What is spirituality? How to be spiritual?
I got these questions from someone who heard about my workshops and decided to write about my experience regarding them. Let me share some thoughts on spirituality and ways to explore it.
Life, all of it, is a Spiritual Process.
Spirituality is a deeply personal journey of connecting with something larger than yourself — whether that’s a higher power, God or the Divine, Nature, the Universe, Source or your own inner Consciousness. Unlike organised religion, with rules and rituals, spirituality is often more freeing, fluid and individualised.
Here are some practical ways that I have found very useful to develop my spiritual practice and the journey continues:
1. Practices in Silence, Mindfulness and Meditation
- Start with just 5–10 minutes of quiet reflection daily. The key is daily, more times a day. I remember the monkey mind interfering in my early days!
- Focus on your breath and present moment awareness. In the beginning, I suggest using alarms to create ‘awareness breaks’ during the day. We are creatures of habit and distraction, so reminders help.
- Observe your thoughts without judgment, let them float like clouds in the sky… it gets easier as you go along.
2. Connect with Nature; this is essential — we weren’t made to stay indoors! For me, photography has been a means of observation.
- Take mindful walks outdoors, be slow and observe the tiniest of things around you and marvel at the wonder of what we are surrounded with
- Spend time observing natural phenomena, it has all been designed to support us
- Feel the elements (wind, sun, earth) directly, sharpen your senses
3. Self-reflection and introspection
- Journaling is an excellent practice — write about your thoughts and experiences
- Ask yourself and others deeper questions about meaning and purpose
- Examine your values and priorities, what matters most to you, what tugs at your heartstrings
4. Practice Gratitude and appreciation. This is a game-changer! I cannot stress the Power of Gratitude enough
- Regularly acknowledge what you are thankful for, write it down in a Gratitude Journal
- Notice small everyday blessings, each moment carries blessings
- Express appreciation to others for all things great and small; thank the Creator
5. Cultivate Compassion and Kindness
- Show kindness to yourself and others; cut out the critic
- Listen deeply to people’s stories; speak less and listen more
- Volunteer or help others in need; contribute generously where you can and watch miracles unfold in your life
6. Explore Sacred Texts and Wisdom Traditions
- Read spiritual or philosophical works from over the globe that resonate with you, listen to podcasts
- Study different traditions with an open mind; the human race is One!
-Learn from spiritual teachers while maintaining your own critical thinking skills and judgment; remember they are human with their own experiences and perceptions
7. Create your own path through exploration, experience and authentic living
- Your life is unique, and you get to decide what is of importance to you, what to use, what to discard, how to craft your own inner and outer experience!
What aspects of spirituality interest you most? I’m curious to hear what draws you to explore this path.
As a mindfulness practitioner and life-design coach, I help clients focus on well-being and personal growth and make life choices that prioritize their mental and emotional health. This leads to personal freedom and independence allowing the person to blossom and manifest the life they deserve. Connect with me if you are seeking to go forward on your journey.