5 Ways to Incorporate Spiritual Meditation Into Your Day
Whether you call it meditation, mindfulness, prayer, or reflection, we all need to take time to be still and seek answers – one way or another. Interestingly, spiritual meditation is often associated with mindfulness, yoga, or just regular meditation.
Yet, there are some differences between spiritual meditation and other kinds of mindfulness, but the two practices are also more closely connected than you might think.
So, what is spiritual meditation? And how can you benefit from it? Let’s explore this topic.
What is Spiritual Meditation?
Each of us is an individual, and we have different needs. We experience mindfulness and meditation differently. In fact, half of the battle to tranquility is finding out what works for you, specifically, on a personal level. Spiritual meditation has many of the qualities of regular meditation but with a spiritual or religious connection.
Prayer can be a session of spiritual meditation. In fact, most types of religion have some form of meditation practice. Hinduism and Buddhism are most well-known for incorporating meditation into their faith, but Jewish Kabbalistic practices and Christian contemplative prayer are classified as spiritual meditations.
Benefits of spiritual meditation include:
- Inner stillness and peace
- A balanced sense of self
- The ability to truly understand who you are
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Clarity of thought
- Bolstered self-esteem and healthy self-acceptance.
How to Practice Spiritual Meditation
For a successful period of spiritual meditation, choose a quiet, peaceful environment. It’s important to feel relaxed and calm. An anxious mindset will only push the meditative state further away from you.
Remember, the point of spiritual meditation is to connect with your deeper self, along with a higher power. Once you’re comfortable, clear your mind and focus on the present. It’s a good idea to close your eyes to remove any distractions.
It’s worth noting that clearing your mind could be a messier process than you might expect. Get rid of any grudges or bad feelings, or any distracting, anxious thoughts.
How you choose to proceed next will depend on you, the individual, and your own personal faith. You might want to simply relax and focus on your breathing. Prayer is very common, along with repeating positive, uplifting phrases and mantras.
If you’re just starting the practice of spiritual meditation, try a few different methods to find out what works for you. There are many different types of spiritual meditation, and each one has its benefits.
Make sure to read: A 5-Minute Meditation to Start Your Day Off Right
5 Ways to Incorporate Spiritual Meditation Into Your Daily Routine
Spiritual meditation may seem like a good idea in theory, but incorporating meditation into your daily routine can be challenging. Let’s take a look at five ways you can practice spiritual meditation in your daily life.
1. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness, or staying present, is often associated with spiritual meditation. Mindfulness involves much more than simply setting aside a few moments each day to meditate.
It involves living in the moment. You taste and savor each mouthful of your food as you eat it, not worrying about the chores you have to do afterward. When you see your loved ones, you give them your full attention. When you choose to forgive someone, you truly do forgive.
No doubt you can think of plenty of other areas in your life where you could be more present. All of us are guilty of taking the moment we live in for granted, and it often takes effort to redirect your attention.
2. Accept Yourself & Others With Compassion
Spiritual meditation is all about connecting with yourself. All too often, we find that we dislike ourselves. Instead of focusing on your bad points, or perceived failings, try and accept yourself as you are. Be authentic. Be you.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t change personality flaws about yourself. For example, a violent temper isn’t something you should just accept about yourself. Both you and those around you would be happier if you were able to bring your temper under control. But real, lasting change comes from a place of happiness and self-love.
Then you can turn your newfound compassion onto others. Accept your loved ones, flaws and all. We all make mistakes at times, but holding onto grudges is toxic behavior. In fact, holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It will only hurt you.
Once again, this doesn’t mean that you should be a doormat – grant forgiveness where it’s deserved. However, if you don’t, let go of your anger. The act of letting go of anger can be a spiritual experience.
3. Practice Gratitude
The keyword here is “practicing” gratitude. Human nature often causes us to take things for granted and forget how blessed we are.
Taking time out of your day to count your blessings and recount what you’re grateful for is a good way of practicing spiritual meditation.
It’s not always easy to focus on our blessings, especially when life is going badly for us. But if this becomes a practice, counting your blessings and practicing gratitude is something that can get us through the hard times.
Related article: 5 Ways to Practice Daily Gratitude & Why Its Important
4. Pray or Meditate Several Times a Day
Forgiving others, mindfulness, and practicing gratitude are all great ways to introduce spiritual meditation into our lives. However, the best way to introduce spiritual meditation into our routine is to set aside time for it.
In time, you’ll find yourself naturally taking a few breaths before you get out of the car, leave the house, or whenever you can find a quiet moment. However, it takes time to get into this habit. In the meantime, it’s best to schedule a time to meditate.
Praying or meditation before meals, before you go to sleep, or first thing in the morning can help you get used to staying spiritual and relaxed throughout the day. You may even choose a guided spiritual meditation via apps, such as Headspace or Insight Timer.
5. Help Others
Lastly, you need to put your newfound spirituality and mindfulness into action by helping others. It’s up to you how much you can help others or who you help.
Why not use your meditation time to think about what you could do to help others?
Access Your Higher Self With Spiritual Meditation
It’s up to you how you choose to meditate. There are so many different types of spiritual meditation, and each one can bring so many benefits. Only a few minutes of spiritual meditation a day can help you to feel more relaxed, at peace, and at one with your faith.
Carve out that time for yourself. See how you feel.
Can it help you obtain a higher state of being?
Read next: Meditation 101: Calming Your Mind & Soul