in something you cannot verify.
For me, it is an act of letting go of fear, of control, of a desired outcome, and relaxing into a space of grace, of knowing that all is well, that I am safe and life is good.
I’d heard about the eclipse for months but had blown it off until a few weeks ago when my husband was eager to go. Since we waited so long to make plans, the closest motel we could find was 3 hours from the path of totality in Oregon.
The week before the eclipse life felt tense, unsettled, frustrating. Curiously, the eclipse seemed to clear the air!
So why not use it as a reset?
Because, more than anything, this eclipse experience reminded me to have faith.
What is faith?
Faith is a decision to believe in something you cannot verify.
For me, it's an act of letting go of fear, of control, of a desired outcome, and relaxing into a space of grace, of knowing that all is well, that I am safe and life is good.
I’d heard about the eclipse for months but had blown it off until a few weeks ago when my husband was eager to go. Since we waited so long to make plans, the closest motel we could find was 3 hours from the path of totality in Oregon.
We decided to book it anyway and drive from Washington on Monday morning as far south as we could get.
As Monday grew closer, reports about the number of people descending on Oregon circulated. The governor had called up the National Guard. It would be a traffic nightmare.
Then we heard no one was allowed to watch from the side of the road. Now where would we go? None of this helped my anxiety.
Getting ready on Sunday morning for our 36-hour road trip. I sat to meditate and got a gentle reminder. It was a voice I often hear, kind, wise and loving.
It said, “Relax. Everything always works out perfectly.”
Up until that moment, my entire week had been emotional, angsty, difficult so it was the exact reminder I needed.
Driving east, we encountered no traffic and decided to stop and walk around a picturesque mountain lake before heading into town.
That night at the motel, I got confirmation from an Oregon rancher I’d contacted that we could park on his land. Relieved that we had a destination and wouldn’t be hassled by police, we left early Monday morning, hoping to make it all the way to totality.
Again there was no traffic.
In less than 3 hours, we arrived in time to enjoy the sun rise over the high desert, the smell of Juniper in the breeze.
Before I knew it, the eclipse began.
A quick hour passed and then came the 90 seconds of totality. The temperature dropped, the sky darkened to resemble twilight. The sun was a ball of white wavy lines dancing and swirling around the shadow of the moon. It was nothing I’d imagined.
And then it was over.
The bright sun and warmth returned and soon and we were on our way home, ambling along small highways and by-ways, following rivers and canyons. In the afternoon, we crested Mt Rainier and stopped to take in the Cascade range, the fields of wild flowers and the snowy glacier.
Even though it took 9 hours, it was an absolute joy ride.
Back at home, feeling refreshed and renewed, I’m reminded to have faith.
Like me, use the eclipse as a reset.
Remember that everything is possible when you bring to mind 3 things:
1. Relax
When you relax, it stops the mind whir.
It cancels out anxiety.
It brings you back to the breath. And you come into the moment.
2. Affirm that everything always turns out perfectly
When I start to get anxiety about a situation- be it financial, professional or logistical- one of the ways I deal with those negative feelings and mind chatter is to look at the past.
Whenever I have dealt with a similar situation it has easily been resolved.
~My bills always get paid.
~I consistently arrive at my destination safely.
~I’ve successfully done (a similar task) in the past.
Simply because this is a“new” situation does not mean it will be any different.
3. Go for It
This is the reminder to do whatever it is that you’re afraid to do
-with confidence
-with eyes wide open
-with certainty that the outcome is assured
Usually what happens is better than you even expected!
How does faith or lack of faith show up in your life?
Try using these 3 steps to help you move into the future with greater confidence, assurance and ease. Life certainly feels more exciting and vibrant when we jump in and stretch ourselves.
Let me know how it goes!
Or share your eclipse story with me and leave a comment below!
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3 Must Haves For A Happy & Rich Spiritual Life
What does it mean to be “spiritual”?
That word gets thrown around a lot.
Sometimes spirituality can sound serious. Like the word mindfulness. Maybe you imagine a room full of conscientious people, sitting and breathing in silence.
Other times it can sound airy-fairy, when people talk to angels, or leave food out for the little people.
For me, leading a “spiritual” life means committing to God but also to humanity.
What does it mean to be “spiritual”?
That word gets thrown around a lot.
Sometimes spirituality can sound serious. Like when people talk about "mind training." That phrase can feel daunting and complicated.
Other times spirituality can sound airy-fairy, when people talk to angels, or leave food out for the little people.
For me, leading a “spiritual” life means committing to God but also to humanity.
In other words it’s about being in the world, aware and conscious, with a wide-open heart, while also deeply connecting to the one-ness, to God, to source.
In the decades that I've been studying and living this truth, I've discovered that there are 3 things you need to have a grounded, rich, soul filled life.
1. A Healthy Body
Have you ever tried to meditate when you’re sick?
If you have, then you know exactly why this is here.
It’s so hard to focus the mind and sit still when the body is aching, or out of alignment.
Care for your body.
Treat it like the temple that it is for it houses your soul on earth. AND it’s here with you on this journey the entire time.
Your body is your constant companion.
Eat healthy foods.
Move.
Treat your body with the love and respect it deserves.
2. Heal Your Mind
I don’t know one adult who hasn’t experienced suffering.
As Buddhism reminds us, this is one of the Four Noble Truths; life is suffering.
For some, this can be physical – starvation, deprivation, illness.
For all of us, it is emotional.
And here’s the dirty little secret: what you don’t deal with, your unconscious material, rules your life.
Be willing to examine that anger, lack of trust, anxiety or depression.
Often these symptoms hark back to unresolved issue from childhood. Common ones are: feeling unloved, abandoned or unsupported.
How can you release that old pattern or limiting belief?
Does it involve forgiveness, a frank discussion with someone, creating healthy boundaries?
What you don’t see has all the power. So make the invisible visible and walk through the pain.
Whenever I get scared of doing this, I’m reminded of a passage in A Road Less Traveled, by M Scott Peck in which he says:
“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
Pain can be the great transformer because it can push us to change, learn, grow and evolve.
It also helps us remember that we are not our neurosis.
We are in fact already whole and healed, perfect in every way. We just have to remember and re-align to that.
So be willing to ground yourself both in your physical body and your mind.
3. Maintain a Practice
Whatever it is that you are inclined to do: prayer, breath work, meditation, yoga, free dance, chanting, ritual, mantra…
Make it a habit. Commit to it every day.
It is the only way to truly shift and release.
Whatever you experience during meditation, eventually you will come back to this present, the here and now and to this body and mind.
That’s why it’s critical that your mind and body are strong and healthy. As you build your spiritual muscles and gain more power, you have to be able to hold it. This is why you need a strong physical and mental constitution.
What’s your favorite way to nurture your mind, body or spirit?