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Spiritual Paths by George McLaird

Entrances Onto Spiritual Paths

By Rev. George McLaird, Pastor Emeritus, Sausalito Presbyterian Church

The goal of this article is to: 1) Help you identify and/or clarify your spiritual path; 2) ignite and/or reignite your dedication for spiritual living.

What follows is a list of practices that people have found useful for nourishing themselves spiritually. Self-love, self-care and self-soothing are essential parts of spiritual nourishing. But before we can effectively care for others, we must first take loving care of our self. Performing “random acts of kindness” toward ourselves first enables us to reach out effectively to help others later.

Replacing unhealthy self-soothing with healthy self-soothing is mandatory. Without healthy self-soothing practices in place, long-term spiritual health is impossible. Unhealthy self-soothing includes all addictions: alcoholic drinking, prescription and illegal drugs, dysfunctional and destructive thinking, speaking and acting. Cutting, burning, hair pulling, sadism and masochism, all extreme overs (eating, spending) and unders (eating, hoarding), etc. The spiritual practices listed here are examples of healthy self-soothing.

The definition of spiritual in this list includes anything that promotes or enhances physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health, peace of mind, inspiration, renewal, engagement with the Divine, empowerment, awe, purpose in life, expansion of thought, imagination, compassion or similar responses or thoughts. Ethical behavior and service to others are essential ingredients in the practice of authentic and healthy Spirituality. The lower spiritual paths are identified by the presence of fear, guilt, shame, dogma, and the control of believers by a higher authority (clergy, sacred writings and traditions) accompanied by the demand of parochial conversion. Cults are not authentic religious or spiritual paths. They are counterfeit pretenders and confining prisons where domination and submission rule and usually do so, with iron fists. The higher spiritual paths are recognized by the presence of authentic (i.e., not induced but flowing naturally) love and joy, lightheartedness, inclusiveness and open-mindedness toward all other authentic spiritual paths. Further evidence of being on the spiritual path and the goal of Spiritual living is the presence of authentic love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our life.

Choosing your Spiritual Path

Finding our spiritual path is similar to discovering our favorite foods, restaurants, vocation, vacations, special interests, music, hobbies and passions. That is, we try numerous things and eventually we find what is satisfying to us. One size fits all might be clothing manufacturers dream come true but such an approach is wrought with problems and would account for many people being poorly dressed. Within most religions, there are believers who claim their approach to spirituality is the only correct one for every human on earth. This is theological – egotism and a very short sighted view. Today, we are fortunate to be able to access nearly every spiritual path on the planet. Simply because a particular religion or spiritual path is very popular does not mean that it is right for you. Look around, speak with people who have found their way and continue searching and experimenting and practicing until you find the spiritual discipline that feeds your body, mind and spirit.

A List of Spiritual Paths, Disciplines, Approaches and Alternatives

Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy

A willingness to learn and grow

Abstinence

Affirmations:

Today will be one of the best days of my life. Today will be one of the most creative days of my life. I deserve every good thing that comes my way. I deserve to be healthy and happy. I am on the spiritual path that brings me great joy, peace of mind and self-control. I am healthy in every possible way. I am always at the right place at the right time successfully engaged in the right activity. I have everything I need to live my life successfully.

Attending classes, workshops, worship, and other positive activities

Becoming a master at something

Being an impeccable warrior (doing each thing as if it was your last act on earth)

Chanting

Confessing

Creating Sacred space, a home altar, a meditation room and a place for reminders

Creating a totem pole, an individual great seal or tartan.

Creating healthy rituals

Dancing (Liturgical & Shamanistic)

Drawing/painting/sculpting/photography or other artistic endeavor

Drumming

Engaging in a hobby or pass time that makes you smile.

Fasting

Following a twelve-step or other therapeutic path

Follow the Path of No Path

Go on a mission

Listening

Make a pilgrimage

Making goal posters for your spiritual goals

Observing: http://hubblesite.org/

Participating in a community

Participating in retreats

Participating in Shamanistic rituals

Paying attention to both day and night dreams

Practice forgiving

Practice Meditation

Practice one of the martial arts

Practice Self-loving and Self-caring

Practice Silence

Practice the presence of God

Practice yoga

Practice your spiritual path within a faith-based community

Pray

Pursue happiness

Reading

Reminding yourself

Repenting

Seek awe

Seek balance

Seek Sanctuaries

Seek solitude

Seek truth – love truth

Service — giving time, talent and treasure

Singing

Study holy writings and scriptures

Study a Master

Study with a Master

Study with a spiritual coach or life coach

Telling the truth

Therapeutic writing

Write your own obituary—twice

My Spiritual Path/practice features:

Service

Meditation

Listening to music

Writing

Repeating affirmations

Reading

WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL PATH?

Who we are

What we do

Explore Further

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