serenity
The Choice To Stay In Your Peace And Joy
The other day I was sitting in a park surrounded by people. Some were sitting in chairs, looking up at the trees, seemingly in a state of pure relaxation, with no thoughts in their minds, just taking in the nature and sounds around them.
I felt a deep sense of peace and tranquillity, having just meditated before coming to the park. I had spread a blanket under my favourite oak tree with a book in my hand.
I looked around and saw a young family. The children were playing, throwing a ball back and forth, while the father was absorbed in his mobile phone. The mother was busy preparing a picnic, setting the table with a beautiful tablecloth. Eventually they settled down.
On the other side of the park was a lovely play area where families watched their children playing, climbing and jumping.
In the middle of the park, a group of young people were playing volleyball, being quite loud and using foul language. Their behaviour attracted everyone’s attention. The family preparing for the picnic decided to leave, put everything in their cars and drove off. Others sitting in deckchairs and some children in the play area also left.
The noisy volleyball group eventually attracted the attention of a police patrol. I overheard one of the officers reminding them of the ban on alcohol in public parks and urging them to be respectful of others, especially with small children around. Despite the warnings, they remained loud and disrespectful until they finally left.
Empower Your Day With A 5-Minute Morning Routine
Navigating modern life can be daunting these days, especially when juggling a business or career, family responsibilities, social commitments and personal and spiritual self-care (if there is any time left for such a ‘luxury’).
Some days can feel like an endless climb, a never-ending hamster wheel. But I have learned that even the smallest adjustments in your lifestyle can invoke the most profound changes.
A spiritual self-care strategy that has worked wonders for me is my simple five-minute morning routine. It has transformed not only my personal life but also my psychic practice in ways I never imagined.
As a passionate artist and psychic professional, I often found myself feeling a little overwhelmed and scattered. Many of my mornings used to be chaotic and my energy was often all over the place, typically setting a stressful tone for the rest of my day.
I was desperate for a change. I needed a way to stay centered, focused and productive without adding more time demands and complexity to my already busy schedule.
Then it hit me: why not try a quick morning routine designed to centre and ground me, cleanse and shield my energy, and set positive intentions for the day ahead?
The morning is a particularly powerful time to practice such a routine, I thought. How we start our day obviously sets the tone for the hours that follow. A positive, focused start, empowered by a mindful soul connection to Spirit and the Divine, can only set the stage for an empowering and fulfilling day, while a chaotic, disconnected start only leads to stress, inefficiency and negativity. So, I decided to give it a go and have not looked back since.
The Soulful Practice Of Kirtan Chanting
An ancient spiritual practice less known in the West has transformed my spiritual routine in recent years. It is known as kirtan a beautiful form of devotional chanting that originated in ancient India.
The term “kirtan” comes from Sanskrit and means “narrating, reciting, telling, describing” of an idea or story, particularly in a religious context. This enchanting practice weaves together music, meditation, chanting, and a deep sense of spiritual expression.
Kirtan is a central practice in the Bhakti Yoga tradition, which emphasizes love and devotion to a personal deity. It involves the repetitive chanting of mantras and divine names, traditionally in Sanskrit, accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.
Traditionally, kirtans focus on chanting the names of deities like Krishna, Rama, or Sita. The kirtan leader sings a line and the congregation responds, creating a rhythmic and melodic interplay that is both meditative and invigorating.
While Kirtan remains rooted in its spiritual origins, it has gained global popularity beyond India and the Bhakti tradition. As the practice of yoga has boomed worldwide, kirtan too has seen an immense rise in popularity. It’s a testament to the universal appeal and transformative power of this captivating practice.
Kirtan events and gatherings are known for being welcoming and inclusive, focusing on the shared experience of chanting rather than strict religious adherence. Unlike the typical musical experience in spiritual settings, kirtan invites everyone to participate in a soulful, call-and-response chanting that creates a profound connection to the divine and brings people closer together.
The Mystical Healing Properties Of Amethyst
Amethyst, an enchanting purple variety of quartz crystal, is celebrated not only for its stunning beauty but also for its powerful metaphysical properties.
Traditionally held in high regard as a spiritual and esoteric tool, this semi-precious gemstone is revered for its potent energy and versatile healing properties.
The captivating purple crystal is associated with the third eye and crown chakras, making it a powerful aid in enhancing spiritual awareness and deepening meditative states. Its calming presence also helps to quiet the mind, promoting a sense of inner peace and emotional balance, which is essential for spiritual growth and clarity.
Amethyst is also known for its protective qualities, shielding the user from negative energies and psychic attacks while fostering a connection to higher consciousness and universal wisdom. Whether used in meditation, healing rituals, or simply carried as a talisman, the amethyst serves as a trusted companion on the journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.
As a psychic practitioner, I’ve always felt a deep, almost magnetic affinity for amethyst in both my personal spiritual practice and my professional psychic work. This beautiful violet crystal has a calming energy that enhances my psychic awareness and helps me achieve a sense of inner serenity for connecting with the spiritual realm.
When I hold Amethyst, I feel a heightened sense of clarity and insight, as if the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is gently lifted. Its calming energy helps me stay centered during readings, allowing me to channel messages with greater precision and compassion.
Finding Your Silent Space Within
Finding our silent space within is the essential spiritual practice. Cultivating a sense of inner stillness, mindfulness, and presence is crucial to any spiritual, metaphysical, or esoteric practice, as it allows for a deeper connection to your higher self, the universe, and the divine.
The silent space within is the inner connection point to our spirit or soul — the part of our being that is eternal and transcendent. This relationship is fundamental to most spiritual, religious, and esoteric traditions, which often describe the silent space within as a portal or bridge to a deeper understanding and connection with the soul, the divine, or the universal consciousness.
In many traditions, cultivating the silent space within is considered essential to achieving enlightenment or spiritual liberation — the realization of one’s true nature as soul or spirit, beyond physical and mental limitations. This realization of inner silence is our awakening to the eternal aspect of our being.
A concept used in various spiritual, meditative, and mindfulness practices, the notion of a silent space within symbolizes the inner sanctuary where one can retreat to find inner peace and strength, clarity, and a sense of centeredness, regardless of external circumstances. It is where we feel a deeper connection to something greater than ourselves, which is central to any spiritual path.
Daily Practices That Give Me Inner Peace
Finding moments of quiet and spiritual renewal is more important than ever in today’s world, where we are constantly bombarded with information.
A spiritual self-care routine empowers us and increases our energy. It acts as an anchor, grounding us and providing stability and calm in the ebb and flow of life.
Over the years, I have developed certain daily practices that I find most effective for keeping me focused on my personal goals, to ensure my spiritual grounding and energetic well-being in the midst of daily challenges and sometimes chaos.
Morning Meditation
I like to start my day with a mindfulness meditation to establish a foundation of calm for the day ahead. It prevents a potential onslaught of stress and anxiety and replaces it with a peaceful heart and clear mind.
Spending a few moments each morning sitting in silence allows me to connect with my inner self and establish peace and intention. For me, this practice isn’t just about closing my eyes and sitting still; it’s an opportunity to observe my thoughts without judgment, to find clarity and calm, and to center my mind.
Transform Your Chores Into Moments Of Zen
I recently had to find my “inner zen” when I had to file my taxes in person. Even though I was really, really not in the mood and not looking forward to it at all, I decided to make the most of this dreaded chore by practicing a time-tested spiritual technique of just being present in the moment. This attitude made my day so much easier and more fulfilling.
As I waited in line at the tax office, I couldn’t help but overhear a less than happy man ranting in one of the booths. I felt bad because, well, we are all human and this is about paying taxes, for goodness sake! We can hardly blame others for reacting this way. I mean, who really enjoys doing their taxes?
But I think it’s better to stay calm and carry on, because in the end everything will be fine. Having a “panic attack” or “hissy fit” like the guy in that booth won’t change the situation, except to make it worse. I know from experience that keeping an inner calm always wins the day.
If you have to deal with a chore or task that you are not looking forward to, try to embrace it and immerse yourself in the experience rather than making it worse by creating a lot of resistance around it. There is a lot of ancient wisdom in “being present in the now.” It is no accident that this concept is rooted in various spiritual traditions and teachings throughout history, as it points to a universal truth that is essential for spiritual living and personal well-being.