What\’s in Your Spiritual Pantry?
What\’s in Your Spiritual Pantry?
By Chloe JonPaul
Most of us check into our kitchen pantry on a regular basis to see what items we need so we can make a shopping list for the grocery store. Keeping a supply of staples is a given for most of us since we don’t want to run out of something just when we need it the most.
Today, however, I invite you to take a look at what’s in your spiritual pantry so you can decide on what needs to be added, replaced, or perhaps even discarded.
Spirituality is often misconstrued as having a religious affiliation with a church, mosque, or synagogue. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many church-going individuals who attend weekly services who are anything but spiritual. Likewise, there are many persons who follow a regimen of meditation and private prayer who wouldn’t dreamof entering a place of worship. The ideal can, perhaps, be found in a combination of the two.
Spirituality embraces a number of other disciplines besides prayer and worship. Yoga, tai chi, reciting a mantra, chanting, and meditation are excellent channels for attaining spirituality.
Whatever your current status in this area, you have reached a time in your life when taking inventory includes looking at the spiritual you.
In my book, “Entering the Age of Elegance”, I go into greater depth on this topic but here I’ll simply highlight a few resources you may want to check out.
Meditation:
If you want to explore specific techniques, you can choose between Eastern (most notably Buddhist, Tao, or Zen meditation) and Western (Christian). There are several interesting web sites which offer excellent tips. Here are a few :
- www.Chopra.com
- www.learn-to-meditate.com
- www.ananda.org
- www.meditationiseasy.com
- www.mediationcenter.com (offers a free 21-day newsletter)
Metamusic:
Note: Metamusic, developed by the Monroe Institute, is a combination of exquisite musical selections and the Hemi-Sync®is an audio technology based on how the brain functions naturally. It helps you safely alter your brainwaves with multi-layered patterns of sound frequencies. When listening to these sound frequencies through stereo headphones, your brain responds by producing a third “sound” (electric signal) called a binaural beat which encourages the desired brainwave activity. The CDs produced by the Monroe Institute feature many titles with special blends of the Alpha, Delta, and Theta frequencies that slow excess mental activity and facilitate meditation and relaxation. (For more information, log on to www.MonroeInstitute.org or request a catalog by calling 1-800-541-2488.)
Books:
There are many excellent books on the market that fall under the category of spiritual reading. They can’t all be listed here but I’ll mention a few that I have found to be exceptionally worthwhile.
- When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough by Harold Kushner
- The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
- Everyday Tao: Living With Balance and Harmony by Deng Ming Dao
- Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Journaling:
Keeping a daily journal (even if you only write a couple of lines) is an excellent way to track your spiritual journey because it is here that you can articulate your deepest thoughts.
Silent Retreat:
Whether you go to a retreat center, monastery, or spend the day at home, you can have a day that is totally engulfed with tranquility. If you elect to do this at home, turn off the computer, telephone, radio, and TV. Immerse yourself in the stillness and watch what happens with the changes in your body’s rhythm and activity of your mind.
Websites:
Beliefnet.com – This web site has something for everyone. The link Faiths and Practices provides information on every religion. Other links include Holistic Spirituality, Guided Meditations, Healing Prayers, plus much more. You can even take a personality quiz by clicking on to Belief-O-Matic to identify your religious and spiritual beliefs.
So there you have it! As you enter the Age of Elegance, you can move forward with confidence to nurture your spiritual self. The Woman of Elegance seeks balance and harmony in her life.
Note: this article is an excerpt from Chloe\’s first book, Entering the Age of Elegance: A Rite of Passage & Practical Guide for the Modern Maturing Woman. You can learn more about Chloe JonPaul and her writing on her website.
