A walking meditation is easy to practice; it enhances physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It is especially effective for those who find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time. Some people enjoy practicing in a beautiful outdoor setting, like a park. Others prefer to practice indoors, due to poor weather, or desire for privacy.

When practicing a walking meditation, walk in silence, both internal and external.

Be mindful of your walking, noticing each step you take. Walk slowly, with small, deliberate, poised, graceful footsteps. As you move in such conscious, thoughtful, and graceful motion, you may imagine each of your footprints leaves an impression of whatever you wish to place into the universe. For example, each step may release peace, love and/or joy.

Notice the beauty of your surroundings, both externally and internally. Notice every cell in your body seeming to smile.

I personally enjoy walking in nature, usually near a body of water. One of the most powerful experiences I had happened during a walking meditation when I went to Green Lake. (Green Lake is in North Seattle, with an almost 3 miles wheeled and a walking path that goes around the lake.) I formed the intention to look into the eyes of as many people as I could while I walked around the lake.

What I saw amazed me. I saw the God/Love/Life within each person that looked back at me. No words were necessary; we spoke through the eyes, the eyes of love, and the eyes of understanding. As I looked at each person, amazing things would happen: a smile would appear on their face, a look of interest or even surprise. It felt to me that people experienced surprised when someone sought eye contact to look at them with a longing to open for the truth behind their eyes.

I invite you to step out and try a walking meditation, go to a park, a mall or even your own neighborhood and see what comes from this purposeful exercise. Enjoy!

The Spiritual Practice of Study is a never ending journey into the Truth of Self. Where have we come from? Where are we going? Why are we here? Life itself affords us the opportunity to play in the infinite lab of all possibilities. In study we explore these questions and expand our conscious understanding of what Life is and how we choose to live it.

The Spiritual Practice of Study can happen in different ways and forms. For instance reading materials of a spiritual nature such as, the bible, yes I did say the bible; there are many different versions of the bible and many things that can inspire you spiritually from the bible.

Also there is the Torah, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita and many more form all the religions of the world. Just because you practice one religion or are on a defined spiritual path does not stop you from expanding your mind by reading these other books, such as The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams by Deepak Chopra, Remember, Be Here Now by Ram Dass, or A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle. There hundreds of books that feed your spirit and expand your mind.

With technology today you can listen to books and lectures on your way to work or even while you are at work. Anything that expands your mind and opens it up to other ways of thinking can be spiritual.

Listening to a broad range of books, whether fact, fiction, magical such as the Harry Potter series, healing and plethora of audio books out the can move you from stress and anxiety to calm and peace.

There are also many videos out for your viewing either by rental or at your local libraries.

I invite you to seek out books related to other religions and cultures. By studying other religions and culture you will have a better understanding of their traditions and beliefs. Really once you get to that understanding you might realize that they are not so different from you and your beliefs. You will be amazed what you will find and how your mind and heart will be expanded.

“First, know that who you are matters!”

Sometimes we get caught up in the busy “doingness” of life. We then can forget that who we are is our gift to ourselves and others. Intentional acts of service bring richness to one’s self and to those with whom we serve. In service we assist each other in deepening our sense of community and interdependence. Service opportunities allow us to co-create.

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve…. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

I believe that the Spiritual Practice of Service is not just the act of volunteering wherever there is a need for things to be done. Instead, it is giving of your time and talents to serve those in your community and doing with love and joy, whether it is your spiritual community or your community at large.

The Spiritual Practice of Service is a spiritual practice because it is a powerful way to express love. Service gives everyone more time, more vitality and a sense of wellbeing. The real reason we do it because it is who we are: generous, loving presence of the Divine as us and it is our nature to serve and assist others.

The Spiritual Practice of Service to others is a way to serve the community and ourselves by connecting with others in a fun loving and meaningful way. Just as there is a diversity of people in your community, there are many ways to put your unique skills, talents, and interests to use in a way that will reveal love and celebrate life with your spiritual community and to the world at large.

“When a person’s thought rests entirely upon themselves, they become abnormal and unhappy; but when they give themselves with enthusiasm to any legitimate purpose, losing themselves in the thing they are doing, they become normal and happy. Only as much life enters into us as we can conceive, and we can conceive of life – in the larger sense – only when there is complete abandonment to it. Let the one who is sad, depressed, or unhappy find some altruistic purpose into which they may pour their whole being and they will find a new inflow of life that they have never dreamed.” ~Ernest Holmes