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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.

A lot of people have journals in the form of diaries where they record every day events. What is unknown to many is that noting down the occurrences of every day gives you an opportunity to discern. You will chat a new path as you endeavor to amend what you think has gone wrong or could be better. You do not need a detailed journal but only reflections of what your daily encounters taught you about life.

There are ritual or routine activities that will help you reflect. They include creating personal space or establishing a sacred corner. You may also have a scheduled retreat or participate in ceremonies that are based on cultural or spiritual organization. These events tune your mind to reflect and thus leave the mind with a clearer vision.

Movement has a relaxing or centering effect. Some of the common movement ideas include dance, tai-i chi, labyrinth walking and yoga, among others. These movements insist on a sense of discipline and obedience to routine. Walk at the park or such serene places with the aim of achieving quietness.

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 has a contemplative impact on the mind, body and soul of participants. Remember that activism is aimed at changing the world to become a better place. Some of the activist activities you can participate in include vigils and marches, attending pilgrimages and volunteering. When you bear witness to life changing incidences, either verbally or through your actions. The courses of activism must be towards a better world.

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.

Actual contemplation will also bring you close to inner stillness. There are centering activities that help you reflect alongside the search for silence through mediation. You are more aware of the environment and can interact with it better in order to improve your potential. With greater awareness of self, interactions with people are stronger and more rewarding. You will be in synch with your surrounding.




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