Part I of a series
Meditation has proved to be the single-most valuable tool through which I have birth to my Soul and a tool I recommend to clients and students. The purpose of this series is to offer helpful support for those who may be new to meditation as a spiritual practice and to provide additional resources for experienced meditators.
Starting and maintaining a spiritual practice is dependent on finding a style and format that works for you and practicing it. Here I offer guidance on a wide variety of spiritual practices with the hopes that you will find one or two that work for you.
It is said that it takes twenty-one days to start a new habit. I promise that if you practice meditation daily for twenty-one days that something will happen in those twenty-one days that convinces you to NEVER miss your meditation practice. You will find it to be as necessary as food, water and shelter and you will choose to do it because you find it so life-giving.
Defining Spiritual Practice
A spiritual practice is ultimately anything that helps you to connect with your higher self, God/dess, highest truth; and that which leads us to an experience of peace, contentment, focused attention, fulfillment, completion and love. You are probably already engaging in some sort of activity in your daily life that brings you to these kinds of experiences—cooking, gardening, exercising, painting, drawing, house cleaning, parenting, making love, etc. etc. etc. When you realize what it is you are already doing that brings you to these experiences and then bring the intention of it as being your spiritual practice, you deepen the experience.
The content that will follow is intended to introduce a variety of traditional spiritual practices so that in addition to what you are already doing, you might carve out 15-30 minutes a day specifically devoted to your spiritual practice. Diligent attention to our spiritual practice provides a myriad of benefits including decreased stress, increased peace and relaxation, increased productivity and creativity. It just makes us happier and scientific research is beginning to prove that a regular mindfulness practice helps to support our physical health and wellbeing.
Dispelling Myths
The following myths have been propagated in regards to meditation as a spiritual practice. None of these myths (from my perspective as an experienced meditator and Spiritual Director) are true.
• Meditation has a goal.
• The goal of meditation is silencing of the mind.
• There is a right and a wrong way to”do” meditation.
• If you reach the state of peace, you did it right….if not, you did it wrong.
• An empty mind is the devil’s playground.
• Meditating makes you a “better” person.
• Only enlightened/holy people meditate.
• Meditation is the path to enlightenment.
• Sitting in silence is the only valid form of meditation….or it is the preferred method.
• Meditation is an Eastern practice and cannot be practiced by Christians.
• Eastern meditation practices are dangerous.
• Lay people cannot meditate.
Secrets to Your Success
The goal of spiritual practice is “NO GOAL.” Your job is to simply show up. Striving after
a goal (other than showing up) will prove to be an obstacle to your practice.
There is no right or wrong way to meditate.
If you find that state of inner calm and peace…..it is PURE GRACE…..not something you
received because you finally meditated the right way or enough times.
There is a rich tradition of meditation and contemplation in the Hebrew and Christian
traditions.
It is in the emptiness that we find God/Goddess/Love/Truth. We are also invited to
find God/dess in the midst of the chaos.
Meditation can be receptive (listening, sitting, being) or active (expressing, moving,
giving, processing).
Meditation encompasses many formats and practices including but not limited
to: meditative reading of sacred texts, journaling, sitting in silence, movement (yoga,
tai chi, dance, etc.), chant, listening to music, daydreaming, paying attention to our
dreams, mindfulness practices, acts of service, making love, being present to our family and friends, being out in nature, creative expression, painting, drawing, cooking, cleaning, etc. etc. etc.
A spiritual practice is anything that helps us connect with God/dess, peace, love, joy,
flow, compassion, harmony, forgiveness, mercy, ecstasy.
In the Western tradition, Meditation refers to the reflective thoughts in the mind. In the
Eastern Tradition, meditation is understood to mean sitting in silence. Contemplation is the term used in the Western tradition to refer to sitting or being in silence with God/dess
The only danger in meditation or contemplation is connecting with your truth.
Warning: Truth can be a dangerous thing if we are not prepared or if we do not have the
support for accepting and processing it. As Gloria Steinem said, “The truth will set you
free, but first it will kick your butt.”
Meditation may lead you to enlightenment, if that is your path in this life;, it will help
you to be a happier, more peaceful and more loving human being.
From the Hebrew and Christian perspectives, meditation and contemplation will
empower you to experience the Kingdom of God/dess right here, right now, in this
life. You will discover that you don’t have to die to know the peace and love of God/dess.
Meditation can be practiced by ANYONE……regardless of your race, color, creed,
education, status, position of power, ordained or not, etc. etc. etc.
Stay tuned for the next topic in this series: Starting a Spiritual Practice! Copyright Lauri Ann Lumby
Lauri Ann Lumby 