Practicing Spirituality for Personal Growth
What is a Spiritual Practice?
Spiritual practices are a meaningful way to deepen our connection with the divine, to find meaning and purpose in life, and to find healing.
There are many different types of spiritual practices. Some practices are focused on connecting with others while others focus on connecting with oneself. They all have their nuances, yet all are effective, the important thing is the meaning that we give to them.
The practice of meditation is one type of spiritual practice that focuses on connecting with oneself. Meditation is associated with Hinduism and Buddhism but it is widely accepted by people from different faiths and cultures because it is so effective and there are plenty of studies to certify that. Meditation is a technique for calming the mind and becoming more aware of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, sounds, smells, and tastes without judging them. But this is just one example of spiritual practices, some would involve lighting candles, others would be burning incense, there are thousands of ways to be spiritual. Here we are going to discover 4 easy practices suitable for everybody.
4 Practices for Improving Ourselves & Creating a More Spiritual Life
The first practice is to focus on your own well-being. We often forget about our own needs and desires, but it's important to take care of ourselves. This can be as simple as taking a break from work during the day or making sure we eat healthy food. We depend on our body to function in the world, but we don't always treat it like the sacred space that it deserves to be. Nowadays, taking care of our needs may look selfish for some but this is actually a basic need that allows us to function properly. Think of Yin-yang, the goal is to live a balanced life!
The second practice is to be compassionate and kind to others. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine and forget about other people, but if we can make an effort to be more compassionate, then we will have a much better chance of living a happy life. It is well known that good relationships and being compassionate have benefits not only for others but for ourselves too. Rose quartz is the choice if you are looking for a crystal to increase love, this crystal is the stone of unconditional love and compassion.
The third practice is being mindful of our thoughts and feelings. This means not only being aware of what we are feeling in the moment but also what our underlying feelings are that may not be so evident. Mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention to intentions and thoughts, in a non-judgemental way. Mindfulness can be practiced through different techniques such as meditation and yoga, which have many benefits. These techniques help improve our cognitive function, mood, and ability to concentrate. Shadow-work and journaling also are super effective when dealing with emotions.
The fourth practice consists in finding your sacred space in nature. Sacred spaces are locations where individuals can find peace, serenity, and tranquility. For many years, people have been turning to natural environments to find these feelings. In Japan, there is a practice named Forest Bathing, that explores that connection. From the desert to the forest, nature is one of the best sources of a spiritual awakening.