Are you eager to become more spiritual? For many years, I believed that it was important for me to “become more spiritual.” Attending workshops and reading the writings of spiritually-evolved people were important to my spiritual growth.
However, all my study and learning led me to realize that I did not need to become more spiritual. What I really was seeking was to deepen and widen my awareness of Spirit’s presence already in my everyday life. I was not any less spiritual before I began reading and attending workshops. Nor am I more spiritual now. Spirit is forever present in every molecule of my physical, mental, and emotional existence.
With that understanding, I offer three tips that have helped me increase my awareness of Spirit in my everyday life.
Notice and Wonder
For most of us, our everyday lives are filled with activities. We run from one thing to another, barely noticing the simpler things of life surrounding us. Have you ever taken the time to just wonder about the caterpillar crawling up your sidewalk?
Whether you choose to formally meditate or simply take a nature walk, the first key to increasing awareness is to notice your environment, your feelings, and what you are thinking. Step back from the rolling chain of events in your life and come fully into the present moment. Become aware of all it contains. In the present moment, Spirit reveals itself in the calm, peace, and joy experienced there.
Expand Self-Acceptance
Not one of us has escaped the ravages of self-doubt and many of us have wallowed in a form of self-hate that can be quite devastating. However, if Spirit is present in every molecule, then we are sacred beings. We were created by a loving Creator and, though we may fall short of our own expectations of ourselves, our worth was established at creation.
Of course, it is natural to continually strive toward perfection. Yet, in truth, there is no perfection to be found here on Earth. The striving toward perfection is a beautiful process that urges us to grow and improve.
We must cultivate self-acceptance and self-love in order to express the best of who we are. Without acceptance of our own gifts, we might not freely offer them to the world and, make no mistake, the world is in need of your gifts!
Embrace Others with Compassion
With the knowledge that our self-worth was established at creation, it is easier to reach out to others. It is easier to express compassion when they don’t live up to our expectations. We can recognize Spirit is present in them as it is in us and know they are doing the best they can at their present level of awareness. So much of our interpersonal conflict can be eliminated through compassion.
Whoever you find difficult to deal with – a parent, a spouse, a boss, or a neighbor – needs love and acceptance as much as you do. If you can look past their actions, you might find an awkward call for connection.
As I see it, we who are seeking to be more spiritual in our daily lives need merely to open our awareness to the love of our Creator, which helps expand our self-love, and then generates our greater capacity to embrace others with compassion.
You are already a Spirit-filled human being, worthy to be loved and to love, who is seeking to deepen and widen your awareness of what is already true. I wish you Godspeed on your journey!