How to Discover the Power of Your Spiritual Repertoire

Whatever makes your spirit sigh with relief, rest in these things

T he days of New Years resolutions and goal-setting are long over.

As the long winter clings to the legs of spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, I’m dying for a spiritual reset. How about you?

Here’s your reminder to make time this month to compassionately observe where you are, take notes about what you find, and make new opportunities for spiritual growth.

This spring, I’m starting my spiritual reset by taking stock of the spiritual resources I use when I need a boost and learning how to use them along my journey. Won’t you join me?

Spiritual Repertoires 101

Each of us has a collection of spiritual resources that we turn to when we’re in need of spiritual fulfillment. I like to think of it as a spiritual repertoire.

The resources that make up our spiritual repertoires aren’t limited to traditional religious sources like Scriptures, rituals, prayer, or community fellowship.

They can be anything: nature, music, TV shows, memes, friendships, animals snuggles, naps, solo dance parties, cooking, books, writing poetry, travel, gaming — whatever makes our spirits sigh with relief.

Take the example of Minister Monique Fortuné, a self-identified “spiritual seeker” who I interviewed on my podcast Called to Be Multiple.

Minister Fortuné has an eclectic and expansive spiritual repertoire including music from all genres, theological writings, various forms of prayer, social justice movements, poetry, nature walks, Bible study, gratitude practices, and what she calls a “laughing and crying ministry.”

Minister Fortuné doesn’t limit her spiritual repertoire to the traditional resources of Catholic Christianity that she grew up with, nor does she limit her spiritual repertoire to the resources from the United Church of Christ community in which she is soon to be ordained.

She embraces what brings her spiritual fulfillment, even if it diverges from the institutional religion that she participates in.

Our spiritual repertoires might contain elements of particular religious traditions, of course, but they are always unique to our individual experiences and spiritual sensibilities.

Everyone has a spiritual repertoire regardless of their religious ties (or lack thereof). That repertoire doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s or fit the way in which religious authorities say it should look.

That’s not only okay, but it’s a beautiful thing that reflects the vast diversity of spiritual identities in our world.

What We Do Isn’t Always What We Need

Discovering and building our spiritual repertoires can lead to greater spiritual fulfillment, but sometimes what we turn to when we are in need of spiritual care isn’t actually what brings us healing.

We have to be honest with ourselves. There are times when each of us resists what works for us spiritually and gives into habits that only deplete our energies more.

Finding spiritual rest and fulfillment means being intentional about engaging with the resources that provide us with spiritual rest, healing, and care, instead of moving along a rut of habitual activity that doesn’t satisfy our spirits.

How to Engage with Your Spiritual Repertoire

Reflect. First, reflect upon what brings you spiritual sustenance and fulfillment. Consider these questions:

What do you run to when you’re drained and exhausted?

Are these things helping you feel rested and cared for spiritually?

What sources truly sustain and fill you?

Your answers to the last question are some of the resources in your spiritual repertoire. Now you are aware of what isn’t working as well as the truly effective spiritual tools and resources at your disposal.

Assess. Now that you’ve identified the resources in your spiritual repertoire, it’s time to assess whether or not they are authentic to you. Consider the following:

Are these resources true to your experiences, your identity, and your heart?

Don’t give in to pressure to be spiritual in the ways in which your religion(s) or communities are. Your individual form of spiritual expression is valid and important to the world.

Have you taken resources from others’ repertoires without considering the impact?

While exploring others’ spiritual traditions can be fun and fulfilling, we have to tread very carefully in that way. It’s all-too easy to appropriate spiritual traditions that appeal to us without understanding the harmful impacts.

You don’t need to create harm (and you shouldn’t) in order to reach your full spiritual potential. It’s better to look within for what is true to your experience and your perspective before learning how to be a responsible inter-spiritual traveler.

Commit. Once you feel confident about your spiritual repertoire, commit to making those resources readily available so that you can access them when it’s time for spiritual rejuvenation.

Make playlists of soul-strengthening music, say “no” to engagements and make alone time, get outside and feel the wind on your face, schedule belly-laugh sessions with friends, put down the assignment so you can meditate for 10 minutes.

Whatever it is that makes your spirit sigh with relief, create opportunities for yourself to be with those things as much as you need (and want).

Affirm. Use the following affirmation in moments when you doubt that your spirituality is valid.

Don’t let anyone bully you into believing that what brings you spiritual fulfillment is silly or illegitimate. Our sources of spirituality are not confined to institutional religion, religious authorities, or official doctrines. We are more dynamic creatures than that.

Rest easy in these words: I have the wisdom within me. I have always had the wisdom within me.

Let go of your expectations, and enjoy the process of getting to know your spiritual repertoire. Let me know what comes from your reflections.

Until next time, take care.