Saturday, 16 December 2017

Ordinary Contemplative Practices That Will Transform Your Life

By Harold Bailey


The thought of a contemplative life might pass as a boring one only reserved for monks or some elite with a utopia mentality. However, contemplative practices are open to all and have a profound effect on the life of those who take them up. You do not need a monastery or going off to some island at a distant land. Here are daily engagements that will have a tremendous positive effect on your life.

Journal writing is one of the activities that passes as ordinary. However, as you scribble in the journal, you reflect on the events of your day. These reflections help you to discern the ups and downs and also make amends alongside chatting a better path in life. The journal does not have to be detailed or for publication. Remember that these are personal reflections that will change your life.

Daily rituals will get you into the reflective ream of life. Consider such ordinary activities as establishing a corner that is sacred or personal space. Such a space will give you that feeling of calmness. Participate in spiritually organized ceremonies and schedule regular retreats. These are events that will tune your mind and leave you with a clearer picture of life.

Movement is an incredible way of reflecting or getting in touch with your center. There are numerous movement options including dance, yoga, ta-i chi and labyrinth walking, among others. They get you into a routine of discipline and push your body to be better. You may also take a walking meditation to the park or a place where you can achieve the level of stillness desired.

Build relationships in an effort to achieve stillness. These relationships are with people who are close to you and do not involve any extraordinary engagements. You may take up the art of story telling where the focus is on virtues or be a good listener. Engaging in deep dialogues is another option you need to consider. Join counsel circles where the aspiration is a better society and your reflective side will be awakened.

Activism is an effective way to engage in contemplation and thus be a better person. It delivers a centering effect that gets to your mind and soul. Activists envision a better world when they participate in vigils and marches aimed and pushing for a better world. Volunteering will also deliver the desired stillness besides witnessing goodness through your actions to the environment and people around you.

Creativity enables you to concentrate and bring out your ideas for the world to see. Some of the avenues of achieving stillness through creativity include art that is reflective. It may be a drawing, collage or sculpture that depicts your desired life. You may also sing or create artistic figures or even participate in an exhibition. It is one of the ways of actualizing what you have imagined.

The act of reflection or contemplating will enable you to be still and contemplate on life. Engage in centering activities, silence and meditation to achieve the desired insights. This will make you more aware of your environment, self and most importantly potential. With improved self awareness, you will better interact with people around you and your general environment.




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