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.

Relationship building is an effective way to achieve stillness. Some of the activities that will enhance your relationships and deliver the stillness required include telling stories about virtues, listening deeply and engaging in reflective dialogues. You may also want to join counsel circles that enable you to aspire for great things, not only for you but the society as well.

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.

Meditation in itself is a way to achieve stillness. This includes participating in centering activities where you actually push your spirit into searching for stillness. It creates awareness of your environment and thus allows you to better interact with the surrounding. This will raise your potential and make you more aware of what you can achieve. It is a rewarding experience especially when you really connect with your surrounding.




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