ExploreTruth

I’m not an official on spiritual things, and can only truly speak from my experience. I’m at a phase in my life, where at least ideally, I value reflection, deeper contemplation of life, its meaning, and my search for a deeper understanding of God.  However, in actual practice, these things can often get lost in the shuffle and competing forces of work, and the variety of life’s details.

I think most people experience epiphanies in life, but if you’re anything like me, the ah ha moments that bring sudden moments of clarity, seem short lived, and attempts at recalling these moments can prove unsuccessful.  As of late, I’ve been a little more intentional in identifying what things seem to feed me spiritually, and get me back on track.  Thus sustaining a more consistent connection with the Creator.

7 practices that have helped me in this area

1. Decide

Well, first things first, you gotta decide. If a blind race to success is your cup of tea, you just may be missing out on some of the more subtle truths that are available for your discovery.  I had to consciously come to a point in my life, where avoiding a more decisive stance on my spiritual outlook on life, wasn’t an option.  Call it growing up, or a wake up call, whatever it is, you have to decide for yourself if ignorance is bliss or if playing a more active role in contemplating your existence on this earth is of any value to you.

2.  Writing

I don’t know if I need to drink more water, or if my extra curricular activities in college took a greater toll on my mind than I’d like to admit, but my memory isn’t as reliable as I’d like to think. Writing has emerged as a uniquely powerful tool, especial when it comes to remembering those precious moments when all the dots seem to connect, and I’ve gained a peculiarly clear perspective on life.  I used to hear about people journal writing as a way to think more clearly and to catalog ones reflections.  But I always felt it was a little girlie.  Now I believe it to be one of the most powerful ways of living your life, and practicing your spirituality.  For many people, writing is a way to fully discover what you think, and what exactly you believe.  It’s so easy to have a vague idea of where you stand on important issues.  Writing forces you to think, reflect, and wrestle with the larger issues in life!

3.  Nature

Concrete sidewalks, and achromatic cubicle walls just don’t always foster  soul growth.  Or at least thats been my experience.  Most people that I’ve ever know have always dreamed about escaping these environments for those of a more organic nature.  Whether its standing at the lip of ocean, listening to the sound of the crashing waves, the banks of a river carving its way towards the sea, or hiking up the side of some “Sound of Music” type mountain, there’s something about the nature that slow us down and rejuvenates. There usually aren’t any billboards out there, no TV commercials vying for my attention and wallet.  Its just me, my thoughts, and the relaxing rhythms of the natural.  Anyone who can look at a sunset melting into the Pacific ocean, and not feel better, is well…doubling up on that Prozac.  We would die without water.  It refreshes, cleanses, and calms.  I’ve been in the state of Florida for almost 12 years, and have not fully taken advantage of always living within an hour from the beach.  When I do visit, it always rejuvenates me.  The good book says, be still and know that I am God.  I think that sometimes the loudest communication comes in the subtlest forms, and sometimes in whispers.  Take a trip out in nature, and see what the quiet moment brings you.

4.  Reading thought provoking books

I just read that 42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college. Simply put, do not be a part of this statistic.  Although hard at times, I can attribute most of my spiritual growth, and understanding about life, to reading certain books that have left me a different person.  One of those books for me, have been the Bible.  Stripped of any doctrinal assertion or interpretation, this book presents to you a variety of narratives where mankind wrestles with the plight of humankind on planet earth, and the Creators interaction with them.  You decide what these narratives means to you.  Books that challenge your thinking, or inspire you to pause, and think about your life in meaningful ways, are great at creating a depth of spirit that the genuine seeker can appreciate.  And after watching the recent G.I. Joe movie, I am again fully convinced that I don’t miss much by rarely visiting the movies(I think I tasted vomit while watching that…sorry GI Joe fans…I’m just saying).

5.  Write your own obituary

I know, this may weird some folks out, or you may second guess my sanity here, but there’s a refocusing that seems to occur when one confronts his or her own mortality.  Sometimes the things we hold most dear don’t match up to the way we are living our life.  We think that we have longer to live than we really do.  This state of denial, and in-congruency, sometimes needs a little jolt of reality.  Looking our own mortality squarely in the face can sometimes be just the medicine we need.  Take 30 minutes to review some obituaries online, and then pen a mock version for yourself.  You’d be surprised at the effect it has on you.

6.  Music Music Music…

Some call it a universal language, and for some reason, human beings as far back as history reveals, have created and listened to music. Now I think music is one of the most powerful mediums of communication.  I visited a church recently, and all I can really remember was the song that was song before the sermon.  In 5 minutes I was not only spoken to intellectually, but somehow an invisible hand reached into my chest and resurrected a pretty cold and distracted heart.  I felt something, and left with an ounce more of compassion flowing through my veins. Feed yourself by finding new music that touches you deeply.

7.  Play Devils advocate with your traditional held views on life.

Each of us grew up receiving from our parents, teachers, and society some sort of a script. This script contained instructions on how best to live.  These individuals were not perfect, and were most likely doing the best they could to raise and produce a mature, thinking adult and citizen.  We intern are, or will attempt to do the same.  However, at some point in our lives, we have to stand on our two feet, as our children will have to inevitably do.  Any good idea or truth is worth careful scrutiny for it to be worth its salt.  So I often ask myself, who’s beliefs are these that I have?  Have I really challenged and wrestled with them for myself.  Have they been tested?  Something to think about…

Bonus section(You can thank me later)

8.  Skip church one week, and volunteer at a non profit that is actively helping someone who needs it

I’m not preaching here. Why would I be right, considering I just called for what some may see as an act of blasphemy.  If you find yourself tipping the scales of justice, mercy, and love in a tangible way when you visit church, then ignore my statement.  But if not, its worth noting that the act of extending your hand in service to someone reaching upwards for it, has a way of giving you perspective.  I would even argue that a life in the practical service of love may be the truest form of praise and worship.

9.  Living the Simple life

I agree with Henry David Thoreau, when he said “Our life is frittered away by detail … simplify, simplify.”
Recently I had the honor of venturing into someones garage(there identity will remain anonymous).  But none the less, the garage looked like there could quite possibly be large animals living in there.  The car was in the driveway, and the garage had been turned into a giant closet of sorts. You know, the one you never have time to clean…times 100.  In his book Getting Things Done, world renown productivity guru David Allen talks about closing the “open loops” in our lives .  He states that everything that we intend to do in our life, essentially remains in our short term mental hard-drive space.  Simplifying ones life leaves room for those more essential things that we’ve been avoiding.  How do you feel after clearing your email box, cleaning your house, having a garage sale, or de-cluttering your life in general?

What ways do you jump start your spiritual life?