Spiritual Tools for Hungry Souls

As Spiritual Practitioners, we were taught to cultivate discernment while dealing with clients.  In other words, don’t judge other people or their actions — especially those who come to you for help, support, and prayer.

According to Wiki:  “Discernment is the ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well. In the case of judgment, discernment can be psychological, moral, or aesthetic in nature. Discernment has also been defined in the contexts; scientific, normative and formal.”

Along with the definition above, spiritual discernment is the perception in the absence of judgment to obtain spiritual guidance and understanding.

Using spiritual discernment does not require a Practitioner license, but it is a critical tool when dealing with personal issues.

Using discernment frequently occurs during certain circumstances in my own life.  Deciding what article to write for this blog, I use my spiritual discernment to determine what information I think will appeal to my readers.  Sometimes, I am so ‘in love’ with a particular concept or point that I can’t wait to share.  Naturally, my enthusiasm is reflected in my writing.

How do you develop and cultivate discernment?

July/August Unity Magazine author Bridgitte Jackson-Buckley offers the following suggestions:

1. Know yourself — the ongoing process of becoming consciously aware of the thoughts and feelings behind your actions.  Notice what feeling or actions the thought brings out in you: Joy, peace and love or hate and anger.
2. Get centered — and allow the emotion to flow through you without judgment. Slowing down your breathing by taking deep breaths calms you to let clarity be present within you.
3. Use bodily awareness and intuition — when paying attention to what is happening in your body.  Tap into your soul center in your body, where you feel your most significant connection to Spirit.

Bridgitte suggests:

When you allow your conscious awareness to be open through internal knowing, you feel personal power in your body. …

• Is this information empowering?  Is it a source of joy?
• Is is fear-based?
• Is the information integrating or disconnecting? Positive or negative?  Manifuplative or propaganda?
• Is it coming from a place of love and neutrality?

Learning and applying discernment is an ongoing process.  Like Bridgitte says, “Let truth guide you and be the ultimate goal that connects you with the Divine.”