French philosopher, priest and mystic Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” We take part in the very human experience of daily responsibilities, conflicts, pain and happiness, but each of us as individuals has a spirit that is the true essence of ourselves. It is the part of us that makes us who we are, the part that is the explorer and seeker on this spiritual journey called life. So as we must care for our human side with food and material needs, we also must care for the spirit. There are a myriad of ways in which to care for the spirit such as meditation, prayer and various spiritual rituals. But there are also many simple and easy ways to nurture and enlighten your spirit every day. The following are some suggestions on how to do so, no matter what spiritual path you may follow.
Get Creative- We all have certain creators within our spirits that thrive and flourish on expressions of creativity. That creativity can be expressed in many ways such as:
Keeping a personal journal
Dancing (ballet, ballroom, interpretive, etc.)
Woodworking
Beading, sewing, needlework
Singing (with a choir, voice classes, or singing by yourself, etc.)
Home decorating or remodeling
Drawing, painting, collage work
Acting (classes, local theater group, etc.)
There are also ways to express your creative side that you may not have thought of, such as creating a loving family environment, preparing a healthy meal, creating new spiritual rituals for yourself or finding creative ways to show your gratitude to others.
The Joy of Sound- Sound that nurtures the spirit is different than the noise we are often bombarded with each day. Rather than being a drain, it is uplifting, soothing and often inspiring. This can be done by listening to a favorite music CD, attending a symphony, listening to chants on a CD, such as Tibetan or Gregorian chants or by creating your own sounds. There are various ways to create your own sound such as singing, playing an instrument, chanting a mantra, or using Tibetan singing bowls.
Connect with Nature- Being out in nature is one of the simplest ways to nurture your spirit. As often as you can take time to be out in nature, whether it’s in a park, on a neighborhood walk, in your backyard or somewhere more remote. Listen to the sounds of birds, notice the colors of flowers and other plants, feel the texture of tree bark, the touch of a breeze or the warmth of sunlight. Observe and soak in all the beauty of nature to help your spirit feel more alive. Another good way to connect with nature is to plant a flower, vegetable or herb garden. If you don’t have room for this you can take part in a local community garden which are usually available in many areas.
Connect with Others- Just as we are all spiritual beings, we are also spiritually interconnected in life. But too often we can feel disconnected from each other because of the fast-paced and high-tech world that we live in and this can leave us feeling depressed and drained. So connecting with others is vital not only to your spiritual health but also your emotional and physical health. Building and fostering a network of friends is important, but there are also many other healthy ways to connect with people such as:
Doing volunteer work such as helping out at a school, a nursing home, hospital, homeless shelter or food bank.
Joining a book club or any other type of special interest club.
Taking a class of any kind, whether it’s for fun, to further your education or some type of spirituality class such as meditation, yoga or philosophical discussion.
By doing so you not only help to nurture your own spirit but also the spirit of other people.
Connect with Yourself- Take time to connect with yourself each day whether it’s through a private spiritual practice, a relaxing time-out or something that’s fun for you. Schedule a block of time each day if you have, but always take the time to unwind, be on your own or do something that is just for you. Nurture yourself and your own interests in life, and in this way you can stay better connected with your inner-spirit.
