5 Simple Ways to Create a Powerful Spiritual Routine
No, this is not just for “religious” people.
Some people might call me “religious”, but they’d be wrong.
I went to seminary — I have a Master’s Degree in Religion, with an emphasis in biblical interpretation, no less. But I didn’t want to be a minister.
The truth is, I’m not really Christian enough for most Christian churches. I don’t agree with everything on their “This We Believe” page.
And that’s okay. I still enjoy a relationship with what many people call “God.” I tend to call Her the Universe, or the Divine, or simply, Love. And I feel supported and connected to the Divine when I engage in regular spiritual practices.
What follows are five of those practices, for your consideration.
Meditation
The benefits of meditation have been well-documented by organizations like Mayo Clinic and include:
- stress relief
- increased self-awareness
- reducing negative emotions
- increasing emotions like patience and tolerance
Of course, meditation can also be a form of prayer or spiritual solitude. When I take even five minutes to meditate silently, I naturally become more aware of the present moment. In that awareness, I can access inner peace (after my thoughts settle).
To meditate, you can simply set a timer on your phone for a few minutes, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. The benefits of meditation tend to be felt over time so if you don’t notice immediate changes, don’t give up. Just keep coming back to the practice and you’ll reap the rewards.
I mention meditation because I believe things like stress relief and overcoming negative emotions can be part of a healthy spiritual practice. I know I usually feel connected to something larger than myself whenever my feelings of anxiety or worry lift after a meditation session.
Walking
I live in an area that stays relatively warm throughout the autumn season. So I try to walk every afternoon. It gives me a chance to clear my head, take a break from being productive, and just enjoy the moment.
Sometimes I pray silently when I walk but other times I simply notice my surroundings: the trees, the grass, the birds, the blue sky. It’s like a form of meditation.
Walking in a natural environment can feel spiritually supportive because, again, it connects us with something larger than ourselves. When we appreciate Mother Nature, we commune with an ancient, ever-present reality — with life itself.
Journaling
I journal almost every day. Sometimes when I journal, I write a letter to my Higher Self and ask Her for advice. She always answers me, as I continue writing. For example, I might say:
“I’ve been feeling down today. Can you help me feel better?”
She always responds with support and love, saying something like:
“Absolutely, Amy. I’m so glad you came to me for help. I’m here for you. Let’s talk through your feelings and see if we can come up with a way for you to feel better . . .”
Then I’ll keep writing, switching back and forth between my voice and the voice of my Higher Self, creating a dialogue between us.
This practice has never failed to help me as long as I take the time to really give it my full attention. I encourage you to give it a try.
Surrender
I think the word “surrender” probably gets a bad rap. I used to have a real problem with the idea of surrendering my will to the Will of God. But that was back when I thought of God as a separate being with a personality that might clash with mine.
Now I see God as a nonpersonal, ultimate reality. So to surrender to “God” is more like surrendering to the flow of life. When I surrender, I’m admitting to myself and the Divine that I am not in control of everything. I’m not in charge of every single thing that happens.
This might seem obvious and not worth pointing out, but I’ve found that when I take a moment to truly admit to myself and the Universe that I’m not in control, I acknowledge that something else might be in control. Somehow.
It’s a mystery to me, how life works. But when I surrender, I feel like I’m letting myself off the hook. Like I don’t have to have all the answers. It’s okay to not know everything. I can simply choose to trust life and go with the flow.
Forgiveness
Speaking of letting myself off the hook, forgiveness has become an important practice for me. Especially self-forgiveness.
I can be really hard on myself sometimes, how about you? I compare myself to other people and often feel like I come up short. I think things like: “I’m not as successful as him” or “I wish I had the relationship she has.”
I have a beautiful vision for my life that’s exactly the way I want it. This vision is helpful when it inspires me to have faith and to take action from a place of trust.
But when I berate myself for falling short of my vision, it negates the benefits of that vision. I’m left feeling inadequate and hopeless. I think, “I’ll never be as successful as him” or “I’ll never have a relationship like hers.”
It’s at that point that I need to practice forgiving myself. It’s simple. I just say, silently or aloud:
“Amy, I forgive you for having these fear-based thoughts. I know you’re doing the best you can, and I’m deciding for us that we’re going to have faith right now.”
Short. Simple. Effective. And something I often have to repeat many times throughout the day. But that’s okay. Because I’m doing the best I can. And so are you.
Wherever you are in life, whatever you’re going through, a strong spiritual routine can support your mental and emotional health. These practices can help you feel connected to something bigger than you, which I have found to be a great source of comfort.