Some people can take or leave spirituality. This is totally understandable of course, except those that do tend to express spirituality in other ways. It may come from their gratitude for their loving family, the joy they appreciate when they hear a child’s laugh, taking a walk in the park in the morning and feeding the birds, or connecting to their creative spirit when playing an instrument.
In other words, not all of us actively practice spirituality, but in essence, being a human itself is quite a spiritual, or at least emotional, activity. It’s quite unlikely that any of us would be here to begin with, and so connecting to something beyond ourselves, no matter how we choose to define it, does seem to be an urge many people have. If you don’t, that’s totally a correct answer too.
But what if you’d like to inform spirituality in your life? Where’s the best place to get started? Let’s consider that, below:
You Don’t Have To Follow Organized Religion
If you’d like to get involved with an established faith, this is more than possible. Perhaps you’d like to visit your local church, or connect more to the Jewish heritage of your partner and undergo that conversion process, or convert to Islam. If this inspires you, then no one can tell you otherwise, and sometimes a healthy curiosity is all it takes to start that pursuit.
But it’s also true that you don’t need organized religion to connect to your spirituality. This is because spirituality s more of a faith-based activity and not necessarily one you have to define within the scripture of something already laid out. So if you’re concerned that you don’t feel that religious but do feel spiritual, don’t worry, you’re more than valid in that. Perhaps you just feel spiritual when attending to your garden in the evening and the sun sets, showcasing beautiful orange streaks in the sky, making you think of the world beyond you. If that’s all it is, that’s more than acceptable.
Have Fun With Your Spirituality
The idea that spirituality means falling to your knees and only ever feeling minimal, small, wrong, or in need of redemption is a little outdated. You’re just as spiritual or engaging in faith if you dance, laugh, and enjoy a comfortable time among your loved ones. All of that can be inspiring, and give you the nourishment you need to enjoy your life, week after week, year after year.
You might also dabble into the fun side of spirituality by reading stories about spirituality throughout history or even using spell kits with a friend.
Of course, travel is also a wonderful part of spirituality in a macro sense. It’s why many people walk the Camino de Santiago each year, a wonderful hiking route that not only feels enjoyable to take part in, but gives us appreciation for nature, for the attitude of older faith-based people making a pilgrimage, and the incredible history and culture of this area in question.
Make Meditation Part Of Your Schedule
Meditation isn’t exactly the same as prayer, but it can be if you want to practice it that way. You can see the benefits of meditation no matter your purpose – sitting down and contemplating your sense of self, focusing on your breathing to improve concentration, and reading to improve focus can be a wonderful use of your free time, and give you the energy you need to keep moving forward.
Making meditation part of your schedule is also a relaxing attitude to the stresses of the world, especially with how much digital noise we have as part of our lives. Instead of doomscrolling or constantly reading news updates, a night spent meditating, journaling or simply relaxing in your living room with gentle music and lit candles can be a joy.
Seek Any Guidance You Need
It’s also healthy to consider any guidance you’re looking for because this can serve as a spiritual act. It might be that you never attend church, but after a funeral or when dealing with grief, you feel compelled to reach out to your local church representative for solace and to talk through your faith, because that can provide more clarity to you even if you’re not usually religious in the slightest.
This is hardly the only place you can visit. Guidance might also come from counselors, a loving friend, or perhaps even your past self if you read old diaries or journals you’ve engaged with. Sometimes, admitting we’re struggling and asking someone or something for help can be a good way of reaching beyond ourselves and thinking of a wider, more open scale. You may be surprised just how much value there is in such an approach., as bottling in our most insecure feelings is never a good balm for the soul.
Let It Take Time
Spirituality isn’t a binary from black to white. You can determine exactly how much it means to you and what that’s worth over time, if you allow yourself the space to prosper as needed. Letting this process take time is not only better for your wellbeing, but it will help you avoid forcing it, or feeling a sense of obligation.
Of course, if you’re generally committed to trying to be religious, then attending services and reading scripture is recommended and generally a good idea. But that doesn’t mean you have to devote your entire life into something without the express consent of doing so.
Letting your natural curiosity take time and develop organically, even if that means losing interest, is more than acceptable. There are no points to score here, and no test to pass. When you have spirituality as part of your life, it should nurture you more than it takes. That in itself is a good sign you’re on the right track.
With this advice, you’re sure to connect to a better sense of spirituality going forward in your life.
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