I’ve been on a spiritual journey for as long as I can remember and while I no longer embrace organized religion as something that works for me, I have never wandered off the path of discovering and developing a spiritual practice that rings true to my soul.
Like in most things we practice, there are tools available for us to use. The two that impact my life the most are prayer and meditation and though, perhaps how I interpret those terms might differ from others, for me, they are the basis for remaining serene and balanced.
Prayer and meditation are different sides to the same coin. Meditation is listening to the Universe/God/Something More/Your Highest Self while prayer is your part of that conversation. It is an exchange one actively participates in through quiet times of contemplation and in turn conversing, in your own way, back to the Universe with expressions of gratitude and wonder.
When I was younger prayer seemed to involve begging and bartering. I would promise to be good in exchange for something I thought I wanted at the time. I look back now and think, gee, what a conversation to bring to the table, constantly coming from a place of need and not even trusting my Higher Power to deliver unless I had something to trade for it. Prayer eventually took on a much more sacred meaning and the prayer i most often say now is simply, “Thank You”, and I say it as often as I can.
The other prayer I take great comfort from is to ask to be able to see a situation differently. It’s not a specific request for a certain way to see it, presuming I would know better than the Universe what that would be. It is more suggesting a willingness to see things with love and having an open heart to a different perception than my current one.
Then there is meditation, and the thousands of ways to practice it. The method I use the most was taught to me by the late mystic Betty Bethards when I was in my late teens. It’s a very simple approach that I have never felt a great desire to modify or stray from. I find a quiet place and fold my hands in my lap. For the next ten minutes or so, I focus on the quiet, sinking into it and finding peace there. When I feel that internal shift where thoughts are no longer running wild, I open my palms and allow myself to be filled with energy, faith, optimism. I think of it as emptying the pitcher of the murky water and filling it again with water that is crystal clear.
You can also have moments of meditation while connecting with nature, creating art, reading spiritual works or listening to uplifting music. Though there are times we can deliberately connect through prayer and meditation we don’t have to make them just acts we perform. It becomes bigger and you can find the peace of meditation and the comfort of prayer can be woven into and throughout the day by tuning in and being aware of that desire.
There are many other tools to use on this journey but those two provide the foundation for me. Like any relationship we are in, it is give and take, talk and listen. Connecting to Something More doesn’t have to be a mysterious task that constantly brings more questions or bombards you with “the right way” to do it. Connection simply requires showing up and making the effort to be part of the relationship. It says, I am here, I am willing to have an amazing eternal conversation with my greatest Fan as her joyful creation…and I am listening.
Thoughts to ponder: Does your spiritual life bring you peace? Do you actively participate in a conversation with The Universe? Is it a balanced one?
Wow, intriguing. Great post, CC. Nature is where I find I participate and yes, it brings me great peace. I don’t know how balanced the conversation is because I don’t meditate regularly, but I think it’s something I am moving towards. Writing is a lot like meditation, and running. Both are focused moments of being present. Lots to think about. Thank you.
Thank you, katie!!
I love that you included running here. I know a runner who says that is his prayer time and I found that to be so cool.
Nature is a great one. It’s hard NOT to feel connected to Something More when surrounded by it.
Hi! Spiritual practice is something I have always been a great believer in. I am a very spiritual person. Nature is HUGE for me. Being among trees and mountains, the ocean, even rocks and desert, breathing and walking or just sitting in nature is spiritually restorative. Thanks for posting about this. It definitely makes me think about doing more focused and deliberate connecting with my spirit and many others.
Also, thank you for your awesome positivity and support on my blog. So appreciated and noted in my heart.
huggy!
E
You are so very welcome and thanks to you as well for joining in on this global conversation!! I so agree on the rejuvenating powers of nature…pure magic.
*hugs*
Perfect post for a sleepy, contemplative Monday. I avoid meditating for a) fear of not doing it the “right” way and b) for fear of what God might tell me if I actually listen! LOL.
*lol* You are so cute. I think what the Universe tells me the most is to just hush up and do it!!
Meditation is where I tend to carry on my spiritual conversation and find my balance. Sometimes that’s in actual sitting meditation, but often my meditation does take the form of walking, gardening, or writing. The spiritual side of me needs daily tending or my whole life gets seriously out of whack.
Isn’t that the truth? When I find I am in a wonky mood and examine it I often find it is because I haven’t taken my time to get quiet and connect. It’s such a valuable resource!
I find writing meditative too…when i get out of my own way, that is. *lol*
I must say, I am not much of a spiritual person. It is a side that I never gave much thought to…although it is something I should certainly consider at some point! I can certainly see the benefits of that pattern of thought
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- Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I think we all find it in our own way and in our own time when the desire is there.
Yet again, CC, you wrote a very timely post for me. This weekend found me (quite by accident) at a spiritual retreat center with some friends, where I was bowled over by my proximity to something tangibly holy again. I cried.
Like you, in my younger years, praying was all about asking for things and REALLY hoping I’d get them. There was no conversation happening at all. But that began to change as I got older, and I like to think that now my life is a running dialogue between me and the Divine. I’ve also come to realize that when things get quiet, it’s usually because I’m the one holding out: the Divine is always there.
I am not so good at meditating, but I do hope to change that soon. Perhaps then things will really be flowing.
A beautiful post. I loved it! Thank you.
I’ve also come to realize that when things get quiet, it’s usually because I’m the one holding out: the Divine is always there.
I think I want to make the sentence into a wall sized poster so I never forget it. That is so very true that it gives me goosebumps!
Thanks for adding your thoughts here. You always make me think and smile.
WONDERFUL Post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The spiritual journey is an incredible one. I’m happy that it doesn’t hold grudges and remind me of how I once prayed.
It was liberating for me when I stopped praying for things with a sense of hope, begging, fear, wishing, longing. I don’t remember exactly when I shifted to praying in the form of gratitude – I’m glad the shift happened. – and yes the prayer to see things differently – that prayer has been a blessing. – our lives can really blossom when we have the ability to see differently. – we can also move through hurt, pain, anger much faster too.
I really appreciate how you communicate the difference between prayer and mediation. I’ve often had a hard time explaining that to others before – especially when they ask – why do you pray & mediate isn’t it the same thing. – you made it very simple and clear.
Thank you so much for the great feedback, Aileen!
I have wanted to write about prayer in the way I see it, which is a conversation, for quite a while and I am tickled pink to know I made some sense of it. *lol*
Liberating…ahhh…love that word!!
Great things to think about! Thank you also for the kind words on my blog -I REALLY appreciate it!
Enjoyed this post too, again linking from the 7 links post…I like what you have to say about prayer and meditation…I agree on the definitions. I have a spotty history with both, though I’m starting to experience what you describe – those little moments in life when the quiet inside is just there. There are a few places where I know I will get that feeling – so far, pretty few and far between. I hope to keep feeling more. Thanks for sharing your experience. -Linda
Thanks so much for reading, Linda. It’s those little moments you speak of that gives me hope, energy and faith in there being something more out there and in my ability to connect to it. Hope you visit there more and more.