How to Establish a Life-Long Spiritual Practice with 10 Simple Steps
Finding spiritual practices that ground us in our faith can be a challenge for many of us. We may have difficulty carving out the time, or we may make excuses for why we don’t need a daily practice. But staying connected to our spiritual selves is important, as it gives us a sense of connectedness to something greater. Here, we’ll take a look at how you can begin, continue and deepen your spiritual practice, no matter what spiritual path you follow.
1. Find the Right Practice for You
The key to developing a lifelong spiritual practice is to find something that works for you. You don’t have to be religious, necessarily, but there are many spiritual paths you can take, such as:
Meditation
Prayer
Reiki
Yoga
Tai Chi
Journaling
Practicing Gratitude
The power of your practice lies in connecting to whatever works for you. Take some time to explore different spiritual paths and find the ones that resonate with you. Then, make a commitment to focus on those spiritual practices in your daily life.
2. Create Sacred Space
Once you’ve determined the spiritual practices that work for you, take the time to create a sacred space dedicated to them. This could involve buying a special altar or engaging in specific activities like burning incense or lighting candles. This sacred space is like a “home” where you can tap into your spirituality, so it’s important to create a space that looks and feels special to you.
3. Honor the Time
When you dedicate yourself to spiritual practice, it’s important to honor the time you’re spending. This means setting aside the necessary amount of time for yourself and committing to the practice. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, carving out this intentional space for yourself is necessary for building a life-long spiritual practice.
4. Follow a Structure
Having a structure for your practice can help you create a consistent routine. This structure can involve meditation, prayer, spiritual readings, etc. Whatever the practice is, having key components that you participate in each day can help you stay connected to your practice and make it part of your lifestyle.
5. Make a Conscious Effort to Connect
Having a spiritual practice is ultimately about connecting to yourself, to the divine, and to your spiritual path. As you do your practice, be mindful of the energy and intention you’re putting forth. Whether it’s during prayer, meditation, or any other practice, be conscious of the effort you’re making to form that connection. It can make all the difference.
6. Release Expectations
As you build a spiritual practice, it can be easy to get caught up in wanting certain results. But releasing expectations of what you want to gain from your practice can be more beneficial. Embrace the uncertainty and allow yourself to connect with whatever comes through in the moment.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
Life can be hectic, and your spiritual practice won’t always get the attention it deserves. When this happens, don’t be too hard on yourself. Allow yourself to just take the time you have and come back when you can. It’s important to stay consistent, but it’s also important to be kind to yourself.
8. Trust the Process
At times, our spiritual practice may feel like a flat experience or that there’s no growth. Don’t be discouraged. Trust the process and keep showing up. Just because it doesn’t always feel amazing, it doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial.
9. Create Accountability
Having someone in your corner can be essential in staying on track with your spiritual practice. This can be something as simple as having a friend to check in with you, or finding an accountability group for your practice. When the going gets tough, having this support can help you get back on track.
10. Accept Imperfection
Your spiritual practice won’t always be perfect. That’s part of the beauty of it. Accepting imperfection and allowing yourself to be open to whatever experiences come up can make your practice that much more powerful.
Cultivating a daily spiritual practice doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Using these 10 simple steps, you can begin, continue and deepen your spiritual practice, regardless of your spiritual path. As you advance and refine your practice, trust that you’ll begin to develop a deeper connection with yourself and the divine.
These 10 tips, coupled with a commitment to consistency and kindness, will help you create a life-long spiritual practice that will serve you well in your daily life.
Conclusion
No matter what spiritual path you’re on, finding a practice that resonates with you is key to deepening your connection with yourself, the divine and your spiritual practices. Taking the time to honor the time dedicated to your practice, developing a spiritual routine, and finding accountability can all help lead you to discover more depth in your spiritual practice. Of course, releasing expectations and being kind to yourself is key to bearing the fruits of your spiritual practice.
