Does the term “spiritual” seem inappropriate combined with the idea of a warrior? There is a spiritual tradition in many cultures that describes the warrior of the higher path. The Tibetans, Buddhists and Yaqui Indians are most known for this description of the spiritual journey. In today’s New Age Daanan Perry writes and speaks about the Warrior of the Heart, this very concept, and so does Dan Millman in his “The Way of Peaceful Warrior”. I love that book! It is the book that got me started on this path of mine and is a HUGE reason why I do what I do now – sharing the greater light and wisdom that is available to all of us.

The Spiritual Warrior braves hardships, loneliness and ridicule to help others, improve the world and live the spiritual way. The path of Spiritual Warrior includes having the courage to know yourself – looking at or into the dark sides of yourself and its hidden shadows. Being a Spiritual Warrior means having the courage to face our own fears and create change in our lives. The Buddhists know it takes courage to stay committed and follow the eight fold path to enlightenment. The American Indians make decisions for the tribe by remembering and being responsible for seven future generations.

The average human lives either avoiding conflict to keep life nice and pleasurable or, in “fighting for control of life” by stepping on others, beating them out and getting Earth’s treasures for the ego self. This flight or fight response to life’s situations has created victor tyrants and abused victims, neither are happy or feeling complete and satisfied within. We see this in our homes and around the world between nations and races. Doing what “seems” expedient for the now – beating someone up physically/emotionally or retreating and avoiding conflict – only leaves the problem to continue. The spiritual path includes working to solve problems for all time!

But don’t be deluded into thinking that we will get rid of conflict on our learning path. Conflict is a constant challenge facing us all. It will continue to be so as long as we have something to understand and learn or until we no longer wish to give the gift of helping others. Conflict is especially more pronounced in the life of a Spiritual Warrior because he or she has chosen and committed to a life of growth, transformation, helping others and creating a greater quality life. Being on Earth is conflict – we are powerful infinite spiritual beings experiencing an infinite limiting physical world. If darkness does not exist, there will be no great appreciation of Light. The conflict between darkness and light will always “be”, but it only you and me that can choose how we want to feel.

If there’s one thing you will remember and integrate into every cell of your body and mind, it is this – “LET US STOP EQUATING CONFLICT WITH SUFFERING”. Conflict in life is a way to stretch our spiritual, mental, emotional and even physical strength. It is a call to growth and learning. A warrior answers the challenge and moves forward despite seeming difficulties. If we say we want to learn, we have taken up the banner of warrior. But let us be loving wise warriors working (not fighting) for good for all unto the seventh generation.

To eliminate suffering we can follow the Buddhist eight fold path of right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.

Buddha taught, “Now, the cessation of suffering is to cease from attachment. Attachment originates in craving, and craving originates in ignorance. To cease from suffering, cease from attachment; to cease from attachment, cease from craving; to cease from craving, cease from ignorance.”

The eternal conflict is learn and grow or suffer. The path of the spiritual warrior includes surrender of personal ego to spiritual direction, surrender of what no longer serves you or Spirit, surrender of what is no longer true, surrender of what isn’t loving and surrender of ignorance so we can be wise. On this path we will risk being misunderstood, hurt, not looking good or even feeling foolish. It means being willing to be a “learner” or “beginner” in life no matter what our earthly age.

The Avatars of this world were (and still are) spiritual warriors, as are our cultural heroes of every era. By joining the group of spiritual warriors today we work to help our own progress, we support others in what is good and we bless the world (and all the Universe).

Compassion, Joy, Equanimity, Unconditional Love, Philosophical mindfulness and a balanced perspective of Psychology are the core attributes of unbiased Spirituality. Even ‘mainstream religions’ allow themselves to have these perspectives.

Even if one’s evolutionary stage of development can only relate to ‘Mythic literal’ perspectives…

these core attributes still ring of truth…

For so many folks meandering up the evolution of human growth stages, they are attracted to the distraction of religions based on the lure of the man-made up myths, the so-called miracles and magic that was once necessary to just gain the attention of the collective consciousness of the archaic mindset of millennia ago.

Some traditions have a way of keeping progressive progress from transcending towards Higher and Deeper realms of personal Spiritual Awareness.

Even the concept of a personal Spiritual Awareness, is still forbidden in most ‘religious’ traditions.

Fortunately, there are a few new ‘spinoffs’ of mainstream religions branching out with more progressive inspirations and are now beginning to expand their archaic traditions…

Transcending to Higher and Deeper perspectives of personal Higher Consciousness, while including the core beliefs, integrating the morals, virtues, philosophical mindfulness and the psychologically balanced perspectives of an unbiased personally fulfilling Spirituality without the traditional un-rational requirements of believing the myths, magic and miracles of their dogma as the literal truth and thus falsely assuming that is proof of “God”… thus “No personal experiencing” necessary.

These misconceptions of irrational beliefs that were traditionally demanded on otherwise rational people eventually backfired, causing a landslide of humanity to abandon not only religion, but also to abandon their own pursuit of a personally connected practice of Spirituality.

In other words…

The Spiritual baby was thrown out with the dirty bath water of outdated traditional church dogma.

One’s Spiritual Path is a personal “Journey” towards Enlightenment of one’s Soul.

Not a guilt trip.

Nor

a ‘divide and conquer’ bias of separating those that pray like they do and the rest of humanity that can be disenfranchised because they believe those wretched souls are going to hell.

This is traditionally why most of the wars were started.

Faith is not about fearing ‘God’… It’s all about love.

There are no words or Christian scriptures that explain ‘God’… to a point of attaining “heaven”.

Zen, Tao, Hindu Bhakti, and even the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path…

at best can only ‘point out’ a way to ‘experience’ the Divine Bliss for one’s self.

Until you ‘taste’ Divinity by personal experience, you will never know ‘God’.

Keep in mind, that ‘God’ really isn’t the old white dude, that we were taught to fear… egotistically perched on a golden throne, peering down on all us worthless sinners eager to smite us down for the petty projections of the archaic mindset once in control of church and state.

No…

“God” is a conceptual-less concept that is far and beyond the understandings of our conceptual minds.

Yet very simple…

If you want to Love ‘God’ you first need to love yourself.

If you want to know ‘God’, you must first know your True Self.

If you want to speak to ‘God’,

you must learn the language that ‘God’ speaks…

Silence is the language ‘God’ speaks.

Connecting to your inner Stillness in Deep contemplative meditation will open a door to your inner Silence.

Abiding in your inner Silence will open a door to the sacred and boundless Spaciousness that is the Ground of your True Nature of Being.

Meditate on the non-duel awareness of your inner stillness, silence and finally

the union with boundless spaciousness…

There within one’s ‘center’, lies a sacred space in which there are no thoughts, concepts, no ‘me’ or duality…

it simply just ‘is’.

And to rest there, in that… space…

as if cradled in the arms of the Mother of one’s true Being… nourished, protected, calm clear light of Awareness…

this is about as close to bliss as one can get…

without liberation from the cycle of samsara and attaining Heaven or Nirvana.

Rest and abide in this boundless Space of your True Nature as long as it remains fresh… and repeat.

As the radiance of the sun ripens fruit…

radiate the virtues of Unconditional Love, Joy, Compassion and Equanimity

to all sentient beings everywhere.

Allow yourself to feel this radiance reflected back to you.

May this radiance fill your heart and soul with Bliss

while you find contentment in the ever-present moment…

Thus,

Enjoying Eternal Bliss…

and

making this world a better place for our

children’s children’s children…

– – – – – – –

This country started its existence as a Republic. We’ve shifted far off that foundation over the past 100 years, but we can still regain our lost foundation and grow into a higher form of a Republic – what I call a spiritual Republic.

Let’s first define what I mean by “spiritual.” I’m not referring to any specific religion; instead, I’m referring to the spiritual principles at the foundation of every spiritually-based religion. These spiritual principles are universal; they apply to, and form the basis of, every spiritual religion – with only dogma separating one religious group from another.

Some of these principles are: you are responsible for your actions, your life, and what’s in it; it’s important to make positive choices that benefit as many as possible, rather than negative choices that hurt others; treat people around you with respect; love your family and have good will toward all others; and live your life with honesty and integrity. Clearly that is not a complete list, but I think it’s easy for most of us to agree that each of these tenets is a part of all religions with a spiritual basis.

The key to restoring our Republic and growing into a spiritual Republic lies in more and more people learning, and living by, true spiritual principles. Living by true spiritual principles will make everyone’s life calmer, filled with more love, and much more fulfilling. This will spread out into the world around us in our dealings with each other, and many positive things will come from this. Here are just a few of them:

• Virtually everyone, regardless of where you go, will be courteous, respectful, kind, and caring.
• Crime will diminish. This will in part come from people taking responsibility for their lives and learning to take positive actions instead of negative actions.
• Greed, and its negative influence, will wither away over time. This will have an enormous positive impact when it happens. Business will be run by pure capitalism, without greed to distort it and create huge separations between the wealthy and other classes. The distinction between classes will diminish because more people will be prospering. Our country will grow more prosperous, stable, and strong. Please remember: greed is NOT another word for capitalism. It’s greed that’s a failure, not capitalism itself.
• Over time, our failed monoculture food production system will be replaced with polyculture food production. This will lead to more nutritious food and a healthier population. Our planet will begin to heal, and our water and air will be cleaner too.
• The government will once again assume the role of protecting its citizens and their rights, rather than trying to control everything in society in the name of “the greater good.” The idea of a “greater good” is fine, but it will never be achieved by government regulation. The only way to truly reach the “greater good” is by having the population become more aware and more responsible. Ironically, this will decrease the need for a bloated government that functions on over-regulation, while collectively providing a better life for all American citizens through cooperation and caring – about each other, and about the future of the planet we call home.

This is clearly not a comprehensive list, so the true benefits of a spiritual Republic, while they will take decades to develop, are far more numerous than just this short list. We can achieve this, and, in fact, we’re (despite appearances and resistance from some people, some organizations, and the government) inevitably headed in this direction as more and more people get interested in true spirituality, spurred by the feeling that there is much more to life, and to us, than we can see on the surface.

This safe, prosperous, and secure society that we all deserve to live in is more than a pipe dream. It begins with each of us, and our choices. Make the choice today to do all you can to leave the best world possible to all our future generations. Let the idea of a spiritual Republic take hold in your heart, and let its principles shine through you into your life.

Few people realize it, but spirituality and sexuality are the two most sacred aspects of yourself. When you share with someone either of these, you are sharing on the deepest and most intimate level. Because they are connected to each other, when someone experiences sexual abuse, s/he also experiences spiritual violence.

Types of Sexual Abuse

There are six basic types of physical sexual abuse:

• Incest or molestation by a family member or loved one
• Incest or molestation by a stranger
• Rape by a stranger
• Rape by someone you know (date rape) or a loved one (marital rape)
• Sexual abuse by a spiritual authority or leader
• Sexual abuse by a secular authority figure such as a therapist, police officer or other authority

There is also the victimization difficult for the victim to identify other than s/he feels “slimed.” Instances of this are found in:

• Being subjected to pornography at a young age
• A parent or caregiver refusing to give privacy to their child while bathing or dressing
• Being subjected to pornography without choice
• Comments or jokes that are explicitly sexual and demeaning
• Comments or jokes with a double message that are sexual and demeaning
• Inappropriate hugging or touching (without genital contact which is physical sexual abuse)
• Unwanted lustful looks or actions

When Sexual Abuse is Spiritual Abuse

I’m going to make a general statement here. All such exploitation of a child, be it physical or otherwise, is spiritual violence. These actions can result in:

• A feeling of shame, that something is damaged or evil about them
• Mistrust of people in general
• Anger and mistrust of God or Spirit for not protecting them
• Feeling unsafe in their environment no matter where they are

Then, of course, there is the perpetrator who is a spiritual or religious authority figure. These actions, no matter what the age of the victim, result in deep spiritual wounds. An individual representing a Being who is supposed to be pure love, violates trust in the most primal manner. The one victimized begins to doubt the love of God. Does God also violate one’s trust? Does God really care?

An aspect of spirituality is trust in the inner knowing that is connected to the Divine. If trust in the Divine is broken, then the individual doubts his or her own inner knowing. The victimized individual has difficulty finding personal inner direction and power. S/he is usually hyper-alert always afraid of being hurt again in such a profound manner. Unfortunately, the fear itself sends forth a signal that flashes “victim” and exploitation can be attracted again.

We are seeking to sweep through the Bible – to have an overview of what is covered in our Bible – and we are now in week four. In our general Bible reading, we see that others swept through the Scriptures at times – when on trial for their faith – Stephen in Acts Chapter 7 – Paul when preaching in Acts Chapter 13 – and also when on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ.

We have covered 2,000 years – 500 years – and 200 years – in the first three articles.

Now we are at 1,000 BC, and David is King in Israel.

This is the account of God’s people told from God’s point of view. These Chapters are not merely historical, intellectual or academic – they are relevant for each of us – for all mankind.

These kings had absolute power – unlike the monarch in our land. They made the laws and commanded the armies – no parliament – no voting – no opposition, politically speaking – although there was opposition – and sometimes from men of God, when the king was bad.

God tells us whether the king was a good king or a bad king – depending upon his spiritual qualities. Did he worship the God of Israel, or did he bow down to idols and do evil in the sight of the Lord?

Was he for morality, justice, integrity – or were these qualities lacking in his life?

We read of what God regards as important. God is primarily interested in the leaders’ beliefs and behaviour.

Under David and Solomon, Israel owned and occupied most of the land promised to Abraham – from Egypt to the Euphrates.

Solomon asked God for wisdom – and God was pleased to give him that. I am sure that is true of anyone who asks God for wisdom. God also gave Solomon wealth, riches, fame and power – people travelled to meet this man of God. The Queen of Sheba was so impressed by the splendour she witnessed in Jerusalem.

He built the Temple – and we have recorded his prayer at the dedication. II Chronicles Chapters 6 and 7. I Kings Chapter 8.

To build the Temple involved forced labour and heavy taxation – and the people in the north did not appreciate all this money being used in the south – strangely familiar and modern. It was a colossal task – planning – skill – over a period of time – faith – with everything in its place – and we have our place in the Body of Christ.

Worship was now centralized in Jerusalem. But the day came when buildings were over, and God was going to dwell in people – and that happened after Jesus Christ lived and died and rose and ascended and poured out the Holy Spirit.

These were the days of the Psalms and Proverbs – Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes – literary riches – which become the Word of God.

But then there was civil war – and the people of God divided – and there were ten tribes in the north and two in the south.

Eventually – they were taken off into captivity – around the year 586 BC.

But during these years, God raised up prophets. God put His words into men’s mouths.

Isaiah prophesied following the reign of Uzziah – and during the reign of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was a good king to begin with – and then not so good – II Kings Chapter 18 and Chapter 20.

Jeremiah is a prominent prophet at this time – giving us a vivid picture of the condition of the nation – and spelling out what was about to happen.

Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah – II Kings Chapter 21 – and he was bad – very bad – worshipping Molech – and sacrificing children in the valley to the south of Jerusalem.

Why do people want to do this when they have a Temple for pure holy God inspired worship? Ezekiel is writing and speaking out too.

Josiah – II Kings Chapter 22 – he was a good king – 23 verses 25 and 26.

When the Babylonians came, they killed Zedekiah the king – Chapter 25 verse 7 – having tied him up in chains – made him watch his sons being killed – and then gouging out his eyes.

The people rejected the Word of God – the Covenant which God made with this chosen people – and the men God raised up to speak forth His Word.

Although it is mentioned what will happen – off into exile – taken away as prisoners to a foreign land – there is always the promise that God would bring them back.

Isaiah 11 verse 11. Jeremiah Chapters 31and 33. Ezekiel Chapter 36: 16f.

The punishment of Exile in Babylon is only for a limited period – although 70 years is a long time.

We set the spiritual example – the tone of a meeting – where we go – can be influenced greatly by our very presence. If we have a leadership role that will be even more marked – as those around us will look for an example.

We see too the dangers of having liaisons with people who serve foreign ‘gods’.

Elijah asked the people – I Kings 18 verse 21 – how long will you waver between two opinions? And also we learn that we may not be all that popular with certain people.

In verse 17 – Ahab the king asks Elijah – “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”

Josiah reminds us that we must be regular readers of the Bible. If we neglect its truth, we may face similar consequences as these people did.

But one thing becomes clear – and that is – the sovereignty of God.

God is in control. God is blessing what can be blessed – and dealing with situations which need His Sovereign Hand.

Solomon was great but Jesus Christ is greater. Matthew Chapter 12 verse 42

Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish – so Jesus would be raised after three days and nights in the grave – verse 40.

Jesus met and talked with Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration – Luke Chapter 9 verse 28 – we see how much the Old and New Testaments are woven together and linked. We need all the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Even as we sweep through the Bible – see the Hand of God in your own life – taking time to worship Him and give thanks.

“Almighty God we see again Your Sovereign Hand – a God who blesses and a God who judges. Open us to the truth of Your Holy Word. Guard our lives in these days when many would wander from the authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. So help us, risen and living Jesus. Amen.”

“When I first listened to the mbira sound, I wanted to hear more and more. I could not stop it, I was sick until I learned to play, so I

could hear these sounds, said the Zimbabwe’s Mbira Queen maestro, Stella Rambisai Chiweshe.

The above experience is not unique to Stella, as she is known by her legions of fans. Those were the same feelings that drove the only

Mbira music ensemble in Gweru, the Midlands Mbira Crew to the traditional beat.

The group is a brainchild of three mbira enthusiasts, Trymore Marowa,

Chigama Hope and James Chiguvare was formed in November last year.

The trio reveals that as they play and listen to the Mbira beat they

get “engrossed by the spiritual world”, they get possessed with

ancestral powers “that can cast the evils of society away.”

Martin Mgwagwa, the Manager of the group, said feelings of the artful

way ancestors lived made them play mbira music, an art he says is

“innate and does not need formal education.”

He added that the traditional beat is unique, compared to others as

Sungura as one plays using instruments that are not connected to

external wires.

“Mbira as part of art music is distinct from Sungura music that is

played out of wires connected to electricity for entertainment. Mbira music get into the bottom of his heart through feelings that can neither be touched or seen”,

said Mgwagwa.

“We play mbira to express our feelings as well as that of

my community using typical ancestry self made instruments that we want

to conserve as culture to our children”, he added.

Mgwagwa revealed that mbira music remind the people of Zimbabwe about their ancestor’s way of life before the coming in of television and radios. He said that just like

Christianity, traditional living can be captured and conserved through

playing mbira to the people of Gweru.

Mbira music is more salient to social and economic issues than in politics. As Midlands Mbira Crew we get invitations from all over the

country to perform, especially where there will be spirit mediums (mhondoro) or where there ceremonies to bless new buildings

or to cleanse away evil spirits.

“We have seen many artists dying of HIV/Aids and if you are playing Mbira dzechivanhu it works on you as a

carthesis that disciplines and cleanses away evil. Midlands Mbira Crew namely Trymore Marowa, Hope Chagama, James

Chiguvare, Owen Mbano, Skanyisiwe Kanye, Author Mbano and Clara Mashayamombe are looking forward to record their first album in mbira

music very soon.

The trio revealed that as they play and listen to the Mbira beat they

are “engrossed in the spiritual world”, which make them get possessed with

ancestral powers “that can cast the evils to the society members. “The traditional beat is unique, compared to others as

Sungura as one plays using instruments that are not connected to external wires”, he added.

“We play mbira to express our feelings as well as that of my community using typical ancestry self made instruments that we want

to conserve as culture to our children”, Mgwagwa said.

Mbira Crew namely Trymore Marowa, Hope Chagama, James Chiguvare, Owen Mbano, Skanyisiwe Kanye, Author Mbano and Clara

Mashayamombe are working on their first album in mbira music which will be released very soon.

There is a need to teach mbira music at both primary and secondary levels

as a way of preserving our local culture, said Mgwagwa the Manager. He

encouraged all artists around the country not be shy about what they

are doing through music that uses traditional instruments.

Recently on the Internet I discovered a few lists of the signs of spiritual awakening (sometimes also referred to as symptoms of spiritual awakening).  The lists I’ve come across so far are vague and unclear (for example: headaches and body aches, feeling as though you’re on an emotional rollercoaster “for no reason,” changes in energy levels, sleep patterns, jobs, and/or relationships, gaining or losing weight, even an itchy scalp–all apparently for no reason), so I decided to come up with my own list of what I understand to be the most essential and relevant signs and symptoms of spiritual awakening. The following is a list of nine things I experienced during the process of awakening: 

1. Synchronicities that are meaningful to you. (These help point you in the right direction or help spark an important new insight.)
2. Intensely painful life “changes” that you can’t explain or know how you’ll get through. (This assures that you look within for the answers.  Note that “change” is often a polite way of saying “loss.”)
3. All-consuming inner contemplation followed by possible reassessment of beliefs, especially at 3 or 4 in the morning (often triggered by happenings or things you can’t explain using your current belief systems or knowledge).
4. Receiving “secret messages” from people who aren’t aware they’re relaying special messages to you. (If they had known, they may have hesitated, and sometimes spirit just doesn’t want to take chances.)
5. Having the same thing (especially something that’s unusual) happen to you two or three times in a relatively short period of time, like, say, 24 hours. (This assures that you actually notice what your higher self wants you to notice.)
6. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling intense confusion. (This means your beliefs are being re-evaluated. Before you become clear and solid in your new awakened state, you will no doubt find yourself mucking through a period of deep confusion.)
7. Favorable synchronicities that happen regularly. (You can expect these to occur after you regularly follow through with your inner guidance.)
8. Intense, vivid dreams that seem to point you in a certain direction. (The further along in the process you are, the clearer your dreams will be and the more your dreams will help guide you in your daily life. The dreams will be in metaphor form, often in metaphors that make sense to you.)
9. Finding yourself laughing more often. (Sometimes you will wake up in the middle of the night, think something profound that’s also funny, and then laugh your head off. This is not a joke. Your higher self is playful and wants you to have fun while you’re awakening.)

Experiencing any (or all) of these signs means that spirit (your higher self) is trying to get your attention! Also, spirit is playful and wants you to enjoy the awakening process (it’s not all about pain and drama but about enlightenment, about becoming light-hearted). You will also be amazed at the creativity of your higher self.

Remember, the fast track to spiritual awakening does not depend on how much fame or fortune you’re born with (or currently possess), or on how many advanced degrees you have, but on how much you’re willing to (temporarily) forgo your comfort zones for the noble purpose of personal and spiritual growth. This is important because it is your individual growth that is of utmost importance at this crossroad in humanity’s collective evolution.  Remember also that the signs and symptoms you experience aren’t just signs or symptoms; they are designed to assist you in the spiritual awakening process.

From childhood to adulthood, the knowledge we gain or the experiences we have in our lives only helps us to discover our outer personality and brings us closer to material things of this world. At the same time we sometimes get depressed or fall into a low self-esteem Problem. Spiritual Affirmations help us get out of these problems. Spiritual Affirmations leads us towards a happy and satisfying life with a peaceful mind.

Affirmations are a judgment that we pass or any thought we have. An affirmation is directly linked to our sub consciousness. Affirmations can either be negative or positive which can either guide our subconscious actions to a successful life or towards failure.

Spiritual Affirmations are a form of meditation which when mediated often, have a desirable results. For example if a person has a lack of confidence or self-esteem problem sit in a peaceful, quiet place with some spiritual affirmations in your mind, let the emotions flow to you and start saying the spiritual affirmations aloud, ‘I believe in myself’ or ‘My inner self will always guide me towards right path with decisions that are beneficial to me and others’.

The key behind spiritual affirmations is to let go of all your negative thoughts and trust completely in yourself. Instead of thinking ‘This project is too difficult for me’ try thinking ‘I am capable of anything and obstacles do not effect me or my work’. Once you adopting this kind of spiritual affirmation you will notice a positive and healthy change in your life.

The best way to carry out spiritual affirmation technique is to release your mind of any negative thought, sit in a peaceful and quiet place, relax and visualize any positive spiritual affirmation such as ‘My mind is at peace now’. At the same time try to use simple words and sentences which can easily be interpreted by our mind and mind can easily accept it to be true.

Spiritual affirmations not only help to achieve a peaceful mind and happy life but also helps us draw closer to God. Remember God and His blessings as much as possible while utilizing the spiritual affirmation technique. For example “I let my renewed soul thank God for His blessings” or ‘I release my old self and reborn with a new pure soul’. The most acceptable and commonly used word in spiritual affirmation is ‘Amen’ meaning ‘so be it’. While some of us use it to conclude our prayer, it can be used for spiritual affirmation.

For a positive result spiritual affirmation needs to be repeated many times for effectiveness. Write down any positive thought you get maybe in a diary, on a piece of card or whichever way is convenient to you. Review them daily to get your mind to completely accept these thoughts. Preferably review them twice a day. Initially during spiritual affirmation technique we will also get negative thoughts. Note down these thoughts as well and at the end of the day review them and try replacing them with something more positive. Once you perform this spiritual affirmation technique on a regular basis you will find a positive change in yourself with a renewed spirit.

When travelling on life’s path we are all likely to be blown off course by the myriad unsettling and distracting things in the world in which we live. By worries and stress to do with, for example, gaining social esteem, earning a living, keeping friends, or finding a mate. And so you may be thinking that you need a regular spiritual practice of some kind to calm your mind and discipline your life.

A spiritual practice is a repeated activity or exercise that re-awakens deeper experience and provides a connection to the energy in the universe – the higher power that revitalises us and sustains our journey.

Range of spiritual practice available

There are many kinds of spiritual practice available – each offering a sense of well-being and inner growth. For example there are several kinds of complementary medicine, meditation, and yoga which can incorporate a spiritual dimension. Also I could mention the spiritual disciplines taught by each of the world’s religions.

Whatever the beliefs associated with them, each spiritual practice claims to help us get in touch with what we are – spiritual beings. Underlying what seems to be differences, in for example schools of meditation, is a single aim – the realisation of a higher consciousness: one resulting from withdrawal of attention from distracting matters in the mind. This chimes with our deepest need to find a shift in attention away from the mundane and ordinary side of life to a focus on a source of energy that is timeless and profoundly satisfying.

“Once experienced it flows through our lives to heal, empower, and inspire creativity and wisdom. It gives us well-being and enables us to be truly alive.” (Paul Heelas, a British sociologist and anthropologist.)

But given all the demand on our time, we need to make a choice. Which activity is going to help the most?

Pragmatic choice of a spiritual practice

Each spiritual practice is related to a certain secular or religious belief. Ideas which you may be unsure about. Roger Walsh (Australian academic in psychiatry, philosophy and anthropology) has pointed out that religions contain an enormous amount of popular nonsense but they also contain a core of wisdom and spiritual practice of remarkable transformative power.

You may choose an activity on the basis of the spiritual teaching associated with it. But, on the other hand, you may pragmatically opt for a regular practice that bears the most fruit regardless of the tradition from which it comes.

Individual appropriateness of a spiritual practice

What helps one person most may not be what helps another. The question becomes what spiritual practice would work best for you? Although they all have a common aim each can be thought to help spiritual development in a specific way.

What follows are a few of the particular manners our spirituality can be fostered. I suggest examples of an applicable spiritual exercise or practice for each.

Of course, this short list just touches the surface of this fascinating field. However, whatever distance so far travelled on one’s passage through life, one can find the best spiritual practice. A regular activity that will catch the eye as being of particular personal relevance at this time.

Balancing bodily energy

Controlling the breathing as in Pranyama. Meeting and re-directing force with softness as in Tai Chi.

Gaining self-awareness and self-knowledge

Keeping a personal self-reflective journal. Attending a silent retreat. Undergoing a course of spiritual counselling.

Bringing to mind one’s ideals

Making a weekly written reminder of one’s principles, highest values & aims in life.

Disengaging from useless ‘mind chatter’

Emptying the mind of its clutter through a form of concentration meditation. Practising present moment awareness using MBSR (Mindfullness Based Stress Reduction) meditation.

Recognising the sacred in all things

Reciting daily affirmations concerning the good in nature or people. Religious believers could recite devotional prayers focused on their faith in creation and divine providence.

Embracing generosity

Making regular charitable donations. Committing oneself to working a few hours a week doing voluntary service.

Developing wisdom and understanding of life

Reading & reflecting on sacred writing on a daily basis. Concentrating the mind on and exploring a profound idea.

Accepting need for personal change

Undertaking self-examination and saying a regular confessional prayer.

Practising specific changes in behaviour

Each week trying out a different spiritual characteristic (such as gratitude, patience, forgiveness, or playfulness)

Co-operating with a higher power

Repetition of a divine name. Praying daily to God asking for help

Extreme practices

Ascetic practices involve renouncing material possessions, bodily pleasures and fame. Fasting, sex abstinence, and living in very sparse conditions come to mind. I would challenge the extreme body-denying aspects of ascetic practices. Surely meeting our natural needs is good as long as this does not mean over-riding the spiritual side of life. If so moderation in all things seems to me to be a good motto.

An example of a straightforward spiritual practice

The way one eats one’s food can be viewed as a spiritual practice. There is an opportunity to pause before eating in order to offer thanks for what is received, to acknowledge those who grew and prepared the food, and to invite friends to share food with one. This is in contrast to the our current culture with its hurried lifestyle encouraging drive through fast food establishments, greeting a cashier as a functionary, and devouring food in a isolation whilst driving to one’s next appointment.

Cheap grace

Dietrich Bonhoffer (German pastor and anti-Nazi dissident) criticised ‘cheap grace’ i.e. grace and forgiveness without repentance and discipleship. In other words acknowledgement of the lips of one’s faults without any heartfelt desire to change one’s behaviour or effort to do so is no good. It is mere hypocrisy.

Conclusion

In cultivating deeper experiences and spiritual growth, the best practice is the one that is best for each of us. It depends on what we each need at any point in terms of developing inner peace, enlightenment of ideas, liberation or salvation from all that is bad that holds us captive, or communion with our Divine Source.

It is reasonably safe to assume, since the beginning of mankind, humans have been on spiritual quests. They have sought these spiritual quests to discover personal meaning in their lives or to achieve transcendence, or to heal.

Within the shamanic movement, there are two fundamental forms: group and individualistic. Modern individualist shaman movements contain three very broad categories:

1. New Age

2. Neopaganism

3. Core Shamanism (Neo-Shamanism)

Those who are practitioners of Core Shamanism object to being included in the New Age Movement. Conservative in its nature, Core Shamanism emphasizes a sentient relationship to the spiritual world, the interconnectivity of the universe, transcendence, and healing. A potential direct contact with the spiritual world quickly becomes a focus of the shamanic experience.

Within the Core Shamanic concept of an alternate reality lies three layers:

1. Lower World

2. Middle World (Occupies the same space as Ordinary Reality)

3. Upper World

These three levels are reached through altered states of consciousness. The shaman attains these altered states through the use of drums, rattles, dance, or fasting. It is true certain South American aboriginals use drugs to induce a trance like state, something many writers in the field do not advocate. The basic reason altering the state of consciousness is to gain knowledge on how to help those who are ill; either physically or emotionally.

Native Americans do not hold to a universal spiritual system per se. They do believe in the interconnectivity of man and nature, of man and the spiritual world. They do have vision quests during which one may arrive at an altered state of consciousness. Even though there are traditional healers, persons responsible for rituals, singers, mystics, and lore-keepers, none are officially referenced as shaman. However, some authorities on shamanism claim certain Native American Tribes in Washington do use the term shaman.