Last weekend I enjoyed attending a “Women’s Spirituality Conference” in Rochester, MN. I have attended this annual conference many times in the past and gather lots of helpful/enlightening spiritual information.
The Women and Spirituality Conference is a multi-faith gathering to celebrate diversity, spiritual experience and healing. Whether one has interested in social justice as an expression of our faith, contemplative spiritual practice or exploring different traditions, this conference offers many learning options.
One such break-out session I attended was ‘5 Keys to Spiritual Growth’ where some amazing keys to enhance our lives were shared:
1. Find the secret to living a joyful life. Joy = Love. Cheesy? Sure. But it’s also true. Research has found, quite convincingly, that joyful people are those with love and gratitude in their lives.
The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like, therefore, when we’re grateful for what we already have, we will naturally attract more for which you can be grateful.
However, many people find that it requires much persistence to cultivate an ongoing attitude of appreciation. That’s because we’ve been culturally conditioned to focus on what we don’t have, rather than appreciating what we’ve already received or achieved.
To help combat this conditioning–let’s begin each day with a gratitude journal (while reigning the throne or whatever works), thereby attracting more love, joy and abundance into our lives all year long.
2. Discover a way to enliven our daily life–in a word–service. No one wants to end life’s journey wondering: Did my life count for something? Did I have a reason for being here? From people of all ages, income levels, and expertise, the answer can be a resounding “Yes!” From extraordinary examples–relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or work in refugee camps in Afghanistan — to localized, everyday actions, living a life of service to others, and seeing how lives are changed as a result, establishes the meaning and significance all humans long for–to matter. The ability to find fulfillment is within reach, and that awareness is waiting to be made in homes, workplaces, communities, neighborhoods, and schools all across America and the world.
3. Experience a 5-minute daily practice to jumpstart our spiritual lives. One option they shared was to connect to the Divine by singing “HU”. HU is an ancient name for God. It is also a love song to God. Basically, all that we do with the word HU is to sing it with reverence. HU can be sung by anyone, whether Christian, Muslim, or of any other religion. It isn’t meant to change one’s religion, HU will enhance it.
The benefits of singing HU are: comfort, peace, calm; inner light and sound; expanded awareness; a release of fears; answers to your questions; a subtle sense of divine love; and spiritual protection.
How to sing HU: With eyes open or closed, take a few deep breaths to relax. Then begin to sing HU (pronounced like the word hue) in a long drawn-out sound: HU-U-U-U. Singing HU with a feeling of love and it will gradually open up our heart to God.
4. Practice five words that can keep you on track spiritually. When life feels challenging with a particular situation or personality, ask these five words “what would love do now” and/or “is it truly necessary & kind? (oops, that last phrase is 6 words–oh well, you get our drift)
5. Learn a universal yardstick for gauging our spiritual growth–dream journaling was recommended and I will expand on this in my next article.
This conference continues to help me stay grounded in my spiritual practices and because it’s all women (and a few good men) we felt very connected–we are one in our search for deeper meaning and connection with our Divine/Higher Power.
A lovely mantra I received at the conference: I am worthy. I am wise. As I transform myself, I transform the world. – unknown
Look up! You are seen, you are sought after, you are known, and you are loved. Your Creator is not disappointed in you. You are loved beyond imagination. Onward Warriors!!