How To Have A Spiritual Experience

  • Consider meditating. Check to see whether a regular class is offered in your area, or download the Smiling Mind app for a guided meditation.

How do you develop a spiritual experience?

It was during this journey that I developed respect for some of the values that my childhood faith had taught me. Discipline, for example, as well as the outward expression of appreciation, have proven to be extremely beneficial in my life, particularly as I've developed a personal spiritual practice in my adult years.

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Of course, one does not require a religious upbringing to enjoy this experience. You have the option of believing in a higher power (or not), as well as belonging to a religious institution or faith-based community (or not). Spirituality is open to everyone. It's fluid in some aspects. It encourages people to think on what they're seeing and to applaud how things are changing.

Whether you're looking to start a spiritual practice or want to deepen your spirituality, try the following:

What is a spiritual experience example?

A spiritual experience is defined as an occurrence that is beyond human comprehension in terms of how it may have occurred in the first place. Situations like avoiding death in an otherwise deadly situation or incomprehensible monetary gain are examples of these types of encounters. Another example is looking back in time to see how things unfolded in ways you could never have imagined. While you may not have had a “burning bush” encounter, you should be aware that spiritual experiences are not one-size-fits-all. Here are some suggestions to help you determine if you experienced a spiritual encounter or not.

How do you have a spiritual awakening?

Be aware of and deliberate about what you believe. Recognize the energy you're putting out into not simply your world, but the globe at large. Also, be truthful. Are your beliefs assisting you in your spiritual development? A spiritual awakening frequently necessitates the renunciation of long-held beliefs. But here's the thing about waking up: you have to realize you've been asleep first.

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How do I experience and express my spirituality?

I'm a mother and a wife. I'm a carpool driver. I cook, and there's a 50/50 chance that my family will eat what I create. I set a goal of exercising six days a week, but I've only been able to do it three times recently. I'm also starting a meditation teaching business. I enjoy socializing with my friends, but I don't get to do it as much as I used to. But, no matter what, I still manage to make time to be spiritual every day.

This isn't to suggest that I'm more spiritual or unique than you. I just incorporate my faith into everything I do, giving even the most boring chores significance and assisting me in my personal development. I'm always learning new things, working on forgiving myself and others, and trying to be more attentive.

Certain days are unquestionably better than others. Even my worst days might feel like a wonderful gift when I have a firmly entrenched spiritual perspective.

Here are six techniques that you can adopt into your daily life to help you live a more spiritual existence:

1. Mindfulness

Even if it's only for a minute, try to start each day with meditation. You'll be able to start your day feeling more centered and grounded as a result of this. Meditation has helped me feel less stressed, have more patience, get better sleep, have a stronger connection to my inner guidance system, and have improved compassion for myself and others.

I started my practice two years ago with eight minutes per day and gradually increased it by a minute or two every few weeks. I now meditate for 20-30 minutes every morning, but consistency is more important than time. It is preferable to meditate for five minutes every day rather than twice a week for 20 minutes. However, it is preferable to meditate twice a week than not at all.

2. Spiritual Consultation

Reading spiritual books has become an important part of my daily meditation routine. Reading novels like Robert Holden's Holy Shift! and Marianne Williamson's A Year of Miracles inspires me every day. These books are constructed with the intention of allowing the reader to read one page per day in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed by commitment. It's incredible how motivated you may feel after reading just one page of truly profound literature.

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3. Develop a sense of gratitude

Increasing your thankfulness is a major changer in your life. I am convinced that the more thankfulness you express, the more things you will have to be grateful for from the Universe.

What are the 3 elements of spirituality?

In their eternal wisdom, all shamans, healers, sages, and wisdom keepers of all centuries, continents, and peoples claim that human spirituality is made up of three aspects: connections, values, and life purpose. These three components are so strongly linked that it may be difficult to tell them apart. Take a minute to ponder on each facet of human spirituality to determine the state of your spiritual well-being if this is possible. This will be a three-part monthly series, starting with relationships.

Internal (your domestic policy)—how you deal with yourself, how you nurture the relationship with yourself and your higher self—and external (your foreign policy)—how you relate, support, and interact with those people (and all living entities) in your environment—are the two categories of relationships.

What criteria would you use to assess your internal relationship, and what steps could you take to improve it?

How would you assess your external relationships, shifting from the perspective of domestic policy to international policy?

What part of the brain lights up when you pray?

And your reality scans show that persons who spend a lot of time praying or meditating develop a dark spot in their parietal lobe, which is responsible for creating a sense of self.

What are the spiritual activities?

Finding meaning and purpose in life may be a lifelong process that changes over time as a result of unique circumstances, personal experiences, and global events. A person's level of spiritual wellness, like the other dimensions of wellness, varies throughout their life. It's common to feel a range of emotions on the route to spiritual healing, both positive and negative (hope, forgiveness, acceptance, joy) (doubt, fear, disappointment, conflict).

Spiritual wellbeing has the power to make our decisions and choices easier, to center us during times of change, and to provide us with the resiliency to face hardship with grace and inner peace. Having a spiritual component in our lives may even assist us in healing whether we are afflicted with a physical or mental ailment.

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Personal Reflection

Take a moment to measure your spiritual well-being by answering the following questions.

  • Do I make an effort to broaden my understanding of various ethnic, racial, and religious groups?

Practice Spiritual Wellness

When it comes to spiritual wellness, it's vital to identify the strategy and approach that works best for you; unlike the other dimensions of wellness, there is no “one size fits all” solution.

  • Volunteering in your community, spending time in nature, and appreciating music and the arts are all good things to do.

In future articles regarding spiritual wellness, we'll look at ways to figure out what your meaning or purpose is, as well as activities that can help you maintain or improve your spiritual wellness.

What is a spiritual learning experience?

The spiritual learner recognizes that there is something outside of ourselves that impacts and accounts for life eventsâsomething ethereal that cannot be fully described. For some, this is God's work; for others, it is the work of the âUniverse;â and for yet others, it is simply a spiritual experience with no clear definition. In terms of religion, a spiritual learner is someone who absorbs information from a variety of sources and recognizes and accepts that all of the main religions have made significant contributions. A spiritual learner is a person who is open-minded who expects to continue to learn about the human condition throughout their lives. As new information becomes available, he or she expects to modify hypotheses and shift perspectives. He or she is not bound by any one style of thinking, psychology, or religious belief. Because we are continually confronted with new conditions that need us to adapt and adjust, this is critical to living a balanced, healthy, and high-achieving life.

The spiritual learner's perspective can be applied to almost every element of life; any set pattern of thinking or acting that has resulted in an unpleasant outcome should be reevaluated. Individuals of this persuasion are not threatened to reconsider long-standing behavioral patterns that may need to be adjusted or completely abandoned. The guys in my family, for example, were all heavy smokers. It appeared to be the right thing to do, and it appeared to be good for the World War 11 generation. Many doctors and scientists who were funded by the tobacco business backed it at the time. I begged my father to stop smoking when I was a child, but he refused. Every morning, I could hear him cough; it didn't seem good for him, but I had no evidence to back up my claim. At the age of 66, the habit he had discovered to be his saving grace throughout WWII cost his life.

My father was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, his serious addiction changed his plans on most occasions, but on the day he died, he was down to four cigarettes a day from four packs of Chesterfields. When time ran out, he was beginning to approach his addiction from the perspective of a spiritual student. He was considering the idea that his belief in smoking's innocence was incorrect, and he was beginning to contemplate an other viewpoint. He recognized that his actions were draining his spirit of vitality (he was sick more often, had shortness of breath as his body was failing him and his spirit for life was diminishing.) Â

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In this regard, I feel that the Dala Lama's constant attempts to learn and assimilate new findings are part of Tibetan Buddhism's attraction to Americans. He has said numerous times that Buddhism is an old religion with many old writings. Nonetheless, he has stated that the teaching of classic literature must evolve in response to new understanding. He has shown an interest in scientific information, notably with brain neuroplasicity. This way of looking at life makes our days more exciting, gives us more energy, and allows us to be a part of something bigger. We're more linked to a wider range of people and experiences. Spiritual students are interested in learning about and experiencing whatever it is that nourishes the human soul in a healthy way.

Being a spiritual learner equips us with the skills we need to rewrite our story; remember that part of the definition is “to learn from all reliable sources,” which includes ourselves. This implies that we now have the ability to learn more about ourselves, our views, our job paths, and, most importantly, our culture, country, and world. We won't be able to live without the curse if we don't care for people all over the world. Personal freedom necessitates an understanding of how certain civilizations, cultures, and organizations establish systems that enslave others. We create a tiny, non-diverse world that inhibits our personal and spiritual progress if we are self-absorbed and only care for people closest to us who are most like us. The well-being of others is, in essence, our own well-being. For the spiritual student, there is no separation. Our tale may now be rewritten because we trust other people's ideas, and we trust that people all across the world have valuable insights and wisdom to share.

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Spiritual learners constantly rework their unsupportive story. They've gained optimism and trust in others, and they've realized that self-learning and learning about the world are never-ending pursuits. It's exhilarating to live by this concept since learning ceases to be a danger and instead becomes a constant means of improving one's self-awareness. You start to feel free. You are open to everyone around you, but most importantly, you are open to the entire world. Because you are free to be a genuine participant, you are now a contributor to a better society. There will be no more cover-ups, and there will be no need to maintain a false story. Knowing that the old story is mostly made up is the best feeling in the world. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â It's never only about altering our internal perspective of ourselves when we rewrite our tale. It's also about reordering what we've learnt that isn't correct. Baby boomers, for example, were raised to believe that Germans and Japanese people were nasty and terrible. It turns out they thought the same thing about us, and all three countries' propaganda was wrong. Many young people today believe Muslims are violent, disgusting, and evil people. Some Americans have been known to drag Muslims from their cars and assault them. What a heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous heinous Eliminating the possibility of empathic understanding and essential connections. Remember that any distortion of the truth, in us or with others, leads to self and society devastation. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ÂÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Spiritual learners are dedicated to learning the truth about themselves, their family, friends, and everyone else who lives on this planet. We are dedicated to scrutinizing every bias in our brains and hearts in order to live in accordance with the truth. We are considerably more likely to develop and retain the curse if we are opposed to the truth out of fear or other defensive motives. Why? Because we are constantly misled about how to feel at ease in ourselves and in the world, we hide behind mythical notions about ourselves and others.

How common are spiritual experiences?

According to polls, there's a 50-50 chance you've experienced at least one spiritual encounter – an overwhelming sense that you've touched God or entered another realm of reality.

So, have you ever pondered if such experiences were all in your brain or if they genuinely happened? According to scientists, the answer might be both.

Jeff Schimmel is the man to talk to if you're looking for proof that religion is all in your head. The 49-year-old writer was raised in a Conservative Jewish household in Los Angeles. But he didn't believe in God until he was touched by something outside of himself.

Schimmel had a benign tumor removed from his left temporal lobe about a decade ago. The operation went off without a hitch. But, unbeknownst to him, he began to have mini-seizures soon after. In his thoughts, he could hear conversations. People around him would occasionally appear slightly surreal, as if they were animated.

Then there were the visions. He recalls looking up at the ceiling twice while lying in bed and seeing a swirl of blue, gold, and green hues that gradually settled into a shape. He was baffled as to what it was.


How To Grow In Spiritual Discernment

“Be utterly modest and kind; be patient and loving toward one another. Make every effort to maintain the Spirit's unity through the peace link.” 2:2–3 Ephesians 4:2–3

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We grapple with the thought of having to share our discernment with everyone as we progress in it. We make the error of believing that every insightful thought we have is for their good. If the Spirit leads us, it's sometimes true. Other times, we are prompted to pray by the Holy Spirit. Individuals and the body of Christ both benefit from discernment.

This is when Christian maturity comes into play. Discernment and maturity go hand in hand. We make errors, but we also have an impact on the lives of others. Maturity is defined by humility, kindness, patience, and forbearance, all of which are accompanied by love. Knowledge of God's word and observation of God's methods with men lead to discernment without judgment.

Discernment develops over time, and our decisions influence the rate and scope of that development. The ability to notice and distinguish is referred to as discernment. It expands as our knowledge, insight, wisdom, and maturity increase. It is our ability to discern if God is directing us in the right route or not. Discernment is a spiritual gift and a skill that we can develop.

How do you develop discernment?

Because every decision must be made in line with God's will, Christian spiritual discernment can be distinguished from other types of discernment. Christian discernment is defined as a decision-making process in which an individual discovers something that can lead to future action. God leads the individual through the process of Christian spiritual discernment to help them make the greatest decision possible. In Christian spiritual discernment, the greatest approach to arrive at the best option is to look for internal and outward indicators of God's action and then apply them to the situation at hand. Christian discernment also places a strong emphasis on Jesus and making decisions that are consistent with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. Christian discernment differs from secular discernment in that it focuses on God and Jesus while making decisions. Ignatius of Loyola is widely regarded as a master of spirit discernment. Ignatian discernment is named after Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), who developed his own distinct method of Catholic discernment. Ignatian discernment focuses on perceiving God in all aspects of life and uses a series of Spiritual Exercises to help people make better life decisions. The Spiritual Exercises are intended to assist those who are confronted with a significant life decision. Identifying the issue, spending time to pray about the choice, making a wholehearted decision, discussing the choice with a mentor, and lastly trusting the decision made are the seven steps of discernment to be followed.

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How do you get spiritual discernment?

In Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Charismatic (Evangelist) Christian theology, the term “discernment of spirits” refers to appraising diverse spiritual agents for their moral influence. These are the agents:

The judgment required is to distinguish the cause of a specific urge, with the first and last being evil and the second and third being good.

Although some people are said to have a specific ability to sense this through intuitive light, the majority of people are thought to require study, introspection, and possibly the guidance of others.

There are two methods to make this decision. The first is through a charism, or spiritual gift, bestowed upon select individuals for the purpose of recognizing spirits through intuition (1 Corinthians 12:10). Reflection and theological research are the second approach to detect spirits. This second approach is acquired human knowledge, but it is always learned “with the assistance of grace, via the reading of the Holy Bible, works on theology and asceticism, autobiographies, and the correspondence of the most prominent ascetics.”

How do you strengthen the gift of discernment?

1 Pray on a regular basis and seek the Holy Ghost's company. 2 Study the scriptures, put them into practice in your life, and endeavor to understand the gospel. 3 Act on your intuition; use your gift in all aspects of your life. 4 Be obedient; live the gospel every day so you can recognize the “still, little voice.”

How do I ask God for discernment?

Dear heavenly Father, you count our hairs and determine our days; you hang the stars and feed the birds; you open and close doors that no one can open or close. Surely, we can put our faith in you when it comes to making significant decisions, or any decisions for that matter. We're through a similar season right now, Father, and we're aware that we're not alone. For the sake of your honor, we will trust you with generous wisdom, straight roads, and quiet hearts.

We adore you for being the God of decision-making. It is your choices, not ours, that determine the outcome. We'll make plans, but we'll entrust our actions to you. We'll pray, but we'd like you to direct our prayers to heaven. We'll seek advice, but you may count on you to veto any incorrect or incomplete information from our closest friends and mentors. We'll read through the Bible, but not for proof passages, but for you, Father. All we want and need is for you to come along.

Free us from the paralysis of analysis—desiring to make the right decision more than being virtuous; desiring to be known as smart people more than knowing you. Free us from the idolatry of believing that there is just one “ideal” option in every scenario. Free us from making decisions based solely on our comfort and the approval of others, or out of fear of their condemnation. Allow us to understand that good decisions do not always result in the most straightforward outcomes, especially at first. Allow us to make decisions without second and twenty-second thoughts.

Father, we know that your will is our sanctification—our becoming more and more like Jesus—in ALL things, whether it's wisdom about purchasing or selling, vocation or vacation, this place or that place, this person or that person. Give us this zeal; make it our pleasure.

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So, Father, when we trust you with the opening and closing of doors in front of us, make us more and more like Jesus. Everything we eat and drink is for your glory, as are our whatevers, whenevers, and wherevers. Amen.

How many types of discernment are there?

Ignatius' criteria for discerning spirits are divided into four categories: (1) seven attitudes or personal qualities necessary for authentic spirit discernment, (2) three different “times” or conditions in which decisions are made, (3) seven practical techniques that can aid in the discernment process, and (4) some guidelines for determining whether a given inner movement or desire is from a good or evil spirit.

Why is it important to have discernment?

Should I relocate across the country to the place where I've always wanted to live?

I'm sure you've faced a major personal decision similar to one of these. It can be terrifying, thrilling, draining, and exhilarating all at once. We can attempt to avoid it, but making decisions is one of those basic human experiences that we all have to go through from time to time.

When faced with a decision like this in the past, I've always gone with my instincts. I'd mull over the notion in my head for a few days before deciding on the best alternative for me. Most of the time, looking back, I'd think my decision was a good one, but there were occasions when I didn't.

Even when I felt certain in my decision, I would frequently question it. I'd inquire about topics like, “What if I have a change of heart? What am I missing out on as a result of my decision? What if I'm not really interested in what I thought I was? What if I'm not sure what I'm looking for? What if what I really desire isn't the most important thing? What if what I want isn't good for me in the end, or vice versa?” etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.,

This began to change for me in college, when I was fortunate enough to form a friendship with one of my professors, who was also a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest. We were talking about important life matters one day (one of my favorite pastimes), and he stated to me, “Always follow your heart, but first and foremost, ensure that your heart is clean.”

The remark struck me as accurate right away, but I had no idea what he meant. I was curious to learn more. Over the course of our subsequent conversations, he gradually unpacked for me an old approach of decision-making known as discernment.

Discernment is founded on the thoughts of various great mystic minds in Christianity, including St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of vila, St. Paul, and St. John, to mention a few. It's based on the belief that God speaks to each of us through our hearts' and brains' good and holy desires. Despite our deep brokenness, God created us to be basically good, and He desires for us to mature into our complete selves: to become the most fully actualized, finest versions of ourselves. This is our divine mission, and it is what He created us to do.

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We also have deep brokenness: anxieties, selfishness, insecurities, and wounds, in addition to this God-given loveliness. This is how the Bible refers to it “It is a sin.” These, too, speak loudly in our deepest thoughts and feelings, preventing us from becoming the person we were born to be.

As a result, we have a conflict inside ourselves between our genuine selves and our fake selves. The fight is described by St. Ignatius as a battle between a “good spirit” and a “evil spirit” attempting to seduce us, similar to the angel and devil on a cartoon character's shoulder. These voices compete for our attention and influence.

The brave part of you may be urging you to relocate across the nation, but the terrified half of you is screaming that you'll make no friends if you do, so you'd better stay there. Your wisdom may be telling you to break up with your significant other, but your libido is reminding you of what you'd be losing out on if you did. Maybe your perseverance is asking you to stick it out in a difficult job, while your recklessness just wants to hit your boss in the face with a three-hole puncher.

I believe this is what my professor meant when he said “Make certain that your heart is pure.” We must ensure that we make decisions based on the good desires in our hearts, that we make decisions based on the goodness within us (such as our strength, hope, generosity, and compassion), and that we disregard the evil (fear, greed, or pride).

To be sure, this is not an easy process. Trying to distinguish between our selfish and altruistic wants can be difficult, but it is feasible to do so over time. We gain self-awareness as a result, and we may be confident that we are responding to God's call in our lives: that we are becoming our genuine selves.

Discernment aids us in making the best decision possible for the best reasons. More than that, it gives us the assurance that we will be able to stick to our obligations. The first several years of my marriage were challenging for my wife and me. We had to put in a lot of effort to establish healthy routines of living, talking, and growing as a family. We'd both had doubts about the person we'd chosen to spend the rest of our lives with. Do you have any idea what gave us hope? Looking back on our marriage discernment journey.

Both she and I had carefully discerned and prayed about whether or not we should marry, and we had both come to the unambiguous conclusion that we were meant to be together. We looked back on that discernment as a source of strength in later moments of doubt. We were confident that God had called us to get married to each other and that we had chosen each other for the right reasons.

We were able to see those early problems as obstacles to overcome together, rather than seeing them as a sign of a bad decision, because we knew we had made the correct decision with pure hearts. It helped us see our current struggle as a step toward becoming our actual selves as a group.

You might or might not be similar to me. As I previously stated, my default way of decision-making is to trust my instincts. Maybe you, too, trust your intuition, depending on your personality (or Myers-Briggs type, if you're into that – any more ENFJs in the house?). Alternatively, you might think more logically and evaluate all possibilities. Perhaps you strive to make the most rational decision possible. Perhaps you do what is required of you by people closest to you. Perhaps you enjoy being a renegade and trying new things. Perhaps you act rashly and make a snap decision. Maybe you pray to God every day for signs.

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Each of these characteristics can be beneficial, but they also have disadvantages. Discernment aids us in capturing the best aspects of each. It's a comprehensive approach to assisting us in discovering the authentic, good, and beautiful desires that God has placed deep within us.

Listening to your heart, evaluating with your mind, and bringing God into the dialogue through prayer can help us clarify our motivations and desires, gain confidence in our decisions, and teach us to be honestly our best selves.