Everyday Spiritual Practice


Book Description

Have you wondered, "How do I integrate my heartfelt beliefs into my daily life?" Nearly 40 contributors address this creative dilemma and share their discoveries. Creating a home altar, practicing martial arts, fasting, quilting -- these are just some of the ways they've found to make every day more meaningful and satisfying.




Every Day Spirit


Book Description

In this uplifting and transformational book, spiritual teacher Mary Davis shares daily reflections, inspiring quotes, practices, prayers and meditations that fill your heart with encouragement, joy and inner peace. With a page for each day of the year, this gentle book will become a companion and a wise teacher that takes you on a spiritual journey of finding joy and gratitude in simple things, peace and comfort even in the midst of chaos, and a deeper love for others through kindness, compassion and service. Written during a year of solitude in the isolation of a cabin, Mary's poetic gift with words, loving guidance, humor and heart will feed your soul and have you looking forward to each day's reading. Every Day Spirit is packed with spiritual wisdom, making it a road map to a more meaningful and fulfilling life – and a reminder to slow down and notice the blessings. It's the perfect gift for yourself...and anyone in need of inspiration, hope, comfort and wisdom.




Life Beyond Belief


Book Description

Learn how everyday life can be your most vital spiritual practice, no matter what your religion or tradition. This book crosses all of the spiritual and religious boundaries through the commonality of our everyday experience. It is a deeply personal book giving a down-to-earth account of the experience of spiritual awakening and the process of bringing awakening into each moment.




Everyday Spirituality


Book Description

Frustrated with traditional approaches to spirituality? Feeling guilty about not following a regimented devotional practice? Wishing there were a way you could embrace God in your everyday life? This book offers a way forward. Rather than prescribe another attempt at daily devotional readings, written prayers and scheduled moments of quiet meditation, Everyday Spirituality expresses the truth that much of what we already do in life is, in fact, spiritual. · Walking· Cooking· Laughing· Sleeping· Moving· Spending· . This book is an accessible introduction to an ancient yet new way of thinking and being in the world. Rather than dividing spiritual life apart from daily life, Everyday Spirituality helps the reader realize that they do as connected to God, the sacred, the holy.




In the Midst of Chaos


Book Description

How the daily practices of life with children can shape our faith In the Midst of Chaos explores parenting as spiritual practice, building on Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore's fresh conceptions of children from her book Let the Children Come. She questions conventional perceptions that spiritual practices require silence, solitude, and uninterrupted prayer and that assume a life unburdened by care of others. She is both honest about the difficulties and attentive to the blessings present in everyday life and demonstrates that the life of faith encompasses children and the adults who care for them. Miller-McLemore explores how parents might use seven daily practices, such as play, reading, chores, and saying goodbye or goodnight as rich opportunities to shape both parent and child morally and spiritually. Through these experiences, she shows how the very care of children forms and reforms the faith of adults themselves, contrary to the belief that adults must form children. In the Midst of Chaos also goes beyond the typical focus on individual self-fulfillment by tackling difficult questions of social justice and mutuality in the ways families live together. Readers will find in this book an invitation to love those around them in the midst of life's craziness and to live more deeply in grace.




Everyday Herbs in Spiritual Life


Book Description

Enhance and enrich your spiritual journey with the power of herbs. Herbs have been essential to spiritual beliefs and practices throughout time and history. From Christian Scripture to Hindu observances, Jewish ritual to early Islamic literature, Native American traditions to Buddhist symbolism, plants are seen as a blessing from God and a way to remain in harmony with Spirit. In this fun, informative and engaging guide, you will be delighted by the history of the religious and spiritual use of herbs in many faith traditions and inspired by creative ideas on how to use herbs for spiritual growth. Unique and soul-strengthening activities can teach you how to: Create herbal art inspired by your faith Craft herbal wreaths, pillows and soaps from herbs selected for their spiritual qualities Prepare herbal teas, infused oils, meals and condiments with herbs chosen for their ability to nurture, strengthen and heal Make candles infused with herbs that promote balance and centering Nourish the soul with herbal sachets and potpourri Use incense and smudge sticks to imbue clarity and purity Design a simple herb garden of plants chosen from among different spiritual traditions Construct spaces in which to use herbs for reflection and meditation




The Sacred Way


Book Description

Broaden your spiritual horizons.How has spirituality changed in the last 500, 1,000, or even 2,000 years? How can ancient approaches to faith help my relationship with God today?In The Sacred Way, popular author and speaker Tony Jones mines the rich history of 16 spiritual disciplines that have flourished throughout the ages and offers practical tips for implementing them in your daily life. Find encouragement and challenge through time-tested disciplines such as:•Silence and solitude •The Jesus prayer•Meditation•PilgrimageExplore these proven approaches to deepening your faith. As you do, your way of living your spiritual life will never be the same.




Working in the Presence of God


Book Description

How do we invite God into our everyday lives? Working in the Presence of God discusses the incorporation of spiritual disciplines into the ordinary rhythms of everyday experience. God is already present and active, so by becoming aware of workday rhythms and focusing on where various spiritual practices might be implemented in our jobs, we can be transformed into Christs likeness through our work. We often think of spiritual practices as preparation for our regular lives; in comfortable spaces and ideal settings, we set aside time to hear from God. But what if we can engage in these practices in the midst of our regular lives, and particularly at work? This transformation takes place when we surrender our working lives to God, begin to hear his voice, accept his pleasure, and allow his guidance at work. The spiritual practices outlined in the book include: • The Liturgy of Commute • Workplace as Holy Ground • Surrendering the Calendar • Reading Scripture in Your Workspace • Affirmation of Calling • Gratitude for Gods Blessing and Celebrating Success at Work • Confession at Work • Lamenting Work • Solitude: Working in Gods Presence • Prayer of Examen for Work • Sabbath: Ceasing from Work




Ordinary Magic


Book Description

Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns—those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. This inspiring book reveals how the simple practice of mindfulness can be a magical and transformative part of anyone's daily life. Thirty-five wide-ranging essays written by well-known spiritual teachers, therapists, and creative artists show how learning to focus awareness can bring a new richness to ordinary activities; how mindfulness can heighten creative pursuits such as painting, journal writing, or playing music; how contemplative awareness enhances both physical and psychological well-being; and how meditation can contribute to better relationships with family, community, and the world at large.




The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions


Book Description

Bring your everyday life into alignment with your aspirational values through Mussar, a thousand-year-old Jewish practice of spiritual growth based on mindful living. Perfect for anyone, regardless of age or experience, this comprehensive book presents thirteen soul traits—ranging from humility and gratitude to trust and honor—and the simple daily actions you can take to develop them. Drawing on universal principles and providing grounded instruction, The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions helps you explore soul traits through daily techniques and exercises, including mantras, mindful observation, and journaling. Nurture your spirit with inspiring stories and build a soul trait profile to better understand yourself. By dedicating two weeks of practice to each trait, you'll see major changes in how you approach the world and feel empowered to be your best self. Praise: "The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions opens wide the doors to a traditional Jewish spiritual practice that has the power to transform your life."—Alan Morinis, Dean, The Mussar Institute and author of Everyday Holiness "Weaving ancient wisdom with twenty-first-century circumstances, Greg Marcus beautifully presents how the teachings of Mussar can bring you a deeper sense of purpose and a better life."—Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and creator of The Making of a Mensch