Maintaining Spiritual Practice
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Peaceful Warrior
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I am convinced my well-being is direct result of Spirit-centered living. Practice what is personal for you! Sing HU, repeat a mantra, mix things up. I say gratitudes while doing tasks that I don’t particularly enjoy...dishes (I’m grateful I ate, grateful I had a plate, grateful for hot water). No reason to compare or think there is a right way! You are on your personal path!
You are right! I forgot about speaking mantras and gratitude statements during unpleasant tasks. Thank you!! Quick Question... What is HU?
Peaceful Warrior
Registrant
I sound sung either aloud or silently, as “aum” in some meditation practices. During the Light and Sound gatherings in ECKANKAR, the HU aligns to Spirit which for me takes me out of Ego. When I’m discontented, fearful, or anxious....I’m being expectant of an outcome from which I should be detached. Balance, peace, harmony comes to me on the “Middle Way”.
I agree that a practice doesn't have to be elaborate to yield benefit. I have a yoga bolster and mat on the floor that I'll occasionally lie against to open my chest. I do spiritual reading most days. This morning I spent forty minutes virtually with a teacher I've known for 35 years. Occasionally, I watch a video of a teaching, a teacher, a sacred place. I'm off in a few minutes for a walk in nature. Washing dishes, making the bed, putting away clothes can all be done with openness. I've done such things in the past with impatience or anger. It is very different doing these things with an open heart. As an occasional student of Taoism I'm wearing a yin and yang medallion around my neck... there are multiple altars in my home, multiple Buddha statues... favorite quotes on my refrigerator. I appreciate the line that we're all spiritual beings having a human experience... Have a lovely day everyone. The sun is shining and the trails beckon.
Peaceful Warrior
Registrant
Blessings! Peace! Thank you
Religion that is organized isn't likely going to support a deep exploration of our own spirituality... it will be trying to convince us that they have all the answers and the solution is in believing them. Spiritual practice is really about opening our hearts to this moment. On my hike yesterday there were wild irises blanketing the hillsides. NO church, no religious service could come close to the beauty offered up by those flowers free of charge, free of dogma. I'll take a hike in the woods every day before an hour in any church unless it is a great cathedral I visit to witness the architectural splendor.
Many years ago I encountered Wendell Berry's Sabbath Poems. His wife went to church and he rambled around his farm to marvel at the natural world. I typed out this poem of his... enjoy. Even a fallen tree can be beautiful if we look closely enough.
Many years ago I encountered Wendell Berry's Sabbath Poems. His wife went to church and he rambled around his farm to marvel at the natural world. I typed out this poem of his... enjoy. Even a fallen tree can be beautiful if we look closely enough.
Peaceful Warrior
Registrant
I don’t ascribe to a religion. Look within. You are a Sovereign being. You and only you can choose your path. What’s right for some is wrong for others, vice versa. Universal Law. Love IS JUSTICE.
I can agree with what Peaceful Warrior wrote
For me a big change was to realize that for me spirituality comes first. That insight helped me to create balance in my life. Before that i was considering spirituality as something separate from everyday life and work. After that, i realized i just needed to re-arrange the order. Spirituality now can go together with everyday life and work. It was a matter of priority.
To come back to your question, i can give you a little bit of advice from my own experience. First find out what helps you to stay centered and focused and what you like for a spiritual practice. And then make it a habit. Even doing a practice only as little as five minutes a day can transform things. With a continious effort, it eventually becomes much more easy to access this inner source of wisdom when you're in a difficult situation. So if you find something that works for you, stick with it!
And be gentle with yourself if you're in a crisis. Life will remain a bumby ride, but slowly but surely you can learn to ride the wave instead of crashing from them. It can help if you realize that everything changes continously. One moment you're happy, next moment you're grumpy. Same with good fortune. Eventually good luck runs out and then you suffer for a while. If you prepare yourself for this, next time a crisis hits, you can recognize what's going on and then you can snap out of it more easily.
That find out what helps you to stay centered and focused and what you like for a spiritual practice. And then make it a habit. Even doing a practice only as as five minutes a day can transform things. With a continious effort, it eventually becomes much more easy to access this inner source of wisdom when you're in a difficult situation. So if you find something that works for you, stick with it!
And be gentle with yourself if you're in a crisis.
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Thanks! I get anxious that what I'm doing doesn't work (or won't work often). I will worry that it's not enough or that it's "wrong". I end up wanting someone to tell me what to do, which I struggle against because I struggle with giving others power over my life. I struggle with not having a parent to guide me. They only pointed out my mistakes and weakness. I need to be praised and told that I am doing good... That I am good. I feel helpless and vulnerable at times. Like I'm lost without being told what to do, where to go, what to be.
And be gentle with yourself if you're in a crisis.
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Thanks! I get anxious that what I'm doing doesn't work (or won't work often). I will worry that it's not enough or that it's "wrong". I end up wanting someone to tell me what to do, which I struggle against because I struggle with giving others power over my life. I struggle with not having a parent to guide me. They only pointed out my mistakes and weakness. I need to be praised and told that I am doing good... That I am good. I feel helpless and vulnerable at times. Like I'm lost without being told what to do, where to go, what to be.
I believe what you say but is that enough?
Great poem! Its been many years since I attended church but I still link it with spirituality. You and some of the others here, speak with such confidence about your beliefs and approach. It is reassuring. I know feeling reassured is a part of my need for an authority figure. I hate that about myself. But I will move forward.
What you missed, as did many of the men here, is the kind of parent that would have helped you to inhabit your body with confidence so you might feel safe in the world. Without that we're left to struggle through the kind of confusion you speak about. It is wonderful that you can share those struggles here and engage with other men who are working hard to find their way. In that process you can develop your own confidence. We experiment and assess how things are working, exactly as you are doing. Hang in there. This is the healing journey and we're doing it together.
Thank you. I will take in that reminder. I'm focusing too much on the goal of completing the healing journey.