Awaken To Joy

Spiritual Practice: Shifting the Shower

I realized about two years ago that I used my time showering in the morning to think about my fears and get myself adrenalized for the day.  I found I actually felt better on days when I didn’t shower until later in the day since I wasn’t “setting” myself up for fear and negativity. 

 

I decided to change what I did with my shower time.  (I am amazed at how long it took me to shift the behavior, the thoughts were so ingrained!)  I now use the time to do mindful meditation and choose positive thoughts of inspiration, setting myself up for a day of love and compassion.  It also creates eagerness for all of the wonderful things I anticipate occurring in my life (rather worrying about the terrible things that could happen.)  What a change in my day!

 

Spiritual Practice: Define “Spiritual Practice”

This question led to some interesting discussion on the teleclasses.  Everyone agreed that his/her definition of “spiritual practice” had evolved over the years to become much broader.  Almost everyone felt they had originally equated spiritual practice with whatever was included in their religion such as attending weekly services, reading scriptures, prayer, etc.  Most people had since, and especially in light of the module, had added many more items to their list of what connects them.

 

Two other ideas flowed from this discussion.  The first is people felt quite aware that certain practices help them connect much faster and more directly than others.  Certain particularly inspiring authors (Dr. Wayne Dyer for me), listening to Mozart, and skiing down a mountain in Colorado for one participant, are direct links to our higher selves.  Think about your own practice.  What is the best part of your practice, the part that connects you fastest?  Do you know?

 

The other idea was concerning the efficacy of your practice.  How do you know it is working?   Everyone agreed they knew if there practice was working based on how they feel.  How everyone felt, though, was different.  One person felt her practice was working when she noticed she wasn’t trying to “be” a certain way.  Another person commented that she feels more love.  Another felt less judgmental.  Another said she has noticed that she reacts and is different in situations that come up regularly such as being with her family.  I can tell by my level of negativity.

 

I love this question because it is important to make sure your practice is working.  How do you measure success?

 

 

Spiritual Practice: What Does Being “Connected” Feel Like?

This question sparked some thoughtful comments.  One person wasn’t sure she had ever felt connected so we first stepped back and discussed what being “connected” meant.  Most people agreed that it meant having a direct link to our deeper self, an awareness of harmony in the world, knowing God is there and listening.  I think there is great latitude to the definition, though. What does it mean to you?

 

Then we discussed what it feels like to be connected and there were a variety of answers.  We all agreed that when we feel this link to our deeper self, judgment and negativity fall away.  There is a deep peace and an inner knowing that everything is as it should be, even if everything isn’t what we think we desire.  We also feel connected to all of those around us so compassion is easily accessed.  One person described the feeling as “light and free”. 

 

The interesting aspect of the discussion was how we all agreed overwhelmingly that we find life easier and more joyful when we are in the connected place.  Yet our practice, the things that keep us connected, was the first to be dropped away when life became hectic.  What can you do this week to keep yourself connected?

Spiritual Practice: No Time for My Practice

Are you kidding me?  I have no time for a practice!  I have a job, kids, a house to take care of, meals to prepare, a lawn to cultivate, clubs I have joined, activities to drive my children to… responsibilities.  The list can be endless. 

 

When someone asked the Dalai Lama how she was suppose to find time to do a practice within the confines of her incredibly busy life, the Dalai Lama chuckled.  He said he definitely has a busy life, yet he finds time for a few hours of meditation each morning (before the sun rises!)  He then went on to say that, truly, we miss the point when we think of a practice as something we “fit in” to our day.  We have an opportunity to practice 24-hours each day. 

 

I find two ideas come out of the Dalai Lama’s words for me.  The first, and most important, is the idea that we can always practice.  We do not need separate quiet time to connect to our higher selves, to be kind to others, to choose to feel good.   (Wayne Dyer always replaces “good” with “God” in that phrase.  Anytime you “feel good” you are “feeling God”.)  Each minute is an opportunity to be connected.  How can you do it right now?

 

The other idea I received is that he can fit in meditation – hours of it – within the confines of the hectic schedule any head of state maintains.  I think I can find at least 15 minutes for deeper focus.  If I can’t, I need to have a conversation to myself around my priorities and my concept of time (a conversation I tend to have frequently! J )  I do find that whenever I am more connected to my higher self, time does seem to open up as if by magic.  Now that is a powerful place to be!