What are the keys to spiritual growth? These 12 things work best

If you feel stuck in life, yet you are aware that true change starts from within, you are probably wondering – what are the keys to spiritual growth?

So, to make the process more efficient, and your life more enjoyable, we have created a coherent list of advice. Let’s get that stale energy moving!

1) Inhale/Exhale

Mindfulness can help you improve almost every area of your life.

The easiest and provenly efficient way to practice mindfulness is meditation. One of the latest research studies conducted in 2020 focused on the benefits of meditation in times of crisis. The research showed that meditation reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and worry.

The other small-scale study conducted in Oregon showcased that meditation can ease the symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the impact of depression while improving mood and functional capacity.

Even though meditation has numerous variations and definitions, we will simply define it as a practice of conscious breathing. By practicing it regularly, you can boost your spiritual growth and emotional health immensely.

Therefore, focus your attention on breathing every morning for at least 3-5 minutes before grabbing your phone, and see what happens.

2) Befriend your diary

Keeping your thoughts and feelings in check is way easier when journaling.

You can do it in a digital format, or you can buy a notebook and embark upon this truth-revealing journey.

By journaling regularly, you will get a closer look at your thought and emotional patterns. That insight will help you to find adequate solutions to issues that used to seem impossible to solve.

Furthermore, journaling can help you improve existing connections with friends, family, coworkers, and emotional partners.

Instead of venting to them most of the time, you will have more time for fun, creative, and inspiring conversations. And, you will become a better listener.

On the other hand, you will get more comfortable with the idea of doing nothing special when around loved ones. Talk about nothing in particular. Enjoy each other’s presence without much being said.

Moreover, when your thoughts and feelings are not clogged, the energy flows undisturbed. That way, you will start seeing a bigger picture, become more compassionate, understanding, and calm. You will empathize with others more easily.

And instead of a flow of anxious thoughts and feelings, you will get access to the more inspiring, creative ones.

3) Feel the nature vibes

By simply observing nature you can learn a lot about life and the world itself.

Therefore, if you want to feel more grounded, patient, and humble, organize your activities whenever you can in natural environments.

It is said that spending only 30 minutes per day in nature can significantly improve your cognitive abilities, emotional receptivity, and mood. Therefore, soak in the magical energy that nature selflessly offers to each of us.

You will notice that the energy of your body will flow more freely, you will feel more relaxed and in tune with your inner voice.

4) Don’t buy into toxic spirituality

Another key to spiritual growth? Don’t buy into toxic spirituality!

But, how do you know if your spiritual beliefs are toxic? Answer this:

Are you tired of hearing the same message when it comes to spirituality?

Are you exhausted from trying to always be the best version of yourself, of always trying to be positive?

Or are you sick of feeling disconnected from others who may not be as spiritually aware as you are?

If so, there’s the reason why:

You’ve been sold toxic spirituality.

Don’t feel bad about it though, so many of us have fallen into this trap. Including the shaman Rudá Iandé.

In this incredible free video, Rudá explains how his initial approach to spirituality did more harm than good. Now, with over 30 years in the field of spirituality, he hopes his experience can help others avoid the same mistakes.

So what makes Rudá trustworthy? How do you know you won’t get more of the same toxic crap?

Well, Rudá isn’t going to tell you how to practice your spirituality. Instead, he’s going to give you the tools to find empowerment from within.

Every exercise in the video will put you back in touch with your core self, step by step.

So if you’re ready to take that step, click here to watch the free video.

It’s never too late to bust the toxic spirituality myths you’ve mistaken for the truth.

5) Move your body

Physical activity is necessary for our well-being.

Whether you are looking to support your spiritual growth, or you are looking to ease anxiety and sleep better – exercise can help.

In fact, the results of working out happen right after you finish a session. Working out regularly provides you with both immediate and long-term benefits.

Immediate benefits are reduced anxiety in adults, better blood flow which improves concentration and focus, and a moderate feeling of joy due to a completed task.

Long-term benefits, on the other hand, relate to physical strength, prevention of multiple diseases, lower levels of depression and anxiety, and better sleep.

Therefore, taking the time of your week to exercise will benefit all areas of your life.

6) Treat yourself

Choose the food that nourishes your body and soul and go for healthier variations whenever possible.

Yes, that means you should slow down with candies and treats. Also, ensure you drink more water along with some healthy mixtures.

Give your body the fuel it deserves, and it will respond to you with gratitude.

The way you eat will impact your energy levels, therefore, your actions. There are so many diet plans out there, and you should choose the one that suits your lifestyle, budget, and health condition.

Consult your doctor beforehand, check your overall health, and then create a winning diet plan. The one that will make your everyday life joyful and fun.

7) Count your blessings

Acknowledge the good things you have in life. Feel the gratitude flowing through your body.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that gratitude increased an athlete’s self-esteem, which is crucial for optimal performance.

Although, keep in mind that practicing gratitude doesn’t mean you should suppress sadness, or feelings of lack of any kind.

Rather, use time when you are relaxed to practice. Mornings are ideal for this practice because you are in a neutral state of mind.

So, for a couple of seconds feel free to stop and count your blessings.

By focusing your energy and attention towards loving feelings, you will naturally get inspired to do something good.

You will appreciate others more.

Because when we value ourselves, we can feel happy about other people’s accomplishments.

8) Wake up your inner child

Play. Never forget to play.

Find each day at least 15 minutes when you can play and be free.

That can be sudoku, puzzle, DIY project, acting, meme creating, joke writing, instrument playing, or doing something no one has ever done before in the field of having fun.

Be that crazy friend everyone dreams of having. The one that lifts others, the one that believes in the power of playfulness, the one that lights up the room and makes everybody giggle.

Be that friend for you. Surprise yourself with your goofiness and imagination. Remember the games you used to adore and recreate them.

Don’t evaluate yourself, the game, or the time you are spending.

Create a safe space for your inner child. There is nothing more soothing and healing than acting freely. Knowing how to play is knowing how to live, how to relax, and unwind.

Playing teaches us that we should never take things too seriously. Who would’ve thought that so much wisdom can lie in something so lighthearted and free?

9) Get creative

The creative process is something deeply personal and it is unique for everyone. When we wake up our inner poet, artist, musician, or a designer, we get in touch with the mysterious force that resides in all of us, yet is far bigger than we are.

We tune into the realm of the unknown. Therefore, getting creative is like embarking on an adventure of a lifetime.

So, here is how creativity can benefit you:

  • You will feel like life became more fun
  • You will get more and more imaginative as the time goes by
  • You will feel more productive
  • You will get to believe in your personal power to create something out of nothing
  • You will improve your focus as creating requires undivided attention

When you dive into creating, you have to break out from the reality of the world we live in.

Therefore, by surrendering time and time again to your creative impulses that ask to be unleashed, it becomes easier to connect with the life force that makes everything possible.

After all, that is what a spiritual practice is focused upon.

10) Give back to the community

From volunteering to committing to raise money for a specific charity, or simply donating clothes – benefits associated with giving can include:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Less stress
  • Longer life
  • Greater happiness and satisfaction

In terms of spiritual growth, giving back is truly essential. When we focus our attention towards others with an intention to help we do something incredible.

First, we release the tension of constant inward attention that can easily turn into a negative thought process. Therefore, when we give that attention to someone in need, we feel more worthy, there is a feeling of helper’s high.

We raise our energy levels, help the other person, plus we create a stronger bond with that specific human being, or the community we live in (depending on the action). We empathize, we connect, we learn and grow.

Through altruistic actions, we truly experience that there is something bigger than ourselves and that by giving we can feel like a part of that community.

11) Practice letting go

Letting go primarily requires that you step back from a painful experience.

Then, you should observe and notice what is going on in our mind. By slowly observing what is going on with our thoughts and feelings, we are instantly lowering tension.

Stress levels, anxiety, and depression almost disappear in the state of pure observation. To practice observation, you should definitely consider practicing mindfulness through meditation, which is the first tool from our list.

Consequently, over time the ability to observe our mind means that we can develop a certain curiosity about our experience. This is a huge step because we will leave the stage of thinking our thoughts and feelings to be “the truth”.

So, by noticing where our mind wanders, how it is related to certain painful thoughts, feelings or memories again and again, then refocusing on the present moment, we are practicing the art of letting go.

The entire process involves both acceptance of what we think and feel but also a conscious effort to refocus our awareness on another experience.

By learning the art of letting go, we learn to accept the concept that goes beyond our microcosmos, we open ourselves for higher truths and internal growth.

12) Forgive

Some experiences are more difficult than others, they require professional medical advice, more time, and patience. Therefore, in case of certain traumatic experiences, the process of forgiving and letting go should be guided by a licensed professional.

However, when we speak about everyday situations that we as humans experience, the process of forgiveness should go a bit easier.

But first – what is forgiveness?

The definition of this concept both in psychology and spirituality is almost the same.

Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

Before we step into forgiveness, we should observe the possible downside of holding a grudge for too long.

This is what holding a grudge for too long can do to you and your life in general:

  • Infuse every new relationship with anger and bitterness
  • Forget about joy of everyday life
  • Become depressed or anxious
  • Feel that your life lacks meaning
  • Feel disconnected from your own spiritual beliefs
  • Lose genuine and enriching relationships with other people

Spiritual growth happens when we deeply understand ourselves and others. It is all about acceptance and overcoming. When we overcome obstacles with other people and re-center ourselves, our hearts become peaceful and filled with love.

Here is how you can undertake the journey of forgiveness and enrich your life:

  • Reflect and remember. Give yourself a moment to see how the things that have happened and the anger you feel are impacting your life right now
  • Try to understand the other person or the group, what were their motives, intentions, past experiences
  • Forgive deeply. Humanize as much as it is possible the entire experience, do it for yourself
  • Don’t expect the apology in return, the forgiveness is a gift you give yourself
  • Make it a decision. Write down who you forgive and what you forgive for, it will make the entire process more meaningful and powerful.
  • Forgive yourself. If someone did you wrong, understand that is not a reflection of your worth.

Once you liberate your soul from the burden of anger, hatred, resentment, you will feel like you are reborn. Moreover, by forgiving someone deeply, you will inevitably experience tremendous spiritual growth.

Carpe diem

Spiritual growth is a never-ending process.

Therefore, don’t obsess over results, because there is no final destination.

Get in tune with your feelings, accept both sunny and rainy days, and practice feeling more comfortable in your skin.

Indulge in each day, explore yourself, your soul, and the world around you.

Have fun!

Tiffany Mcgee

Tiffany Mcgee

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