Skip to main content

Making Space for Spirit

The following post was first published as an article in June 2008 Metta Center Newsletter.

Sometimes we are afraid to say "no!" to the outside obligations that inch into our lives. I have learned to say "know," instead of "no": it is up to me to know what is most important for me at this moment. This strategy helps me set clear boundaries and create more space for me to focus my energy on being, having and doing what's truly meaningful for me.

Creating space for yourself is creating space for your Spirit. It is really not difficult at all, actually. Definitely not rocket science. In only requires your commitment to the key concept that you are an important person in your life.

When we make room for our Spirit, we make room for ourselves to remember who we are inside: joy-filled beings! We make room for grace, ease and light to be in our daily lives. We make room for being more in balance. Happiness is not just something that comes once in a while, but a state of being that comes from being in full and constant connection with our Divine Self.

Meditating, chanting or toning, praying, self-healing, doing yoga, dancing, listening to and playing music, painting, gardening, walking in nature, writing, reading, laughing and playing with your family or pets are examples of ways you can begin to create room for your Spirit to be part of your life. But, the best way for you is tailored just for you. Ask yourself, in a quiet and gentle way, "What makes my heart smile?" And listen for the unique way you can welcome your Spirit into your life.

Your unique way to make space for your Spirit can be very simple. A client came to me seeking help to create inner peace and relieve her anxiety. Her homework was to find time to nurture herself everyday. She wrote to me, "Instead of eating my toast in the car, I sat in our hammock and listened to the birds while I ate my toast. It only took five minutes but what a difference it made!"

Here are some of my own personal practices to make room for my Spirit:

Before I begin my day, rather than jump out of bed, I revel in the still quiet moments. If the birds are up, the day begins with exuberant joy and I revel in that, too!

After those gentle moments, I make an effort to connect with the Life force within me and ask: "How can I serve You today?" I let a word of guidance gently pop into my consciousness. I contemplate that word throughout the day to remind me throughout the day of how I can serve my Spirit.

Throughout the day, I make room for 5 minutes or so to just be and breathe. I watch the clouds go by, listen to the birds, adore the flowers I see, or just feel the wind on my face. These are some of my favorite times of the day!

At the end of day, I check in with myself: "What am I grateful for today?" I allow myself to bask in the glory of the soft glow of gratitude and joy.

I want to remind you of the "I am too busy, and I don't have enough time for me" trap. In reality, you can afford to make time for yourself even if you think you are super busy. Make a decision that there is enough time and you will have time for yourself. It is even more critical to remember to create space for your Spirit when you have a busy day. That 5 or 10 minutes you take to nourish yourself will serve you immensely.

When you make time for your Spirit, you will begin to express and experience more of your expansive and abundant Light in your life. When you create space for your Spirit, you will imbue your life with wonderful synchronicities. When you welcome your Self to be part of your daily life, you are graceful, at-ease and joyful!

Make the room for and open up to the magic of your Spirit!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Rumi Poem: A Garden Beyond Paradise

Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world. The forms may change,     yet the essence remains the same. Every wondrous sight will vanish, every sweet word will fade.     But do not be disheartened, The Source they come from is eternal— growing, branching out,     giving new life and new joy. Why do you weep?— That Source is within you, and this whole world     is springing up from it. The Source is full, its waters are ever-flowing;     Do not grieve,     drink your fill! Don't think it will ever run dry— This is the endless Ocean! From the moment you came into this world, a ladder was placed in front of you     that you might transcend it. From earth, you became plant, from plant you became animal. Afterwards you became a human being, endowed with knowledge, intellect and faith. Behold the body, born of dust—     how perfect ...

Giving Thanks to Your Body

(This article was first published in November 2007 Metta Center email newsletter.) In Taoism and Chinese Energy medicine, there is an exercise called "Inner Smile", where you smile at your inner organs. This exercise has a very practical purpose: self-acceptance and appreciation. This simple and gentle practice is very effective in balancing your meridian system and is very nourishing to your spirit. Here is a slightly different version of this exercise: Sit or lie comfortably. Alternatively, you can even do this exercise when you are walking or in the shower. Begin by taking several deep breaths, exhaling slowly. Allow yourself to recall the time someone extend a kindness to you and you can feel a sense of appreciation gently arising from within your heart-center. Noticing this feeling of appreciation, you bring your attention and extend this feeling to various parts of your body. Starting from the top of your head, bring your attention and appreciation to...

Eight Concepts of Healing

from "Woman As Healer" by Jeanne Achterberg Healing is a lifelong journey towards wholeness Healing is remembering what has been forgotten about connection, unity and interdepence among all things living and non-living Healing is embracing what is most feared Healing is opening what has been closed, softening what has hardened into obstruction Healing is entering into the transcendent, timeless moment when one experiences the divine Healing is creativity and passion and love Healing is seeking and expressing self in its fullness, its light and shadow, its male and female Healing is learning to trust life