I’ve been writing a lot about Super-Charging September. There has been a lot of energy around this, both my own and that of others, and it’s been inspiring and invigorated.
It may be my love of alliteration that has inspired me to writing another S-themed post this month, but this time it’s about Sacred, Spiritual Sobriety…
It is, of course, all relevant. You wanna super-charge? Try slowing down. Get spiritual and aligned with your purpose. You wanna the clearest path to do so? Try cutting out addictive behaviours and co-dependencies, whether it be alcohol, sugar or food.
There is a theory that addiction come to people who do not know their purpose, or are disconnected from it. I also really resonate with the idea that co-dependency is the disease of the lost self.
So can you connect with your purpose? How can you connect with self?
According to Yogi Cameron, a spiritual practice helps locate purpose.
If your mind is occupied with higher thoughts, and your heart is at peace, you reach for that addictive substance less.
In a talk I listened to recently, Yogi Cameron broke it down like this:
We are Spiritual beings… with Ego.
Spirit is always saying “HEY” and Ego says “Shut up, I got this.”
The Spirit guides us to purpose, never avoiding the challenges along the way.
Ego says, “Skip this part!! (the hard part)”
As we know, Ego is also directly tied to addiction. Addiction (or any kind of dependency on a substance or food) can be a great way to avoid pain, ie “the hard parts.”
How does this show up?
In my client who is unfulfilled in her day job, socially isolated, and not living her purpose and binge eating at night. Food replaced alcohol. Both are taking the place of meaningful connection to self, others, and higher purpose.
In another client who abandons her morning ritual (which includes meditation) once things start going good. (Ego says, “I got this!”) Without maintaining the focus on her daily practice, things start to unravel and she disconnects from her centre, and slides quickly back into her familiar anxiety.
In my family member, who after a year of sobriety, is finally feeling pain that was avoided for years – and is now finally ready to answer the question: Who am I and why am I here? Yet still very much trying to control, and with Ego making it all about him, he isn’t able have faith and to trust Spirit to take the lead.
For myself, my spiritual practice helped me step outside of my ego-driven decisions and fear. I experience less anxiety, more confidence, and more peace.
I heard this quote awhile ago, and it really resonated with me.
“I am content to see a mountain as a mountain and not as a comment on my life.” (If you know the source of this quote, please let me know!)
Spirituality helps me get out of my own way… And to not make everything about me. My connection to Spirit helps my Ego take a backseat. With Ego firmly in her place, I am a lot more free from addictions. With Spirit taking the lead, and connecting me with my authentic purpose AND the inter-connectedness of us all, I am more free from dependencies.
Pretty nifty.
However, as we all know, there’s no magic enlightenment pill. My spiritual practice is a practice, and something I have to remind myself to practice.
I write it down. It’s part of my “to-dos” in my morning ritual . Sunrise meditation has become an increasingly important part of my spiritual practice. Sometimes I’m not able to or can’t wake up, but I always feel better when I do. If I miss sunrise, I try for sunset. Sometimes I do both.
My boyfriend reminds me to pray at night. Our versions of praying are different and so are our versions of God. It doesn’t matter. Sometimes we pray out loud for and with each other, sometimes side by side in silence. It is another ritual I have come to appreciate.
Swimming, restorative yoga, humming and tapping have all become important practices to keep me present, “in the moment,” and at the same time connected to a source much larger than myself (call it my Higher Power, God, the Universe, the Divine… insert whatever works and feels meaningful for you).
Being in nature is one of the post powerful ways for me to connect with myself and Spirit.
What about you? What does your spiritual practice feel like? What does spirituality mean to you?
I would love to hear in the comments!
xoxo
