How to Add Spiritual Practices to Your Life
Spirituality is an important component to life, but it is different for every individual. It doesn’t even have to involve organized religion. Nurturing your own spirituality can help you find meaning and a connection to the universe.
According to Verywell Mind, no matter which spiritual practice speaks to you, meditation, yoga, prayer, or even taking a walk in the forest, spiritual self-care is essential to your overall wellbeing.
Spirituality is Separate From Religion
Some people say they aren’t religious, and that is true for many people whose religion is no longer relevant to them or who grew up without a religion. But there are clear differences between religion and spirituality.
In a Life Kit podcast from NPR, reporter Ruth Tam spoke about these differences. She said, “While religion usually involves belief in or worship of a higher power or powers, spirituality is often thought of as more broad – a personal connection to something greater. You could be both spiritual and religious. Your connection could be to God, whatever form that takes. You could be religious, but not spiritual. You could believe in and follow the rules of religion but not necessarily feel a personal connection to something greater. You could be spiritual but not religious.”
In fact, 22 percent of Americans identify as spiritual but having no beliefs in religion. But being spiritual doesn’t mean that you must exclude religion if your spiritual needs are met by praying, singing, being a part of a community, and feeling a connection to something greater than yourself, stressed Anna Yusim, a psychiatrist, and a clinical assistant professor at Yale.
No matter which path – or paths – you take, you need to find out what spiritual practices speak to you and your own personal journey.
Finding Your Own Path
People approach spirituality according to their own needs, a guide on Psyche explained. Some people are searching for peace of mind during uncertain times and some for balancing their work and home lives. Others may be asking themselves questions like: “Why am I here.”
These people have a desire for spiritual practice without identifying with a religion. Identifying as spiritual but not religious can be the way to characterize a spiritual life that offers you comfort and guidance. But how do you decide which practices work for you?
Start by doing some self-refection. You can even do some deep breathing exercises to get you in the present moment so that you look inward and hear your inner voice. It is best to give yourself a time limit. Then you can journal your reflections.
You can also make a list to chart your future actions. Ask questions like: What does spirituality mean to me personally? What do I find meaningful? Or When am I most at peace.
Remember, the aim is not to find one path to spirituality, It is to develop a holistic approach that can include many ways of connecting to meaning and the universe. One that is uniquely yours.
