5 Ways to Be More Spiritual This Year

There’s a wealth of knowledge inside you. You just have to listen.

2016 was a year filled with challenges, magic, and unexpected twists and turns. But throughout all the hardships, I was becoming someone new. I was seeing patterns of behavior I had chosen to ignore in the past. I was noticing my flaws. I was being with myself…the good, the bad, and the ugly. I was pushed out of my comfort zone, and I was liking it. I was turning a new page and standing up for myself. I was finding my true path and no one and nothing was going to stop me.

As tough as the year was, I am grateful for every moment because it led me to creating a spiritual practice that has opened my eyes to the universe. Creating a spiritual practice is highly individual and every person is different. But I believe having a daily, weekly, or monthly practice is so critical to finding yourself.

Here are 5 ways to build a spiritual practice and be more spiritual in 2017:

1. Tune In to Your Soul

You can read as many spiritual books as you like or go on unlimited yoga retreats, but if you don’t give yourself time to listen to your soul, it will all be for nothing. Take moments out of your day to be quiet and still. Tune in. Listen to your body. What is your body saying? Maybe you are working too hard, or you are carrying stress. Perhaps you’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Listen to your inner voice. What is it saying? Are you happy? Are you on the right path? The truth is, all the answers you seek externally are actually inside of you. A daily meditation practice is the key to finding your spiritual path. If you have never meditated before, just try to be quiet and still for 5 minutes in the morning before you start your day. You can sip on some tea or coffee or just lay in your bed with your eyes closed. Try to clear all thoughts from your mind and just let any intuitive messages come through. The more you practice being mindful and still, the easier it will become to tune in to your soul.

2. Try An Ancient Spiritual Practice

Over the last five years, I have been blessed to try all kinds of beautiful spiritual practices. The first practice that truly awakened my spirituality was a Reiki massage, which is an ancient Japanese practice that involves moving energy through your body. This healing technique is “administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.” After getting a few massages, you might be inspired to become a Reiki practitioner (like I was) and receive training. The first time I received a Reiki attunement, I felt myself awakening to a deep, divine knowledge that I feel like I always knew. My third eye opened and I was able to get int touch with my intuitive side. I highly recommend Reiki for anyone interested in exploring their own spiritual path.

The second practice that awakened my spirituality was a Shirodhara massage. This ancient Ayurvedic technique has been used for centuries to promote healing and relaxation. Shirodhara “derives from two Sanskrit words: shiro and dhara. Shiro means head and dhara means to flow. It involves the warm and consistent flow of aromatic oils on the forehead, specifically on the ‘third eye’. This is the chakra point just above and between the eyebrows. It is said to be the seat of human consciousness. The oils are allowed to flow over the scalp and through the hair, creating a blissful sensation.” The first time I experienced this massage, I was instantly transported to a state of bliss or nirvana. It was like all the troubles of the world disappeared and I was hovering above my body. I was truly connecting to my soul. Find a spa that specializes in all Ayurvedic treatments to be sure you are receive a quality massage.

3. Spend Time in Nature

Every day I try to spend a few minutes in the grass. It doesn’t sound like much, but we live in such a high-paced world. The rythm of the earth is slow and steady, like a heartbeat. And when we spend time listening to the heartbeat, breathing, finding calm, feeling the earth beneath our feet, we are tapping into the Great Spirit. It doesn’t matter what religion or non-religion you follow, we all have been created to live on mother earth, and thus we must take time to connect with her and respect her. If you are feeling edgy, anxious, or stressed, try to take your shoes off and walk the earth barefoot. There is no way to feel more spiritually connected to the planet than to step onto the earth with your bare feet.

4. Create a Retreat in Your Home

Our homes are our sanctuaries, the place we go to rest, relax, and be ourselves. This is why it is important to have a place in your home that is just for you. A place that you can go to retreat from the world. For me, this place is my backyard under the beautiful frangipani tree. Here, I lay out my yoga mat, I play some nice relaxing music and I look up at the birds in the trees. For other people, it might be your den, or your office room, or your living room. Wherever it is, take a look at it this year and re-arrange it so that it is clear of clutter and arranged to make you feel blissful and calm. This is your sanctuary! Use some feng-shui and make the place look as beautiful as you are.

5. Ask For It, Then Believe It

I tell my yoga students all the time that the key part to having a spiritual life is one word: belief. What do you believe? Where is your faith? On my spiritual path, I have found that it is important to believe in two things: your higher self (which is connected to the Divine, the Universe, God, or whatever you like to call it), and your physical self (you, your body, your spirit). That is to say, I believe in God and I believe in myself. Therefore, when I ask the Universe to manifest my desires, I know that the key ingredient in getting what I desire is believing in it. Put in your order to the universe and then believe that the universe will deliver it for you. Time and time again, I hear people focusing on their desires but forgetting to focus on their belief. It’s all well to ask for something, but if your heart doesn’t believe it, then why should the universe go to work for you?

In 2015, as you build your spiritual practice, remember that your beliefs hold weight. Your beliefs are powerful. Your thoughts are powerful. Be careful with them. Be gentle with yourself. Navigate your thoughts and beliefs to be in line with your spirit. You will see how quickly things begin to shift when you have faith on your side.

Enjoy 2017. You deserve it!

About the Author

Suki Eleuterio is a creative spirit, author and speaker. She is the founder of Found My Light, and the creative mind behind her blog Sookton.com. You can follow her musings on Twitter and Instagram.