How To Lead A Spiritual Life

The modern world is characterized by a fast-paced life where everybody is in a hurry. Your eagerness to run along with the world might compromise your physical and mental well-being, relationship with your loved ones, and identity.

In such a situation, positive spirituality can help you ground yourself in the present and identify what matters most in life. It will teach you how to surrender and trust your fate, even when you can’t see your future.

What Does It Mean to Lead a Spiritual Life?

The definition of spiritual life can vary depending on the person. For some, a spiritual life involves different spiritual and religious practices. Their life may be filled with mindful meditations and pilgrimages to sacred places.

While others, leading a spiritual life means extending their help to others, protecting the environment and animals, or simply doing the things that complete them.

According to Myers, leading a spiritual life leads you to better understand yourself and your purpose in this world.

Leading a spiritual life translates to looking inward and seeking to understand your inner life, which can help you become wiser when dealing with the external world. This life also helps you become less reactive and more authentic.

Moreover, Deepak Chopra explained that the highest aim of a spiritual path is to surrender. You have to surrender to lead a spiritual life.

Surrendering might be seen as a weakness, but in reality, it is the most powerful and spiritual of all actions. 

When you surrender, you let go of your fears and stop forcing situations. You let go of the thought that you’re a victim of the world; thus, you need to survive in the hostile reality.

How Do I Start My Spiritual Life?

You might think it’s already too late to turn a new leaf and pursue a life of spirituality. However, leading a spiritual life need not entail squeezing additional tasks into your already overburdened schedule. 

By integrating spirituality into everything you do to give meaning to your daily tasks, you can easily start a spiritual life.

There is no correct way to lead a spiritual life, but here are thirteen steps to give you a headstart.

1. Remind yourself.

Forgetting your goals can happen, especially when just starting your spiritual journey. That’s why it’s important to set your daily reminders or intentions.

You can use your phone to set timed reminders. Whether it’s a three-minute prayer, a brief meditation, or breathing exercises, setting reminders for them can help keep you on track.

You can also use sticky notes to set your intentions for the day or self-affirmations to cheer you up. Put them on your wall, computer, desk, or anywhere you can easily see them.

2. Dedicate time to physical activity.

Daily exercises do not just help burn calories; they are also helpful in mindful thinking and briefly detaching from the chaotic world. 

Physical activities improve your ability to deal with daily challenges and complexities. When you move, you can think and feel better. When you think and feel better, you make better decisions and develop a positive outlook in life. 

3. Be truthful in your career path.

Discovering your calling or passion is one of the signs of spiritual awakening. When the things you want in life are clear, you have a clear vision of your purpose. 

Identify your passion and work on it every day. It is your path toward spiritual happiness. Be truthful about where your passion lies, and you will gain the power of choice and identity.

4. Practice forgiveness.

It’s simple to say but difficult to practice. You might think forgiving is an act of weakness, but it takes a lot of courage to forgive someone. Forgiveness is a trait of a spiritually strong human.

To lead a spiritual life, you must let go of past events that don’t serve you anymore. Along with this is forgiving the people who hurt you, including yourself.

5. Eliminate envy.

Too much envy poisons the heart and the soul. It makes you perceive that the world owes you, but it doesn’t.

When envy lurks in your heart, acknowledge it. Do not feel bad for having this emotion, for this is normal. 

Accept the emotion and slowly think about the root cause of why you’re feeling envious. List the reasons and slowly counter them with things you are grateful for. 

Remember, feeling envious is alright if you use it to motivate yourself and not hurt others.

6. Practice mindfulness.

In today’s age of multitasking, most of us find it difficult to focus on one single task and be present at the moment. However, being mindful and focused on the task is integral to leading a spiritual life.

A spiritual practice can also be a mundane task done well and offered to God as a spiritual service. 

Whether washing dishes, cleaning your home, vacuuming, doing laundry, or cooking, practice mindfulness and avoid distractions such as phone calls or television. 

7. Meditate in bed.

Before you sleep, you can always take two to five minutes each night for meditation or a small prayer. Close your eyes, pray, meditate, or breathe deeply to ease your body of your daily burdens. Even if you fall asleep in the process, it is fine.

This helps you set the tone and calm your mind before you dive deep into your busy routine the next day. 

And as soon as you wake up, take a deep breath, visualize your goals, and set good intentions for the day. Pray and ask for help to fill you with positive energy.

8. Meditate while waiting.

Waiting is inevitable, be it at the doctor’s office, takeaway, public transport, or grocery store. 

Instead of staring at your phone, use this time to pray or meditate. Start with a few deep breaths and observe your surroundings.

You can also use guided meditation apps to channel your thoughts inwards. The other way to utilize this time is to extend compassion to those around you and pray for their well-being.

9. Read as much as you can.

One of the most important aspects of leading a spiritual life is acquiring the right knowledge. Reading is the best way to acquire knowledge and expand your spiritual horizon. 

Although reading cannot replace spiritual practice, it can help you understand how to practice spirituality.

10. Make the most out of your commute.

Do you have to drive to work, use public transport, or drop your kids off at school daily? Make the most of this time to pray, listen to spiritual talks, meditate, or have some quiet time with God.

11. Take a moment to relax before you reach home.

Most people who have hectic schedules are always hurrying to get home. Whatever tasks await you at home— dinner, kids, chores, shopping, or work— can wait five more seconds or minutes. 

Before walking into your home:

  • Take a moment to slow down, relax, and pause. 
  • Sit in your car and meditate, reflect, or breathe for a few seconds. 
  • Seek places where you can sit or walk for a few minutes.

If you live near a forest, park, ocean, river, or pond, gazing at nature for a few minutes can also help refresh and rejuvenate your mind and body.

12. Identify blessings.

Busy people can often be oblivious to all the good things in their lives. Identifying your daily blessings is a spiritual exercise that can detox your mind and body. 

Every day, identify a blessing from different sources (a family member, your work, a neighbor, a friend, a boss, a stranger, an enemy, or an employee). You will find that this exercise helps fill your life with gratitude and positivity.

13. Pick up from where you left off.

Perseverance and practice are integral elements of spiritual life. Even if you fail repeatedly, it is important not to give up or let guilt overwhelm you. 

Nobody has set limits on the number of attempts you can make, nor is there any deadline for starting a spiritual life. 

See every morning as an opportunity to restart your spiritual journey and pick up from where you left.

The Benefits of Positive Spirituality in Your Life

Positive spirituality can holistically lead your life in new directions. It will help you have clear visions about yourself, your life, and your purpose. Here are the benefits of leading a spiritual life.

1. Positive spirituality reduces stress levels.

Embracing positive spirituality works wonders in relieving your body from stress. Breathing in and out can be the best medicine for letting go of your daily burdens.

Contemplative spiritual practices such as meditation help calm your mind and clear your head from disturbing emotions and thoughts. 

This spiritual practice increases the brain’s gray matter, which in turn helps in relieving stress and reducing pain sensitivity. 

2. Positive spirituality helps you discover yourself.

Spirituality helps you connect with yourself and the ultimate truth. Positive spirituality helps you clear your mind. 

A clear mind gives you new perspectives toward yourself and your life that are not molded by external factors. 

This way, you realize your individuality and your life’s unique purpose. And you become the master of your fate. 

3. Positive spirituality improves your relationships.

People who engage in spirituality have better relationships with their spouses, children, and relatives. 

Spiritual people are known to be more forgiving and empathetic towards others, whether it be people, animals, or the environment. 

It helps you lose your ego and think from the other person’s perspective. Hence, positive spirituality makes you more receptive, acceptable, adaptable, and forgiving- the keys to all healthy relationships!

4. Positive spirituality makes you happier.

Positive spirituality helps you cope with stress and reduce anxiety and the risk of depression.

Your mind will no longer get distracted by negative thoughts as it allows you to let go of them.

Positive spirituality will also make you more socially responsible and giving. It also helps in reducing the negative qualities of greed, anger, jealousy, and fear. 

5. Positive spirituality makes you live longer.

Generally, spiritual people tend to make healthier choices. They are less likely to indulge in excessive drinking, smoking, and violent activities, which benefit the mind and the body.

They create a peaceful atmosphere, giving birth to positivity. All of these ultimately help boost their immune system. 

 6. Positive spirituality creates a sense of belonging.

Spiritual people generally associate themselves with religious or social groups and engage in community services such as volunteering and charity. 

Engaging in such groups and activities helps you meet like-minded people and creates a sense of belonging. 

Moreover, volunteering and charity give a greater purpose to your life, leading to a high level of inner satisfaction. Thus, positive spirituality removes the risk of isolation and depression. It further helps you to self-actualize.

7. Positive spirituality helps you sleep better.

Positive spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, prayer, and journaling help calm the mind and the disturbance within you. 

Journaling can help you express yourself without barriers and, thus, relieve the emotional baggage you carry before you go to bed. 

Overall, positive spirituality helps you process the events of your life positively and ensures you get a peaceful sleep at night.

8. Positive spirituality makes you gracious.

When you accept spirituality, you start noticing small things like how a stranger smiled at you or how bright the smile was on a child’s face when you gave them ice cream.

All these small moments have become a big part of your life. You relish all life experiences, no matter how insignificant they might seem. 

You celebrate life and feel thankful for every blessing. Paying heartfelt gratitude makes you realize how truly blessed you are.

How to Live a Spiritual Life with God

According to Carrie Umporowicz, there are five ways to strengthen your connection with God and live a life of spirituality.

1. Surrender yourself to God and pray.

With your busy life, it’s easy to lose sight of how blessed you are. You fail to appreciate your life as you keep your eyes forward, only seeing the mundane things you believe will bring you fulfillment.

That’s why when you feel overwhelmed by reality and the consequences of your actions, stop for a moment and call Him.

Tell God about your burdens, your fears, and your guilt. Ask Him to guide and bless your life and your journey.

2. Read your Bible.

There’s a bible verse and story to counter every misery, emotion, and life situation. Consider the Bible as your handbook. You can also learn from Jesus’ teachings about how to live a righteous and meaningful life.

3. Join a group of like-minded believers.

Fellowship is important. Aside from enriching your life as a Christian, it also gives you a sense of acceptance and belonging.

There’s an old saying that you become like the five people you choose to be with. Join people who have a strong relationship with God and can help your spiritual growth as a Christian.

4. Be compassionate.

Jesus once said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12 (New King James Version).

While he was on earth, Jesus spent his life serving and caring for others. Despite the bad consequences he suffered, he continued reaching out and fulfilling his mission.

The message here is to be compassionate to others. If you’re able, aspire to lend a hand to those in need and become a light of hope for others.

5. Determine your spiritual gifts.

We are given the gift of spirituality, wisdom, kindness, peace, and many others. It’s your mission to seek out your spiritual gifts, cultivate them, and use them in fulfilling your purpose and bringing change to others’ lives.

Final Thoughts

Leading a spiritual life is simple yet hard to maintain. That’s why it’s important to have strong convictions when you start walking the path to spirituality.

There will be setbacks during the process. You might doubt your intentions and lose track of your path. 

But it would be best to remember that there is no correct way to spirituality. There’s no set time and no specific circumstances. 

The success of your journey depends on your will, perseverance, and ability to learn from life’s lessons.

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