Prayer and meditation brightens the heart and lifts the spirit
begin practices that are known to reduce stress such as physical exercise, walking, taking time to relax and by reading a well-chosen book that brightens and uplifts one’s heart and spirit.
Among the spiritual practices known to promote health and well-being are meditation, contemplation, prayer, tai chi and yoga. The list also includes classes that stimulate our creativity including art, music and dance therapy. It could include a spiritual retreat, visiting an art museum, journaling, walking a labyrinth and engaging in private counseling, psychotherapy or finding a trained spiritual director.
A wise person will find which of these healthy practices works for him or her. Not everyone will take up yoga or art therapy. Some will love meditation instead. The best approach is to expose oneself to several of these practices and discover the one best suited for an individual’s needs. What about Religion?
In America, the most common spiritual practice may be to attend a religious service. This experi- ence can provide an hour with people who share one’s beliefs and values.
It is a time to sing together, listen to sacred writings, hear a beautiful anthem and it is a time to listen to an inspiring message. Most importantly, religious services also provide the opportunity to kneel and commune with the transcendent mystery many of us call God, Allah or Krishna, or we may not want to use any name to describe the beauty and majesty of the creator. A worship service can provide all this and a sense of awe, the “mysterium tremendum,” as described by German theologian Rudolph Otto.
Yet, one also can find this experience of awe outside the confines of a church, temple or synagogue. Who has not experienced awe when standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon or watching a glorious sunset in a beautiful setting? Some will say, “I worship God best when fishing.” These are occasions when time seems to stand still and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world. What is spirituality?
Today many say “I am spiritual but not religious.” Spirituality is where we find meaning and purpose in life. It is where we are most alive, most aware and most sensitive to others and to our environment and the creatures of our environment — our pets.
I like to give a relational definition to spirituality and say that human beings are innately designed to connect — to connect to others, to connect to our environment and the creatures of our environment, to connect to our true self and, finally, to connect to that transcendent mystery we may call Great Spirit, or whatever name we wish to give to God.
I believe connecting is what makes us human. Connecting brings joy and laughter, wonder and provides moments of grace. Connecting is a large part of how meditative practices and prayer can bring healing and health to our mortal bodies.
Spirituality is where we find meaning and purpose in life.