Journaling as Spiritual Practice

By Shams-i-Heartsong - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in On Writing

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

The Microcosmic Orbit

This is a breathing technique from Ta Chi and Qigong. It Works like this: In breath: Imagine or feel energy decending to your talebone from your belly and then up your spine to the crown. Make sure your tongue touches the roof of your mouth. Out breath: The energy decends down your front to talebone... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Working with the Breath Is, of course, the Most Important Practice

Why? Because breath is Life. Breath is Spirit. Breath is the gateway to KNOWING. Breathe and watch your breath. (Try not breathing) Learn the Microcosmic Orbit breathing of Tai Chi and Qigong. Tune in tomorrow for instructions. Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

If you want to Grow, Make Your Brain Go Slow

Turn down the volume of your Monkey mind. Give it a well earned rest. Settle gently into the Vast silence that holds all. Be not afraid of this dark void, for soon the Light of God is all that you will see. In that day, you will continue to chop wood and carry water, but now your eyes will behold... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Zikr of Remembrance

Instructions to do Zikr on your own: Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Find a way to sit comfortably with your back straight. Say this phrase out loud, "la illaha, il Allah Hu" Movements: On the la illaha: turn head to the left and sweep the head to the right so that the chin makes an ark down... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Let Your Light Shine: throw out those bushels

Many if not most Christians feel that we have been given a Great Commission to help others meet God through Christ, Our Lord. And so we feel free even under some obligation to tell others about God. The Sufi's say, "Don't tell me about God, show me God." We believe that it is possible to actually... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, August 14, 2006

The Paradox of Being Asleep and Seeking Enlightenment

Certainly, one way to describe the human predicament is that we are asleep. We go through our entire lives that way "trying to get by". From one illusion to another, we seek to find truth and purpose. The problem is that the very instrument (our ego self) that we use to try to figure it all out,... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Practice, Practice, Practice

We all know that if you want to get good at something, you just have to practice. But when it comes to our spiritual growth, we often leave it to fate or God or something. My spiritual teacher has offered me a number of spiritual practices. When I do them all without interruption, they take about a... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Why is Journaling Such a POWERFUL Practice

This is the first question one should ask oneself when considering whether to adopt it as a practice. Here are a few of my random thoughts on the subject: Writing it down objectifies a thought and allows us therefore to take another more dispassionate look at it. As a alien to this planet, how true... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Thankful for Being an American

Oh God, I am so thankful to be an American, even though I am not at all proud of my country and the fearful greed of those who operate the helm. To even have this privilege of protesting my government's behavior without fear of reprisal.......what a blessing! To not want for food, shelter or... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Morning Practice: A life of its own

Bismillah, ar Rahman, ar Rahim. ("We are beginning this morning practice in the name of the One Who Is Mercy and Compassion") Music: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Surrounds: My Front Porch Office Opening Prayer: Let all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling Stand. Ponder nothing earthly... Sign in to see full entry.

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