Spiritual Practice

Suggestions for a Rewarding Spiritual Practice

A daily spiritual practice is basic for all spiritual growth and development. It is needed for increasing one’s personal light factor, for purifying heart and mind, elevating the emotional body, and ultimately, awakening to the True Nature of everything. While a simple formula may not address the specific growth needs of every person, a number of practices have been shown to be helpful for spiritual aspirants over the past several millennia. Here are some suggestions:

1. Set aside a period of at least 20-30 minutes for your spiritual practice. As you mature spiritually, you will likely expand the length of your practice sittings. While one practice period per day should be considered the basic minimum, you will find it beneficial to practice at least two times a day, perhaps once in the morning and once in the evening. If two sittings are not possible for you, then always do at least one each day.
2. To establish a pattern of regularity, sit (or practice) at the same time and in the same place. Create your own “sacred space,” and fill it daily with your intentions for purified thoughts, speech and actions. Enjoy the elevated ambiance you create in your special place of spiritual practice.
3. You may choose to begin your practice with prayers. These may be prayers written out or prayers offered directly from your heart. Use a prayerful mind to connect you with the universe, the spiritual plane, and all other sentient beings.
4. In your meditation, you may focus on a specific theme or question, use mantra or chanting, simply sit fully conscious in silence, or use specific visualizations you have found to be particularly helpful. Visualization on health and healing, on increasing the light you carry in your body/mind, or cutting through specific obstacles that arise upon your path can all be helpful and effective.
5. Yoga is also a useful avenue for spiritual practice. Before starting physical movement or assuming a particular yoga posture, bring your mind fully into the present moment. Create total awareness of your body, and maintain it as you move into stretches and take yoga postures. Remember, yoga is meditation, not physical exercise.
6. It is a good idea to close your practice time with a specific dedication. You may dedicate the merits of your practice to a specific cause or situation, or you may simply dedicate them to the benefit of all beings. In either case, you establish a connection between yourself, your progress, and your focus to a much bigger picture.