In a previous post, I described my personal take on spirituality in a general way. I emphasized the importance of seeing all of life as a spiritual practice, rather than simply believing a certain set of ideas. But ideas can be important, too, and so can dogma. They can help guide you on your path.
That’s why today I’m going to list for you some of the major spiritual practices I’ve discovered and committed to over the past few months. Here they are:
1. Say affirmations frequently.
2. Pray for ten minutes every morning.
3. Read books on spirituality.
4. Journal negative thoughts and counter each with positive ones.
5. Attend church and cultivate friendships with spiritual people.
6. Send healing, loving energy to others.
7. Respect people no matter where they are at in their journey and how evolved they are.
8. Be open to new friendships and new experiences at all times.
9. Do not distract yourself with computer games and television when not with others. Use the time alone for intellectual or spiritual growth or reflection, etc.
10. Meditate. Imagine your spiritual guide (in my case, my baby Jane). Talk to her, either silently or out loud.
11. Allow yourself to experience all emotions fully, especially sympathy and compassion.
12. Make friendships a priority. Seek was to communicate acceptance, love, peace and joy to others.
13. Sing.
14. Each and every day, make the decision to listen to your inner guidance and intuition. Regularly check in with it, asking what is best to do next. Practice following the voice until it becomes a deeply ingrained habit.
15. Let your sadness be a path to more spiritual awareness and more compassion for others.
16. Every soul is holy. Honor each one you come into contact with.
17. Do not be offended by others. Respect their journeys. Show them more love than they expect.
18. Focus on good feelings, not bad ones. Be a light-focused, positive person.
So. These are the spiritual practices I’ve outlined for myself so far. I call them dogma, but they aren’t rigid rules like that word implies. I don’t think I could ever be that way about religion again.
Thank God.
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The mere fact that you are flexible with your spiritual beliefs is a blessing as far as I am concerned. People who have that “dogma” that is inflexible, as far as I see, means they can’t really grow. I have a spirituality that bends and stretches with each new thought and idea I come into contact with. It doesn’t mean I don’t stick to what I believe; I simply know that I don’t know it all and God will help me if I am open to Him in every experience.
Scott
PS – I love movies and video games: they are what I do for a time when I can. So, we may have to agree to disagree, somewhat, on number 9. lol