| The word spirituality can conjure up many images. | | | | negative, self-talk gremlins that have been living in |
| You might, for instance, think of a guru sitting | | | | our minds for years! Simply concentrate on the |
| cross-legged on a mountaintop looking for | | | | white silence and every time a nagging thought |
| enlightenment. This is one form of spiritual | | | | crosses your mind, gently brush it away and |
| practice that has its place, but for most of us | | | | carry on focusing on the silence. Taking deep |
| working, busy people, it is not really an option in | | | | breaths in and out in a rhythmic manner is |
| our hectic and stressful lives. | | | | another important element of centering and |
| It seems that in our culture of transient lifestyles | | | | finding the silence. By doing this, you will start to |
| and excessive materialism, we are running faster | | | | allow genuine contact with your inner guidance. |
| and faster to get ahead or to keep up with our | | | | Guided meditation CDs are available to help you |
| neighbor and yet feeling less and less connected | | | | visualize different scenes that are supportive of |
| to him or her, and to ourselves. | | | | the connection with inner guidance. For those |
| But what if you could find inner peace and | | | | persons new to meditation and silent reflection, I |
| centeredness on a daily basis to help you cope | | | | would recommend that they use these tools as |
| with the challenges and demands of living in the | | | | they provide a sort of life preserver to hold on |
| 21st century? In fact, you can achieve this | | | | to, that will help them to stay focused and |
| through the practice of "Everyday Spirituality". | | | | connected on the messages they receive and not |
| This is a conscious choice to create and keep a | | | | get bored or frustrated if nothing happens the |
| connection to your own inner wisdom while still | | | | first few times. |
| doing all the everyday tasks that are necessary | | | | 4. Ask a question or ask for guidance on some |
| to function in society. | | | | pressing issue. Once you feel comfortable that |
| The simple concept is that we can link our | | | | you can recreate the white canvas on a regular |
| practical lifestyle with our spiritual centerto create | | | | basis and with very few gremlins interfering, it is |
| greater balance and peace in our lives on a | | | | time to try out this new connection. We have all |
| consistent basis. This inner guidance is a powerful | | | | the answers to our worries and fears within us. If |
| force inside each of us. If allowed, it will clearly | | | | we allow time for silent reflection as suggested in |
| guide us in all decisions we make and challenges | | | | this article, we will be able to reach that place of |
| we face. We cannot chase it, however, or | | | | higher wisdom within ourselves, which will guide us |
| demand that it appear. We must allow the | | | | to our greatest good and help us deal with all the |
| connection to be made through the silence and | | | | challenges in our lives. All the messages we need |
| introspection found in meditation and quiet time. | | | | are inside of us, we must simply stop, make time |
| Here are five simple steps that you can do take | | | | and listen. |
| to bring Everyday Spirituality into your life: | | | | 5. Keep an inspirational journal nearby. A blank |
| 1. Make at least 15 minutes available for reflection | | | | journal (such as a notebook with an attractive |
| in your schedule every day. That is not a lot of | | | | cover) can be used to record images or |
| time when you consider how many waking hours | | | | messages you receive during these exercises. |
| you have in a day. Get up 15 minutes earlier each | | | | Often when the meditation is finished, you are still |
| day or turn off the television for just 15 minutes | | | | in a very relaxed state that is conducive to |
| in the evening. Early mornings, or some time after | | | | receiving more insightful messages. As you start |
| dinner are often best, but any time that can be | | | | to write one thought, another will often follow it, |
| set aside for this, preferably at about the same | | | | and another and another and soon you are writing |
| time every day, will work. | | | | a string of thoughts that can help you make |
| 2. Create a Sacred Space in your home. This | | | | sense of things you have asked. This is another |
| might be a small area in the corner of your | | | | way to make contact with your inner guidance, |
| bedroom or a separate room in the house that | | | | through a sort of inspirational writing. It does not |
| will become your refuge from the chaos of life. It | | | | happen all the time, but sometimes you may find |
| is your private place that you can fill with your | | | | that you write some very interesting things in |
| favorite things such as flowers, candles, incense, | | | | your journal that you can look back at later. |
| soft music and meaningful pictures. Make it a ritual | | | | Meditative practices like this can allow you to gain |
| to return to this place regularly. Soon you will | | | | clarify on many personal and professional issues |
| start to crave it because it will offer solace and | | | | and can help to reduce blood pressure, stress |
| serenity in this sometimes difficult world. If you | | | | levels and other health related ailments. You will |
| spend time regularly in your sacred space, your | | | | gain a new insight into yourself and therefore, be |
| positive energy will also build up there and you will | | | | more productive and successful at work. |
| notice that you feel happy and peaceful when you | | | | These five action steps will allow you to |
| are there. | | | | reconnect with the inner self that is deep inside |
| 3. Get comfortable, close your eyes and search | | | | you - the real you - who you are at the core of |
| for the silence. That's right. Search for the silence | | | | your being. Perhaps you have not been in touch |
| in your mind's eye and try to empty your brain | | | | with that real you for a long time. By creating this |
| of all the thoughts that clutter it, and never give | | | | type of Everyday Spirituality ritual, you will be able |
| you any peace. Create in your mind a blank, white | | | | to face the world with a new outlook of serenity, |
| canvas like new fallen snow that no one has | | | | inner calm and balance, no matter what the |
| walked on yet. This is not easy to do. Many of us | | | | circumstances. |
| have little voices in our heads that fill us with | | | | |