In a world of turmoil, it is a daily challenge to live in the world but not be part of the messiness of it. Or maintaining a spiritual life within despite the chaos around us.
I am fortunate! Although I live in an area where I can’t always connect with like-minded spiritual people, I have a rich online spiritual community. Whenever I feel pulled into the abyss of confusion and fear, numerous people who can help me center are only a phone call away. Just knowing this centers me back to who I am spiritually.
Additionally, I subscribe to several online and offline newsletters and magazines that keep me on track.
Reading the news and seeing the dark acts going on can drive me to tears. But then I read something that puts it all back into perspective. This last week, one of the articles that was helpful to me was a Science of Mind article by Rev. Dr. Soni Cantrell-Smith.
Here is an excerpt from her article: Choosing Presence and Connection is Profound Resistance
How do we cultivate and deepen our spirituality when political headlines and polarized debates scream for our attention, fragmenting our focus and eroding our inner peace?
I believe the path to deepening our spirituality is not to turn away from reality but to anchor within it, even as distractions try to pull us away … brief pauses can restore clarity and help us find our center. Centering helps us respond with clarity and compassion.
Rev. Soni offers some suggestions:
- Take sacred pauses during the day: Express gratitude or spend time in nature.
- Pay attention to your body: Notice it when something physically triggers you, and let it soften instead.
- Using mindful words after listening: Listen deeply, pause, and speak from the heart.
- Political engagement: Ground and center, and be open before engaging with anyone (face-to-face or while reading the news).
And, of course, prayer and meditation are also helpful. I love affirmative prayer and how it can change my whole outlook! After all, no matter what goes on in the world, the only thing I can control is myself and my attitude about it.
Sometimes, just taking a walk along the nearby levee and watching the squirrels playing in the trees brings me back to the simplicity of life. This is the time that I can see and express gratitude for the life around me.
Please, if you are challenged with maintaining a spiritual life, try the steps above. I am certain they will help you find peace!