Exploring Your Spiritual Side: 6 Practices You Can Try

When it comes to looking after ourselves, there are five main areas we need to address:

• our emotional side
• our physical being
• our social wellness
• our environmental wellness
• and our spiritual side

Our spirituality helps us find meaning and purpose within our lives. It can be painful. It can be beautiful. And it can be everything in between. 

Now, you might think, “I’m not spiritual or religious or anything.” So, here’s the thing: Spirituality doesn’t always equate to religion. It can. But it doesn’t have to.

• So, how can you explore your spiritual side?
• What does spirituality even mean?

Below, we dig into all of this and more.

What Does Exploring Spirituality Mean?

Spirituality, at its core, refers to connecting with an energy or higher power, something bigger than ourselves.

• Some might discover this through meditation.
• Others might find it through prayer.
• And some might simply need a moment of peace and quiet to connect with themselves and the universe.

Yes, it may sound a little woo-woo to some. Yet, if you believe in karma, you likely believe that there is some energy greater than us out there (whatever that may be!).

If we think of life like ripples in the water, our actions and energy ripple outward, impacting those around us and then influencing those on the outer edges of our reach. In many ways, this is connected to spirituality as well.

Those moments of awe. That serene wave of peace that washes over us in moments of contentment and satisfaction. The gratitude we feel in our hearts. It’s all energy, baby! 

And yes, spirituality may overlap with our emotional wellness. Inevitably, our emotions give way to how we feel and how we connect with energies greater than ourselves. 

And yup, you might not think you’re spiritual at all, but then have moments of spiritual awakening where you notice you need this. And if you’re reading this, maybe you’re a little more spiritual than you thought.

How Do I Access My Spiritual Self?

For many of us, it’s hard to let go. We may struggle to connect with a higher power or energy or even see that it exists. But perhaps we long for it either way. Here are a few ways you can connect with your spiritual self better (and then below, we’ll dive into specific practices).

• Be open and honest with yourself. Allow energy to flow through you and be honest about what you need from the world or universe at this moment. Why are you seeking spirituality? What do you long for?

• Create space in your life to welcome spirituality. This might mean setting aside time to foster gratitude or perhaps doing some of the spiritual practices below to connect with that energy.

• Look for the good in others and every situation. This helps you connect with the positive energy in this world and connect to your spiritual being.

• Avoid judgment. Again, be open and honest. But don’t berate yourself for things. Accept them and move forward with positive intentions.

How Do You Explore Your Spiritual Side?

Alright, so what can you do (while using the above tips) to connect and explore your spiritual side? Here are some practices to get you started.

1. Explore Your Senses

Find one thing you can touch, one thing you can hear, one thing you can smell, and one thing you see. It’s best to do this in a natural setting, if you can. If not, anywhere will work too!

When exploring each sense, truly try to connect with it and uncover the energy behind it.

• Does it feel good?
• Bad?
• Peaceful?
• Happy? 

2. Practice Gratitude

Seriously! Gratitude will help you connect with yourself and the world around you through a deep appreciation for this world and our emotions.

Take a few minutes and make a list of everything you’re grateful for. For each item, really feel that appreciation in your body and chest to the best of your ability, connecting to the world and energy around you.

Related Article: Post-Traumatic Growth: How to Find Meaning & Appreciation Through Hard & Tough Times

3. Be Still

Yes, getting in touch with your spiritual side really can be this simple!

When you can, find moments of stillness throughout your day. If you feel it in the moment, bring your hand to your heart and just breathe for a second. Allow yourself to sit here, without digital devices and without anything tugging at your attention. Just be. 

Regular meditation practices can also be a wonderful tool here to dive into your spirituality.

4. Look for Signs

Okay, inevitably, not everything is a sign and if we look for signs, we probably will manifest a lot of this. But this is a great thing, especially for spirituality. It’s as though the universe is acknowledging us back, guiding us toward our rightful path (kind of like destiny). 

5. Seek Out the Good

In others, in yourself, in the world. It’s there, just sometimes we might struggle to see it. 

In many ways, this, again, helps us manifest appreciation for this life. Making this a regular part of your life can help you connect to greater meaning and purpose, as well as see that meaning and purpose more clearly.

6. Be Present & Set Intention

Mindfulness plays a role here, spilling over into our emotional wellness too. When we can practice being present, we let go of anxieties and worries that anchor us and hold us back from discovering the meaning in our lives (and the good in our lives!). 

It can help to set an intention here, such as a mantra or daily affirmation. Some examples might include:

• “Inner peace allows me to endure.”
• “We are all connected in this beautiful world.”
• “My spirit is courageous and at peace.”
• “Love flows through me.”
• “I am a spiritual being undergoing a human experience.”
• “I am connected to the universe and the energies within it.”

Inevitably, you can also make up your own. As with any affirmation or mantra, the key is to have it resonate with you. From there, you can meditate on it or chant it regularly, allowing yourself to truly connect with the world and find meaning within it.

Uncover Your Spiritual Side With Small Steps

While some people may experience a profound spiritual awakening, it doesn’t have to be anything big. Through small, intentional actions, we can connect with ourselves and the world on a spiritual level and open ourselves up to the powers it holds. 

By doing so, we can find true contentment and peace in our lives. We can experience pure joy and happiness. We can connect better with others and add positivity to the world.

After all, most of us have the intention of leaving behind the world better than how we found it. Getting in touch with your spiritual side can actually help you do this!

Read Next: How Spirituality Can Help Make You a Better Person

Photo by Riccardo