Do Your Spiritual Practices Need A Makeover?
"It is a practice that links the world's believers in diverse faiths,
joining them in a shared longing for the divine,
just as the beads themselves are bound together
by a single thread of cord."
~Kimberly Winston, Bead One, Pray Too
just as the beads themselves are bound together
by a single thread of cord."
~Kimberly Winston, Bead One, Pray Too
In the past month, my tried and true spiritual practices have taken a nosedive. Here's why.
As I recently wrote on Tess' blog, The Bold Life, ("30-Minute Wake-Up Call,") I've had a blessed and blissful morning routine for quite a while now. It's been a leisurely "itinerary" filled with all the things I most enjoy: practices that predictably deliver me into the arms of Spirit—silence, nature, journaling, reading, and more.
Well, all that changed when my husband took on a new job. Now we get up quite early. I head to the kitchen and make a lunch for him. I down my first cup of coffee then drive him to work. (We share a car.) By the time I get back home, I am revved up and ready to work! So what happened to the morning spiritual practices? Going, going, gone ...
Learning about Kimberly Winston changed all that.
Kimberly is the gifted author of Pray One, Bead Too, and she is an expert on making and praying/meditating with beads. (She's also written a book on prayer quilt ministry.) I've been following her blog for a while now and connecting with others who are passionate about using prayer beads, malas, or rosaries to sustain spiritual practice, too.
And now I've started a new morning practice with beads myself and I am absolutely loving it! It feels fresh and new and inspired. Sometimes we really do need to give ourselves a spiritual practice makeover to re-energize a stale or stagnant routine.
So right now I am using a mala bracelet along with a series of interspiritual prayers and am waiting for a custom mala to arrive, made for me by the very talented Laura at Heart of Compassion Malas. I see this is a practice that will grow and expand right
along with me.Guess what? Tomorrow, Kimberly is going to be here, guest posting, sharing with us how and why we might want to consider adopting a beautiful practice such as this. She'll discuss the various forms a prayer practice can take—no matter what your spiritual bent. I am very excited and honored to have her here.
She'll also be giving away a copy of her fabulous book, Pray One, Bead Too. It's stunning, and full of color photographs and plenty of beading instructions. Stop by, make a comment, and you'll be entered into the giveaway.
In the meantime, how's it going with your spiritual practices these days?
I'd love to hear ...
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(The photo, "Holding Prayer Beads" was created by Laurent G, whose ability to capture the heart of spiritual life is profound. I have been following his blog: http://designldg.wordpress.com.)
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Join me at WomenBloom this week, August 3-7. I am serving as a guest "expert" all week in the "Spirit and Self" forum. I'm talking about my new book, Your Truest Self, as well as 12 Transformational Truths that can help us live as our truest selves.
You'll need to sign in, as the Forums are a private sector of the site, but please do, because I expect lively conversation on how we can best live as our truest selves.
Today we are talking about "Speaking and Living Our Truths." Are you?
Once you sign in, here is the direct link.
Stop in and share your thoughts!
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12 comments:
Hi Jan, I was raised a Catholic so we used prayer beads all of my life. But, I am looking forward to what Kimberly has to say about this practice. I love adding to my way of living.
Wonderful post!! I have changed my spiritual practice little by little over the last ten years..it is still changing to suit my spirit. I still get stuck in those spots where my souls is saying go this way and it means a change! Thanks for the reminder..I will have to think on this one!! Namaste, Sarah
Jan - Looking forward to Kimberly's take on mala practice, I have always loved it. I am a big fan of changing my meditation practice up, or at least of trying new things frequently, in addition to my regular practice. I find otherwise I can get attached to one form, and just use it to 'feel good', which is OK when I need that, but in terms of really continuing my spiritual journey, getting outside my comfort zone is necessary. I know sometimes changing practice is frowned upon, and I guess changing could become addictive itself and keep one from delving deeper into one form, but I think there is value in experimenting too. Namaste- Lisa
Boy, I love this post. I make malas and use them daily. But for me there's no such thing as a "comfort zone" in meditation. There are always more layers to the onion being unpeeled. It's not always easy or even relaxing, but I think it takes you deeper and closer to the divine, both within and without.
Malas, like rosaries, are a way of connecting through touch, and they reminds you of what you're trying to do when you get a little drifty. Glad to see people discussing the use of prayer beads of all types.
Thanks Jan! Mala coming your way today.
Tabitha,
How nice to hear that this practice has stayed with you during your growing up years. And yet always room to grow...
Sarah,
I love what you say about your practices changing to suit your spirit. Requires deep listening and attentiveness. :-)
Lisa,
I, too, look forward to the conversation tomorrow. I agree that we can get attached to set forms and stepping outside our self-imposed box can be a very good thing. I've always loved the quote: Change is inevitable, but growth is optional. How we choose to grow from all our spiritual experiences is key. :-)
Laura,
Hi friend! Glad you will be with us for this conversation so you can lend your expertise too. And what you say is true. I am finding that the sense of touch is very important to keep us grounded in this practice. Oh, I can hardly wait for my new malas to arrive. Thank you!
Jan,
I love the idea of a spiritual makeover. I guess I am in the process of this right now also. I love the time I spend in quiet every morning, and with school starting soon, I will once again have to make some adjustments to that routine.
Years ago, when I began a search for a faith I could live with, I became drawn to prayer beads. For whatever reason that attraction dissolved, but you have sparked an interest again.
We'll see where I go with it this time. Thank you.
Very interesting post, and I look forward to learning more.
I always end the day with the best intentions for the next morning, but I also get up with my husband at 5 a.m., make his lunch and have breakfast with him. Then, with two college-aged children still living at home, and two neurotic pets, I often get sidetracked, and soon it's hours later. This might be just what I'm looking for!
Jill,
I so appreciate your thought here: "a faith I could live with." Oh, is that close to my heart, and so mirrors my own journey. It's also the source of the first Transformational Truth in my book,"I am free to live a spiritual life of my own making." You remind me... perhaps I should do a post on that soon! Yes, it sounds like a prayer bead practice could be helpful for you right now."
Angela,
Your house sounds a bit like mine this summer, though I only have one "student" at home and no neurotic pets. Lots of very loud birds in the yard and a renegade black bear. (LOL) Glad you are open to where new practices might take you.
In a word, my spiritual practices, such as they are, are "Sucking". Big time.
I'm anxious, feeling blue, reclusive (always a bad sign for me) and worried about my cat's refusal to eat.
I'll probably post something about this later, when I've had some time to work through my thoughts & emotions on it.
Right now, I'm feeling a lot of turmoil.
*Hugs*
Carolynn
Sometimes I wonder if people can read my mind! (Well, I know they can... but it always surprises me!). I was JUST thinking about this last night. How my meditation practice is less a practice and more a "special event" held maybe twice or three times a week. (sigh) I could use some help in this regard. I can't wait to read what Kimberly has to say!
Thanks, Jan!
Carolynn,
Sounds like you DO really need to connect with practices that soothe, inspire you, and connect you to your joy, your peace. What do you do normally, Carolynn, that brings you peace or connects you with the Spirit? I wonder if your practices are a bit stale and if a new one or two would be helpful. Hmm.... Be well, ok?
Megan,
This is a very good observation. Sounds like you are ready to spruce things up a bit. :-)
p.s. Sometimes, though, when we are going through big life changes (I sense that you are), nothing quite satisfies, and we have to be in the muck for a while. An uncomfortable place to be nonetheless. Sometimes something very simply, refocusing on our breath or the beauty of nature, is about all we can muster.
Hi Jan,
My spiritual practice is out the window! Reading your post is inspiring and makes me believe that maybe I can get back on track despite my own haphazard morning schedule. Thank you for this!
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