The Best Spiritual Practice

Once again this week, I found myself answering the question, "What is the best kind of spiritual practice? How do fit it all in? What's really important?" I get it. Every time you take a class or read a book, there's some new process or approach being touted as the end-all-be-all. Don't get me wrong, they are all great. I teach those classes, too. But here's the bottom line:

The best spiritual practice for you is the one you will actually do.

At the end of the day, you really do have to create a spiritual practice that is customized for yourself, or you won't make the time to do it. You have to take into account the practices that you enjoy and what you find especially helpful, as well as which practices you have a tendency to blow off. Over time, your practice will shift as your consciousness changes, and that's a good thing. Trust yourself -- no one knows what you need like you do. You are the expert on you.

As you build your practice, I encourage you to make sure you include elements that help you Get Inspired, Listen and Express.

Get Inspired

Read sacred texts or uplifting books, listen to spiritual podcasts, watch video of Sunday messages or Ted Talks. Fill yourself up with wisdom so that you have a well to draw from when needed.

Listen

Connecting to the Divine through nay form of meditation is a key part of any successful spiritual practice. Whether you choose silent meditation, walk a labyrinth, follow a guided meditation recording, chant or try TM, the listening practices open us up to unitive consciousness.

Express

If meditation is how we listen to God, expressing is how we communicate with the Universe. Affirmative prayer, journaling, contemplative reflection, speaking affirmations, forgiveness processes, posture prayers -- these are the way we choose what we are manifesting and how we are showing up in life.

So, your practice might look like reading the daily guide from the Science of Mind magazine, 20 minutes of silent meditation and an affirmative prayer. Or it might include watching Super Soul Sunday, chanting for 15 minutes and journaling. Or it might be reading the Bible, taking a mindfulness walk and speaking affirmations. Choose the form that works for you, and you will actually do your daily practice. And that, my friend, is the best spiritual practice.