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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Skydiving - A Lesson In Trust
About a month ago, I finally went skydiving!
I’d been flirting with the idea for 30 years but it just never happened.
And then I got scared.
Around the winter holidays, my daughter started bugging us to go skydiving as a family.
I reluctantly agreed and we scheduled to go in January. Our reservation repeatedly got canceled due to bad weather. My daughter returned to college and I was off the hook!
As the months ticked by, I began to realize that I had to face this fear.
About a month ago, I finally went skydiving!
I’d been flirting with the idea for 30 years but it just never happened.
And then I got scared.
Around the winter holidays, my daughter started bugging us to go skydiving as a family.
I reluctantly agreed and we scheduled to go in January. Our reservation repeatedly got canceled due to bad weather. My daughter returned to college and I was off the hook!
As the months ticked by, I began to realize that I had to face this fear.
Could I jump out of an airplane and be present instead of feeling paralyzed?
By May, I was ready. My daughter came home again and this time, the weather cooperated.
It was a beautiful spring morning. We got to the airport hangar and began filling out pages of liability forms. I voluntarily signed my life away. Then they strapped me into a tandem harness and we all crawled into the plane.
I was determined to be fully present.
My instructor was knowledgeable and super easy going which helped me relax even more.
The plane took off and flew over the Indian River Lagoon, Sebastian Inlet and the central east coast of Florida. As I took in the gorgeous panorama, I realized that I had nothing to do. I was simply along for the ride. My only job was to enjoy.
I was the first one out of the plane.
I jumped and screamed until I remembered that it didn’t feel like I was falling. I stopped shouting and inhaled comfortably thorough my nose. I relaxed and lengthened my body into a “banana” as my instructor had told me. He tapped my shoulder and I opened my arms.
I looked up and around. The wind pummeled my face and body as we continued our free fall.
Before I new it, the parachute opened and we were floating in silence. “Welcome to my office,” I heard from behind me. I smiled. It was an exquisite view.
“I’m just going to loosen these straps around your arms.”
“No!” Even though the straps were cutting into me, I immediately feared I’d fall out.
“It’s okay,” he replied, his voice even and calm as he pulled the tabs.
Nothing happened and my chest and arms were much more comfortable.
Then he said he was going to do it for my legs.
Again I panicked. “I’m fine.” I replied, not caring that the straps were practically cutting off my circulation.
“I’m supposed to,” he answered.
My instinct was to pivot around, grab him and hold on. I was afraid that somehow the straps would fail and I’d plummet to the ground.
Again, nothing happened except that my legs felt so much better.
After floating a bit longer, he offered to let me hold on to the parachute handles.
“That’s okay,” I said. Again afraid something would go wrong.
Soon he was instructing me on how to land and the entire experience was over.
I’d done it.
Later, while talking about our respective jumps with my family, I realized that I was still scared. And what came up was my lack of trust.
- Trusting that the harness would support me.
- Trusting that the instructor really knew what he’s doing.
- Trusting that I was really safe in the Universe.
- Trusting that I wouldn’t die.
I’ve come a long way with my relationship with trust. I used to trust no one. I couldn’t even relax and let go while I meditated.
Now I trust people, situations, and God but certain things still trigger me. And that’s when I realize I have more work to do.
How can I really believe that I am safe?
When I reflect back on my life, I have always been provided for and protected. And skydiving was exactly the same. Nothing happened. I was perfectly safe and comfortable.
So really, it’s just an old mind habit.
If you feel it come up for you try these great reminders:
1. Breathe
Inhale and come into the present moment.
After I jumped out of the plane and was initially frozen, I came back to awareness and realized I was not even experiencing a dropping sensation. Then I could breathe, relax and enjoy.
2. Use an Affirmation
One of my all time favorites is from Louise Hay. “I am safe in the Universe and all of life loves and supports me.” This was all I had to say to myself as my straps got loosened, right?
3. Keep Pushing Through the Fear
For decades I wouldn’t even try skydiving because I was scared something bad might happen. But for years, I lived so close to the airport in Sebastian that I could hear parachutes opening above me all day long. And they were safe. So I finally just had to walk myself through the irrational belief.
You are always bigger than your fear.
One of the reminders on my vision board is this: Be brave! I pass those words on to you.
Whatever it is that feels like it’s holding you back, it’s really just you. Jump in and do it anyway. And let me know how it goes! Tell me ONE thing you’ll do to push through your fear! Leave me a comment below! I’ll see you there.