Inviting spiritual practices into our lives, we open our hearts and become more aware of ourselves and The Universe. Whether you’re just starting out or have been on a spiritual path for years, there is always room for improvement.
I hope that some of what follows is helpful to you!
Getting Started: Creating Your Sacred Space
Designate a Quiet Space: Select somewhere at home where you can set up a small shrine, altar, or sacred area. It might be as simple as a cozy corner in the bedroom, a peaceful windowsill in the living room, or an unused bedroom in the house.
Decorate Intentionally: Decorate your sacred space with objects that inspire you and connect you to your own spiritual growth. For example, incorporate candles, crystals, incense sticks, jewelry, and flowers into your space – or any other materials which represent hope, faith, love, and connection.
Keep It Clean And Pure: Cleanse the area regularly using sage, lemongrass, incense, palo santo, or whatever herb works best for you. Lightly burning these natural elements can cleanse the energy of your sacred space and keep it fresh and vibrant.
Daily Spiritual Practices
Morning Rituals
Gratitude Journaling: Start each day by journaling about the aspects of your life that challenge you and those that bring you joy. This sets a spiritual tone – and invites an attitude of gratitude towards every aspect of your life. With regular journaling, you’ll teach yourself to release hidden emotions, be more present, and find gratitude for the little things – rather than just whining, complaining, and wanting more.
Meditation: Spend 5-10 minutes every morning sitting quietly, doing nothing, except breathing deeply in silence. Allow thoughts to come and go without becoming attached to any particular one, then return to yourself again. If beginners find this difficult, they might like to try apps like Headspace or Calm which take them through the basic processes step-by-step.
Affirmations: Write positive affirmations that resonate with you – I deserve love and healing. I am connected to the Divine Universe. I am happy, kind, awake, and present. I love life and I’m grateful for all of it!
Midday Practices
Mindful Eating: During meals, take time to eat slowly and savor each flavor mindfully; be present with what you taste, its texture, and the nourishment provided by the food. This practice improves digestion, grounds us, and expands our awareness.
Nature Walks: Whenever possible, go for walks outside to connect deeply with the natural elements. Appreciate the beauty all around you – including the singing birds, the rustling leaves, and the cloud formations in the sky. A nature walk will have a rejuvenating effect on your whole Being.
Breathwork: Simple breathwork is a wonderful practice to add to your daily routine. For example, inhaling deeply through the nose, pausing briefly, then exhaling slowly via the mouth creates a state of relaxation that lowers cortisol and stress levels – and helps you feel more relaxed from head to toe.
Evening Rituals
Reflective Journaling: Before going to sleep, reflect on what happened during the day, including any spiritual insights gained and feelings experienced. As they emerge, write about and then release each one with gratitude. Find a healthy detachment from the day’s activities and soothe your spirit before laying your head on the pillow.
Reading Spiritual Texts: Take some time to read uplifting and illuminating books immersed in your religion or a spirituality that resonates with your personal belief system. Whether traditional like the Bhagavad Gita or Tao Te Ching, allow yourself to be open to the purest teachings and guidance..
Prayer/Chanting: Engage in prayers and chanting to open your heart and connect you with The Divine. This could be anything from the classic Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” to pagan chants and other sanskrit mantras. Prayers and mantra have deep and enduring healing power.
Weekly Spiritual Practices
Yoga: Engage in one or more yoga sessions every week. This strengthens the body and connects the mind and spirit to the most uplifting energies. You can find classes at local studios or on many popular healing and video platforms. You might also explore Udemy.com for free and inexpensive classes.
Energy Healing: Try energy healing practices like Reiki and Pranic Healing. You can find local practitioners to help you along the healing path.
Community Involvement: Join a spiritual group or community. Meeting people who have similar interests and beliefs can provide support and deepen your practice. There are many loving and helpful spiritual groups who meet online and in person.
Uncommon & Unconventional Practices
Moon Rituals: Connect your spiritual practice with the lunar cycle. On the new moon, perform healing, cleansing, and vision rituals. On the full moon, perform release and gratitude rituals. Following these natural rhythms can improve our energy levels and wellbeing.
Tarot & Oracle Cards: Gain insight and guidance through tarot or oracle cards – and systems like Runes and The Shankara Oracle. Daily or weekly, draw cards and stones, and reflect on the messages and how they apply to your life. It’s wonderful when these tools help us see ourselves clearly. The more illusions we release, the more emotions we release, and the more illuminated we become.
Sacred Dance: Do ecstatic dance or movement meditation. Allow your body to move freely to music while expressing emotions and connecting with your inner self.
Sound Healing: Use singing bowls, gongs, or tuning forks for sound healing. They produce different vibrations that help balance energies within us, hence promoting health.
Plant Spirit Medicine: Utilize plants to help you heal; this may involve herbs, essential oils, or working in gardens. Plant medicine is the real deal. The subtle vibrations of herbs and flowers can heal and nurture us on many subtle levels.
Integrating Spiritual Practices into Your Lifestyle
Consistency is Key: Start small but build consistency – even 1 practice for 5 minutes each day will have a healing impact over time.
Stay Open & Curious: Continue to test yourself with various practices until something clicks. You might also mix and match traditions to see what resonates and illuminates you the most.
Be Kind To Yourself: Be gentle throughout these processes because healing takes time. Begin by admitting the challenges and appreciating yourself. Progress in ways that feel soothing to you. Over time, you’ll know when it’s best to add to your daily routine.
Listen To Your Intuition: Trust what feels right inside – if it doesn’t feel right, let it go.
Seek Guidance: Teachers, mentors, and spiritual guides can provide insights and support when needed. Reach out to those with whom you feel aligned and seek their counsel.
Seek a spiritual guru like Amma (Amma.org) or Mother Meera to help you awaken to your inner master and your ancient, divine Self.
Embracing a Spiritual Lifestyle for Healing
Spiritual practices offer profound healing and are truly beautiful and transformative. When you make these practices part of your everyday routine, they create a sacred rhythm that feeds all aspects of oneself – body, mind, and spirit. Never forget that you are here to dive deeply into yourself and understand how unlimited you are. Explore what works best for you to invite more love, peace, and joy into your life.