Practical Spirituality: Twelve Areas of Practice for a Fulfilled Life

Sometimes we use the words spirituality and religion interchangeably but they aren't the same thing.. Even people who don't believe in the existence of a God or Higher Power can have a rich spiritual life. If you're curious Wikipedia has a good overview.

As I've reflected on what a fulfilling spiritual life consists of I've noticed that practices fall into distinct categories. Here's my fledging idea of what these may be. It's merely an overview that I'm planning to expand on at a later date.

Presence

Connection with the present moment was the first thing that sprung to mind, so it's at the top of my list. Of course you will have heard of mindfulness but it's not a 'one glove fits all' approach. Many of the major religions have their own approach but it doesn't have to be a faith practice either. Here's a link to one person's experience of secular meditation.

Inquiry

Spirituality thrives on curiosity. Studying helps us develop our understanding. My approach is eclectic. While I read 'A Course in Miracles' each day I also delve into other texts, watch YouTube videos and take online courses. My lines of spiritual inquiry are diverse and I don't restrict myself a narrow perspective. There's so much we can learn from each other.

Dialogue with an Inner Voice

Even if you're an atheist can I convince you that you have at least a couple of inner voices? Perhaps there's one that does all the moaning and groaning and a calmer one that observes all that nonsense going on! I see that one as giving me access to a Higher Power but you don't have to. In fact getting tuned into the listener is part of cognitive behavioural therapy practice. The better we get at observing and integrating those disparate voices the more we can make sense of our inner lives.

Love in Action

Gifting yourself and your possessions can be, at times, arguably the most important practice. During a time when I was intensively caring for my parents, my morning 'spiritual' practices went out of the window and were replaced by providing practical help. As I was writing this the very well known passage about love from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, came to mind, It beautifully sums up what I'd like to say here.

Atonement (Letting Go)

Traditionally people from the Judeo-Christian tradition would see this as asking for forgiveness for things that we have done wrong. Of course those Catholic confessionals come to mind. There's also the sometimes hard task of 'forgiving those who have sinned against us'. But letting go isn't just faith Releasing guilt, anger and resentment through therapy or reflection comes under this heading. 'A Course in Miracles' is big on the practice of atonement. I also find the Ho'oponono exercise valuable in its simplicity.

Caring for the Self

Yoga was the first thing I thought about when considering physical activity in a spiritual sense. However other traditions incorporate movement into their practice to allow energy to flow, to still the mind and to reconnect us with meaning. A spiritual dimension can be brought to common and garden exercise too. Walking, swimming and dance are my go-to activities. Let's not forget that leading a healthy lifestyle in general supports us in being an effective tool for service to ourselves, others and the planet.

Gratitude

Gratitude shifts perspective. Privately we might set aside time to acknowledge the things that we appreciate. My gratitude journal fulfils this role. This search for goodness amidst the turmoil is deeply fulfilling. Publicly we might openly express gratitude to others for the positive impact that they've made on our lives. We can do this through small gestures such as a smile of appreciation or we can carry out more significant acts such as gifting possession or expanses of time.

Simplicity

Being content with less comes into the spiritual realm. Decluttering and Disposal as Sacred Acts by Anna Havron expresses this view nicely. I've also remembered that Marie Kondo, the queen of organisation derives her ideas from the Shinto perspective of objects having life energy. We can also declutter emotionally and pare back routines. Most who practice simplicity in any form acknowledge the sense of freedom it brings . Sometimes less really does mean more.

Connection

Although some on a spiritual path value solitude so much that they become hermits, most thrive from support on their spiritual journey. It's good to find like minded people to fulfil this role and, of course, it's easier than ever to do this. As long as there's Internet signal you can find your tribe. And connection doesn't just have to be with other human beings. Practices that bring us closer to animal or nature could come under this heading too.

Creativity

We are all creative beings although some baulk at the idea. But this isn't just about 'being artistic'. We all 'create' each and every day. When I exercise, I'm transforming my body. If I tidy the kitchen I'm creating a space that fosters calm, allowing me to prepare food in an ordered way. And If I look around my home everything has been created by a human being. That book has been assembled so that its pages don't fall out. My frying pan is perfectly engineered so food heats evenly and doesn't stick. As we focus on a spiritual pathway the quality of our creation intensifies. Conversely if we are intentional about our creative life this leads us to a deeper connection with our spiritual nature.

Ritual

Intentional acts give rhythm and meaning to life and coincide with the passing of time. These can be simple or elaborate, solitary or shared. They anchor us in time and remind us of who and what we value.

Pilgrimage

One day I'd like to walk one of the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela. The scallop shell that mark the trails crop up all over the place on our Spanish travels.. Pilgrimage to sacred spots seems to be a feature of many faiths. Here's a list of places that pilgrims visit around the world.

Yet these journeys don't preclude those without a faith. Any special journey that has significant meaning could be viewed as a pilgrimage. Visiting the grave of an ancestor, a special monument or even a sports stadium might cut the mustard. However I do wonder if special effort has to be made to reach your sacred spot. After all, to use a well worn phrase, 'It's not the destination but the journey.'

Final Thoughts

These are the twelve types of practices that I see as forming the fabric of spiritual life. This is just a beginning, and I’ll share more reflections in future posts. Do any of these resonate with you? Is there anything that you’d add or change?

Photo: Pixabay: Pexels