Centering
The first practice for leading a spirit centered life is to learn balance in the inner self, so that the outer world can be observed from a perspective of truth. We have all had experiences of getting caught up in the events around us, and have experienced the pain of feeling at the effect of what is happening in our world. This pain is the natural result of giving our power away to the outer events which, in fact, have no real power. The true power lies within.
Listening
Listening is a spiritual practice that is sometimes overlooked in all of our days of doing and creating and conversing with each other. This spiritual practice is critical, however, in order to deepen the inner life and grow in a conscious awareness of truth. As a spiritual practice, listening takes on a new meaning from that used in our usual daily life, because here we mean not just listening to the general noise of the world, but rather listening with the heart.
Spiritual Mind Treatment
In Religious Science, we use a form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment. It is a scientific method of affirmative prayer that is done as a form of mental treatment to realize the health and happiness which are mankind’s normal and divine heritage. It works according to the laws of mind. We each share the One Mind and as we individually recognize and affirm the essential Goodness of Life, it reveals itself in our life. The five steps in Spiritual Mind Treatment are recognizing that there is a Being greater than everything, unifying yourself with that being, realizing that we have the power within our own mind to change our life, being grateful and thankful for the things we attain through prayer, and releasing the prayer to the Law and letting it manifest in our life.
Build your own Spiritual Mind Treatment using our online Interactive Treatment Builder.
Meditation
Nearly all great religions and many philosophies embrace meditation as one of the great practices for spiritual growth. A regular commitment to meditation is essential to spiritual living because it is certain to transform, soften, deepen and expand the consciousness of the inner realities of life in a profound way. Once these inner experiences occur, it is nearly impossible to return to old ways of living. Rather, the path becomes easier, clearer and more joyful. Set aside time every day for meditation. It will change your life.
Visioning
Through the spiritual practice of Visioning, we create a space of deep listening and awareness in order to fully embrace the Divine idea for our highest good. Visioning is an excellent tool for personal direction, ideas for spiritual community or any important project or life structure that we are presently engaged in. There is a spiritual prototype or Divine ideal for all that exists. Through Visioning, we make ourselves available to embrace the highest idea for our lives and work, in order that we may more completely experience and live the highest good.
Silence
When the lips are closed, there is room for the heart to speak. When the heart is silent, the great inner mystery of the spirit can blaze up and illuminate life. This is the secret that all mystics know, the keeping of Silence as a Spiritual Practice. In our busy lives, we often find no time for stillness, let alone Silence. And so the practice of occasional periods of silence reminds us that it is important to take time, to step back from the busyness of our lives, and rest. Our bodies and minds need regular periods of rest and refreshment, when nothing is planned and there is nothing to do. This gives us the opportunity to be with ourselves and to let the richness of the inner world restore our perspective.
