About a month ago, I posted a photo on Instagram with my spiritual practices. I’d been feeling off mentally and emotionally, and I realized it was because I’d been neglecting to do those things. I wanted to share what I did to counter that off-feeling in case someone else could use the info. So, I decided to write a post about it; here goes — these are the eight spiritual practices I do daily and/or on a regular basis to stay grounded and centered:
1. Meditation & Yoga
Most mornings, I go to my meditation/yoga space and do a 10 minute meditation, and I try to at least quiet my mind and take a few deep breaths before going to bed. I recently bought some crystals from Third Eye Naga, and I’ve been using those while meditating. Sometimes, I’ll visualize and/or recite some affirmations as well. Also, I usually listen to meditation music or binaural beats from YouTube while meditating. (Here’s my current playlist).
When it comes to yoga, some days, I practice in the morning, and others, I practice in the afternoon or at night. Nowadays I mostly do my own flow, but when I don’t, I do a video from Yoga By Candace.
How often I do this: Meditation — daily; yoga — 5-6 days a week
2. Gratitude
In the morning, I write five things I’m grateful for in my gratitude journal. It might be something specific that happened or as simple as “a new day.” I also use the app Bliss to record three things that happened during the day that I’m thankful for or that brought me joy.
How often I do this: Daily
3. Visualization
This is my daily visualizing practice: After writing what I’m thankful for in the morning, I basically write down how my day went as if it was the end of that day. For example, I wrote today’s (Sunday’s) vision — what happened during the day — from Sunday night’s perspective (hopefully, this makes sense). Basically, I write how I want to feel and what I want to do and accomplish that day. And although everything doesn’t happen the way I write it, doing this leaves me feeling optimistic and I feel it helps set the tone for creating an amazing day.
How often I do this: daily
4. Affirmations/Prayer
Usually, after I do the above items, I read my affirmations. I created a folder in my phone’s image gallery, and I either go through and read all of them or a few of them. I might also recite some of my favorite ones in the morning and throughout the day like “I am calm and centered,” or “I let go and allow the universe to do her thing.” One of my favorite places to find affirmations is Pinterest (and here’s my board with some).
When it comes to prayer, I use an e-book I bought from Ra Sehki Store called Speaking with Spirit that includes prayers from the Diaspora.
How often I do this: Almost daily
5. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping
According to the Energy Therapy Centre, “the technique works by releasing blockages within the energy system which are the source of emotional intensity and discomfort.” The blocks in our energy system can challenge us emotionally and lead to limiting beliefs and not being able to live harmoniously. I especially like to use EFT when I’m feeling super stressed or worried, or if I want to release blocks around money or abundance. I primarily use Brad Yates’s YouTube channel, and I love this video from Abiola Abrams.
How often I do this: 1-2 times a week
6. Smudging
Smudging is burning herbs, like sage, to clear negative energy from yourself and/or your space. You can find sticks at new age stores (Third Eye Naga, which I mentioned above sells them) or even make your own. Here’s how to use it:
Light the stick, and let it catch fire.
Let the fire out, letting the smoke billow from the stick.
If you’re smudging your home, walk around along each wall (or close to each wall), allowing the smoke to go everywhere. If you’re smudging yourself, wave the smoke, starting from your feet and moving up, over you body in front of and behind you. While smudging, you can verbalize what you’re releasing; For example, “I release doubt. I release fear. I release anything that no longer serves me.”
When you’re done, open a door or window to allow the old energy to leave.
How often I do this: to my apartment — once a week; to myself — probably 3-4 times a week
7. Journaling
I generally do this when I’m feeling stressed, frustrated, or disappointed, but I’m trying to get in the habit of doing it at least once a week to process things and to make sure my mind is calm and clear.
How often I do this: once a week
8. Mindfulness
“Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment. We also gain immediate access to our own powerful inner resources for insight, transformation, and healing,” says Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health, Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
When practicing mindfulness, not only are you aware of the present moment, you’re also in a state of emotional non-reactivity: No matter how good or bad the experience, you don’t judge it. Or if you do judge it, you simply observe your thoughts with a friendly interest, then release them. Ways to practice mindfulness include:
- Doing one thing at a time.
- Doing less.
- Staying in the present moment.
- Making cooking and cleaning meditation.
How often I do this: Always Daily is the goal
“Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax.” – Bryant McGill
What spiritual practices do you use to stay centered and grounded? Let me know by leaving a comment. : )
