Spiritual health is as important as physical, mental and emotional health. In some ways it’s more important because spirituality affects our emotions, thoughts and physical energy. When we are spiritually healthy, we feel balanced from the inside out; we connect to our higher self and operate from a place of peace, wisdom, and intuitive knowing. We know what foods to eat, when to work and when to rest, how much exercise our body needs, what direction to take our life in, how to rise above petty concerns and judgments, and most importantly, how to open our hearts to unconditional love and forgiveness.

“Spiritual practices help us move from identifying with the ego to identifying with the soul.” Ram Dass

There are many spiritual practices that connect us to our divine essence. I’ve included some of my favorites below. For a broader look at spiritual traditions and the seven common practices found amongst them, click on the book, Essential Spirituality.

Tips for Spiritual Health

Here is what I’ve found supports me as well as my coaching clients to stay spiritually healthy.

Meditate regularly. This may seem obvious, yet many people don’t take the time to develop a regular meditation practice. There are many meditation techniques available. With practice our meditation sessions become easier and we go deeper into our connection to the God of our heart, spacious awareness, or whatever you call source of all life. Set time aside to meditate, the way you would honor an appointment, and watch how this has a positive ripple effect into your relationships, work, and all other aspects of mind/body health.

Connect to inner love and joy. It’s easy to feel loving and joyful when we are around other happy people or are experiencing positive life circumstances, but what happens when we encounter difficult people or challenging circumstances? If we are not spiritually centered, we are easily triggered, become defensive and judgmental. When we realize that we have a fountain of love and joy within us that we can tap into at any time, no one else can truly harm us or knock us off center. Take time each day to center within and touch into your true nature of love and joy. Let this vibration flow through your whole body and then carry it with you throughout the day. Shine unconditional love on to everyone you encounter.

Stay in the present moment. Our analytical mind likes to take over by rehashing the past and rehearsing the future, but this takes us away from our spiritual center. Soon our ego is running the show and our body becomes fearful and lonely without us at the helm. Noticing when this happens is all that is required to bring you back into the present moment. From there you can take a few deep breaths, feel the sensations in your body, notice your surroundings, and carry on in with your present activity.

Touch into higher states of being. On a soul level we vibrate higher and lighter than our body, but we can touch into these spiritual states and integrate them into our daily experience. Through acceptance, amusement, gratitude and forgiveness we operate from our soul instead of our ego. This can be done by accepting what is instead of resisting reality. Finding amusement in every day situations instead of being too serious. Focusing on what we are grateful for instead of dwelling on problems. One of my favorites is touching into the vibration of forgiveness as a way to release old hurts and resentments.

See spirit in everyone and everything. Within each human, animal and plant on this planet is a spiritual being. When I remember this and say hello to the spirit within I feel directly connected to the Source of life. Look past the surface appearance and personality and view the soul inside everyone and everything you encounter and this will keep you spiritually healthy.

What supports your spiritual health? Please comment below.