Suggestions for Spirituality

It's difficult these days to find the time to work, spend time with family, exercise and stay healthy, and have fun, and also live a spiritual life. Weekly attendance at church is fine, but without some connection with faith and spirituality, sitting in church may become an empty ritual. But it doesn't have to.

Here are four different ways that you and your family can re-connect, share and strengthen faith. These suggestions are intended to be non-denominational, and can be used by anyone regardless of their faith, or lack thereof.

Meditate

The idea of meditation summons a vision of monks in saffron robes chanting "Om," but meditation is truly accessible to anyone at any time. No special equipment needed; you don't need special robes, or pillows, or bells and whistles. All you need to do is sit in a quiet place for a little while. Some Christians use this time for prayer, others may wish to clear their minds and chant; still others may take this opportunity to achieve the Zen Buddhist goal of mindfulness. If your goal is to reconnect, you may simply want to sit and listen to the world around you; the universe may have a message for you.

• In the beginning, plan to meditate for only about 10 minutes, gradually increasing in time as you see fit. You may also want to experiment with timing. Do you want to meditate first thing in the morning or before you go to bed? Try a variety of times to see what works for you. Ideally, meditating twice-once in the morning and again in the evening-is a good goal to work toward.

• There are quite a few different ways to go about meditation. You can find literally hundreds of books, CDs, DVDs, and websites on the subject. None of these items are actually necessary. Find a quiet place and sit, either on a pillow on the floor, or in a comfortable-- but not too comfortable--chair; wherever you feel most at ease. There's no need to twist your legs into pretzel shapes to achieve enlightenment; sitting with good posture, no slouching, in a chair is absolutely fine.

• For beginners, there are a number of methods to try. You may find that simply concentrating on each inhalation and exhalation for ten minutes is a simple but perfectly mindful experience-many beginning Zen Buddhists are advised to concentrate on 108 individual breaths--or you may want to try a loving-kindness exercise. For this meditation technique, simply allow yourself to think only positive thoughts about yourself; for example, you may say to yourself, "I can be loved. I can be happy. I can be healthy." Move from thoughts about yourself to your loved ones, and wish them the same, and then move outward to your acquaintances, and distant friends. The last portion of your meditation should concentrate on anyone who opposes you or is negative towards you. That's right; wish your enemies love, health and happiness. This is a great way to learn how to accept love for yourself, think of your loved ones, and forgive those who have hurt you.

• One word about concentration. Meditation, as simple as it sounds, is a challenge. It is hard to keep focused. Buddhists sometimes refer to this state as "monkey-mind;" our minds simply love to misbehave. The best way to combat this is to not give into it. If your mind wanders, gently return your focus to your meditation without berating yourself or getting frustrated. Simply acknowledge what's happened, "Oh, my mind wandered again," and then re-focus on your meditation. After a while, these episodes of 'monkey-mind' will decrease.

Read

That's right-open up the sacred texts of your spiritual path and get reacquainted. Another good idea is to read the central texts of faiths that differ from yours. All religions contain wisdom that can enlighten and inspire. Here are some suggestions:

• For Christians, The Bible is the predominant text of faith. Many different texts exist, including interpretations from different sects within Christianity.

• To learn more about Hinduism, try a translated version of the Bhagavad Gita.

• The primary text of Islam-The Holy Qu'ran-is the record of revelations given to the Prophet Muhammed. The Hadith, a collection of the traditions and laws of Islam, may also be of interest.

• The sacred book of Taoism--Tao te Ching, by Lao Tzu (sometimes spelled Tze)-gives a description of the Tao, or the Way.

• For those interested in Buddhism, the Buddhist Suttas is the definitive work to read for those curious about the Five Noble Truths.

Connect

Finding like minded-individuals and fellow truth seekers is a good way to socialize and share ideas about faith, life, and well...just about anything!

• Check your local newspaper for church and community related meetings. Grocery stores also often have bulletin boards advertising for local groups.

• Church newsletters usually contain many opportunities for fellowship and discussion.

• Volunteer-either through your religious organization, or through your local charitable organizations. Altruistic action is a central tenet to all faith.

• If you are having difficulty connecting in your home community, try the 'Net. Literally thousands of discussion groups and message boards exist for just about any religion possible. Join in and have fun!

Escape

Get off the couch and into the woods! That's right, it's time to embrace a tree or two. Grab your hiking gear, or better yet, pack your tent and get going! In either case, hanging out in a natural environment is a very good way to reconnect to the earth and to the divine. Spend an afternoon on a hike, just to appreciate the world around you; whether you believe in creation or evolution doesn't matter, nature's splendor is a joy to behold. Just don't forget the mosquito repellent.

• If you plan to go hiking, pick up a good pair of hiking boots. Twisted ankles are not amusing when you're three miles into a forest trail; skip the tennis shoes and buy yourself a good pair of waterproof leather or suede boots.

• When planning your trip, research the area well. Find out about camping fees, parking, trails, and rules before you set out.

• If you are new to hiking, be sure to pack your cell phone and a first aid kid (just in case), plenty of drinking water, maybe even a snack (apples or carrot sticks are easily portable), and a small amount of toilet paper is a good idea too-just in case. Also, remember to bring a small trash bag with you, both for any garbage you may generate, and any you may find along the path. Remember that the most important rule of hiking is to leave no trace.

• Bring along a journal or tape recorder and record some of your sensations and observations while hiking in the woods. You may also want to try meditation, if you can find a comfortable place to sit, the forest is a great place to clear your mind and focus on the natural beauty of the earth.