Sunday, August 19, 2012

Pathways to Prayer


As a holistic yogi, I believe in the balance of mind, body and spirit. With my glowing rock (Himalayan salt   rock lamp), stain glass angel ornament, various stones and angel figurine on my desk at work, I do not shy from sharing my spirituality in the Type A male dominated industry my day job resides.

My spirituality far surpasses the symbols and is a part of my daily life.  I embrace the spiritual practices of many disciplines from meditation to sweat lodges and smudging to laying on of hands.  I believe God is too big to be defined or explained by any one discipline or dogma.  I pray with my voice, my body and my actions.  I pray... meaning I honor and connect with the Divine.

Perhaps the beauty in having many religions is that together they may begin to encompass the vastness of the Divine.  Having worked for a church for seven years and teaching spirituality my entire adult life, I am aware of the challenges others and I face in maintaining a regular spiritual practice.  So I am sharing my own pathways to prayer in hopes that it may inspire your spiritual path.  
  • Song as Meditation - Sometimes my words aren’t there, so I employ those of another.  Choosing a song that resonates with my current experience listening to the lyrics and focusing on my heart or inner voice.  My current Prayer Playlist includes:
    • Shelter Your Name by Danielle Rose
    • Love You More by Matthew West
    • Angel by Sarah McLachlan
    • I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz (more in my blog)
    • Beyond - Buddhist and Christian Prayers (the entire CD)
  • My Daily Prayer - I have found the book Grace, Guidance, and Gifts Sacred Blessings to Light Your Way to be truly perfect for everyday use.  Each piece can be selected at random on any day and includes a Message from Spirit, Morning Prayer or Affirmation, Mantra and Personal Blessing.  With 5-10 minutes I am truly tapped into my higher self and that of the Divine with this beautiful book.
  • Digital Inspiration - I created a Spirit Calendar that contains "events" with reminders to set my intention, pray or connect with my heart.  In the body of the event and email are the details so that I don't have to come up with it during my busy day.  I have most events set on a four day rotation so that I don't get bored.  The magic in the timing of appointments has everything to do with my personal schedule and energy levels during the day. If you have a Google calendar and would like to add this to yours and therefore copy events let me know.  I'd be happy to walk you through that... it's super easy.  
Let us find balance in mind, body and spirit.