5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Ask anyone for health advice and no matter what they say, it comes down to what you eat and how much you exercise. Not easy for sure, but essentially fairly simple. Not so with your spiritual health – that is far more complicated. So when I was asked to discuss the 5 ways to improve your spiritual health, I had to dig deeply for the following.
1. Contemplative solace. I love the word solace. The thesaurus comes up with these similar words: comfort, consolation, support, relief, succor, and help. Finding a way to go within yourself to open to any of the experiences described here is a most important way to begin spiritual awakening and healing. Just being by yourself quietly for as long as you can (20 minutes is ideal, but 5 minutes is also a good beginning.) For some people, concentrating on breathing in and out gives a way to get to that mellow place. If that isn’t your kind of contemplative practice, try the same with new age type pleasant music or sounds (like rain or ocean waves.) If you are a visual person, pull up some classical art – painting, statue, photograph, religious icon – and lose yourself in the deeper emotions it evokes in you.
2. Reading. There is a world of literature to consider. Of course you can read sacred texts (each of the world’s major religions has its own.) I can speak as someone raised as a Protestant in America. I once read the New Testament front to back. I have read what we call the Old Testament here and there. I have often gotten much out of books written about various aspects of spirituality. I hesitate to recommend what I read because it is like ice cream flavors – what I like may not be what you like. I suggest you go to the library or book store and look through some physical print books to see what catches your eye. Google can also be a search protocol that responds to various searches. Try “spiritually inspiring books” as a beginning. I found reading about the spiritual experiences of many people was enriching beyond measure. With any reading or exploration I suggest you absorb all of it at first, then squeeze out what doesn’t resonate for you and keep what seems intriguing. Your reading can be in the form of novels, non-fiction, daily reflections, or internet posts. Consider reading the spiritual book PRESENCE Recognizing the Divine in Your Everyday Life, and reading the articles and blogs.
3. Join a group. There is magic in discussing spiritual paths with others. We tend to learn about ourselves by talking and listening. Especially since spiritual discussions are often not open even among close friends, not with neighbors, and certainly not at work, you might find that having a group dedicated to the open and supportive discussion of spiritual questions can be enriching beyond any expectations.
4. Write. Do some kind of writing. Some people love to journal, and there are so many ways in which to construct a spiritual journal that looking into various forms is in itself an adventure. Perhaps you aren’t one of those people. Consider writing something that is daily, but far shorter than a journal. Some people like keeping a list (added to every day) of things for which they are grateful. Some people like to consider one spiritual focus each day to write down in the morning and reflect on at night. This practice is greatly helped by having a spiral notebook and pen at bedside. Consider writing a poem, song lyrics, story, or fairy tale that expresses your spiritual search.
5. Spiritual direction. Guidance with a coach for the purpose of enriching your spiritual awareness is called “spiritual direction.” You can meet with someone to engage in having a one on one, regularly scheduled time with you. This person may be a leader from a religious organization if you regularly attend. Or you may search for someone who is a professional who, similar to a counselor, charges a fee for their time. With today’s easy access through teleconferencing, you can meet with someone from anywhere in the world and never have to leave your own home or office. I offer spiritual direction by Zoom and you can read more about it and contact me through my website. PRESENCE Everyday