Recently, I told a frazzled friend that she needs to take time each day to nourish her spirit. “I’m not even sure how to do that,” she said. “Can you give me a balanced spiritual diet? Like the old food pyramid?”
I thought sure, however, no one diet plan is right for everybody, and that includes our metaphysical needs as well. However, some spiritual practices are so nourishing that they have been recommended throughout history all over the world. Here is an outline of the menu of these “soul food groups” for you to add, one at a time, to see how you react to the suggestion. If a practice nourishes you, adjust the amount to find your own minimum daily requirement, then add another practice. Eventually, you’ll create the perfect spiritual “diet” for you.
HOLD STILL
The most powerful nourishment is also the simplest: shhhh! Practicing stillness is a venerable art in many spiritual traditions, usually in the form of meditation. You may way to try formally meditating by focusing on your breathing, a mantra, or a question. If you want a more Western approach, follow the biblical instruction to “Be still and know that I am God.” Eckhart Tolle believes this is actually one concept, our ultimate spiritual truth, expressed in five ways: Be. Still. Know. I am. God. Contemplating any one of these words provides nutrient-rich sustenance.
I used to hate meditation. Dropping my mind into stillness was like dropping a cat into a washing machine. Nevertheless, I could feel the practice feeding me, and between sittings, I grew noticeably healthier and more peaceful.
TALK IT OUT
You may have been raised to recite prayers before eating, sleeping, and entering battle (competitions, etc). However, it doesn’t necessarily need to be formal. Prayer means talking to your higher power, in whatever way feeds your soul. Pray the rosary, kneel by your bed, or just talk. Two friends of mine spend every morning chatting with God out loud, as if the Almighty were sitting happily at their coffee table. The only thing that matters is that you speak from your heart.
WISE UP
Generally, when we pray, our higher power doesn’t get right back to us — but that doesn’t mean that we can’t find answers. Some Earthlings can listen so deeply that they actually hear the divine. They receive guidance and comfort to share with the rest of us, like spiritual receptionists passing along messages. Of course, there are plenty of frauds who only claim to hear higher wisdom, however, I’ve found that when someone’s got a direct line to the universe, their words have such a profound resonance, you immediately recognize them as truth.
I recommend a wide variety of “foods” from this group; you’ll discover amazing similarities between the words of different masters, whether they are from Tibet or the Middle East or Mexico. The lessons are simple: Indescribable peace is possible. Love is our highest purpose. We are all one. Once you taste the sweetness of true wisdom, you’ll crave it every day.
FEEL THE BEAT
Music is another form of divine communication; one that transcends language. According to some scientists, the rhythm and resonance of music activates areas of the brain that help us feel we belong to something larger and are connected to each other. The positive effects are even stronger if we sing or hum, and allow our bodies to follow along. What music do you feel down to your soul? A lone flute? Gregorian chants? Soft Rock? Whatever you choose, let the music move you and absorb joyful spiritual nutrients.
COME TOGETHER
We all need solitude but we also need times of connection, when we can talk to one another, help one another, and love one another. This doesn’t require moving to an ashram or even going to church. You simply need to connect with another human being who shares your spiritual point of view. It could be a friend or a family member, or you might find someone in your book club, gym, or special interest group. The important thing is having a chance to feed someone else’s spirit and be fed in return. Amazingly, giving and receiving are equally nutritious.
GO NATURAL
If there is a Creator, then we can see that being’s imprint anytime, right outside our window: It’s called nature, and you can start to appreciate it right now just by looking up at the sky. Or take a drive through the countryside or a walk in the park. Contact with the natural world calms our nervous system and quiets us enough to hear our inner voice of wisdom and intuition. Trust me, it’s there. To coax it out, just breathe the fresh air, open yourself to nature and wait.
When you give your body healthy food, you feel more vibrant and alive; the same is true for your spirit. Sample a few portions of everything on this buffet and you’ll instinctively find the diet that will help you thrive.
What could be more delicious?
Read the full article at:
https://www.oprah.com/spirit/martha-beck-6-things-you-need-to-do-to-feed-your-soul