The Daily Retreat
The question of the week seems to be, “What can I do to spiritually awaken in 2014?”
So here you go…Over the next 10 weeks I’m going to share with you my top strategies for spiritual awakening in 2014.
Surprise!!! Not all of this is about sitting and meditating.
Spiritual awareness is so “in” right now!
2014 marks a time when we’re well on our way into a new way of thinking. A spiritual awakening is happening in the world, which means a spiritual awakening is happening within your world too!
People are realizing that living consciously is not only about feeling better now but paves the way for a brighter future.
Think about the routine things you do each day…
1. brush your teeth
2. take a shower
3. eat
4. etc.
Now it’s time to add something new. You are ready!
Why is the Daily Retreat #1?
If it wasn’t for my eyes having glossed over, I would’ve probably stayed on the computer for another hour. I had been staring at the computer for most of the day as I prepared my social media plan, looked for flights and studied for my Vedic counseling course.
Then, there it was…the realization that the front of my head was throbbing and had been for over an hour. I was so caught up in my responsibilities that I hadn’t taken a break.
It’s not that being responsible and taking care of business is wrong. It’s the fact that I had been going through the motions…completely unaware of how I was feeling. I was caught up in the to-do list and now had a headache.
Without knowing, this is how most of us go through most of our life. We brush our teeth. We eat breakfast. We walk to our car. We drive to work, and so on and so on and so on. We’re so caught up in the “soap opera of the mind” that we aren’t actually living that moment (e.g. the toothbrush on the teeth, taste of the food, etc.)…we are just going through the motions. This isn’t living.
What would the day have been like if I would’ve taken a short retreat? Would I have felt differently if I had planned a couple of 10-20 minute periods where I could close my eyes in silence and allow the stress to drift away? Here are a few more questions with answers based on my personal experience:
Would I have a headache? NO
Would I have gotten more work done (even though I took time away to meditate)? YES
Would I have enjoyed my studies more? YES
Would I have noticed more of the beauty around me as I was studying? YES
The Daily Retreat
A Daily Retreat allows you to drift away, relax and let go of the stress of life! It calms the nervous system and gives you a different perspective in your daily routine. And surprise…it actually allows you to be more efficient and get more done!
There are many different spiritual practices that can be a part of your daily retreat time. Here are some of the most common. Pick one or more strategies and start now.
1. Meditation: I recommend Heart Based Meditation which I offer for free with the purchase of a monthly package or as part of the Emotional Detox Program. I also offer free meditations to choose from at free meditation.
2. Healthy Breathing: Try alternate nostril breathing for 3-5 minutes
3. Prayer.
4. Music and Aroma: Sit with eyes closed and listen to some relaxing yoga/meditative music. For added enjoyment put some sandalwood, palo santo or lavender essential oil into a diffuser while you relax.
5. Walk in nature. I enjoy the beach out here in San Diego, but when back in Michigan I love to walk in the woods…even in the winter!!!
EXTRA: Think about how you feel when the hot shower hits your skin in the morning. At that instance, as you smile and enjoy the warmth, you are “in the moment”. Try spending more time in the moment by taking more time to chew and taste your food. Feel the toothbrush clean your teeth or choose other times during the day to “be in the moment”.
