Spiritual practice takes on a different shape and form for all of us.
But without practice, spirituality does not have much meaning. The potent practice of mindfulness can occur in any moment; it only requires plain attention. It asks us to drop plans, projections, ideas and simply witness, perceive, and breathe.
Spiritual practice is more than the sum of its yoga, meditation, prayer, chanting, bowing, confessing or kneeling. It is developing greater mindfulness in every activity — reading, writing, dog walking, knitting, painting and working — and yoga, meditation, prayer, etc. It is developing mindfulness in every moment.
Although a daily sitting meditation habit is essential, ultimately, “spiritual practice” involves becoming mindful and equanimous when sitting alone in silence as well as during activities like talking, cooking, and walking.
Ultimately, everything is done with total presence and spacious awareness.
Presence is the oil that keeps our engines running. Truly, moments of meditation can make a world of difference on a hectic day. Be gentle with yourself, but continue to cultivate a committed spiritual practice. In time, with practice and perseverance, your life with become one with yoga.
What’s that you say? You don’t have time? You’re too busy?
I beg to differ.
You have nothing but time, and you choose how to spend that time. Habits can be broken or created.
If spiritual practice (also known as “being present”) enriches our lives and is the essence and the meaning of life — why is it so often inconsistent?
Like the moon, spiritual practice moves through phases. We experience greater and lesser strength and stamina depending on the year, day or moment. Time spent on activities stamped “spiritual” will, of course, vary week to week, month to month and year to year. Deepening your spiritual practice means becoming mindful and compassionate toward yourself during solitary meditation and compassionate toward all beings in all your interactions with them.
