Using Your Spiritual Practice to Evolve—Even During the Election Cycle

There is a reason people refer to their commitment to the evolution of their spirit as a "practice."

To practice something, according to Webster's dictionary is, "repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it." 

"Spiritual practice" is a term used in all kinds of spiritual traditions to describe anything we do to support our spiritual growth— such as setting intentions, yoga, prayer, meditation, etc.

When challenges arise we lean into our spiritual practice as a tool to help us get back to calm, to compassion, to love, to balance, to harmony, and to our higher self. That's WHY we practice—to build those muscles so that we may access them in times of crisis. 

The real truth of a spiritual practice is an overall orientation that sees life as a spiritual journey and everything that happens as fuel for that journey. Remember the mother of all Intentions? "To accept whatever happens as if I had chosen it?"

Recognizing turmoil, stress, fear, anger, or hatred as catalysts for our spiritual development is the key. Believe it or not, these so called "sufferings" are our friends.

So it only speaks to reason that we would apply a spiritual practice to the political campaigning, the 24 hour coverage and commentary, the polarized arguing and propagandizing on social media, and the grip that it has on us, our fear, our anger, and especially our feelings of hatred.

It's time to put all your practice to work.

First and foremost, and as a spiritual practice, protect your precious energy and be vigilant of what you are feeding it. If after watching the news or scrolling through social media you feel yucky, recognize that energetically it's not a healthy match for you. 

People say, but I can't do that! How will I get my news? Believe me, you will get your news. You can stay informed and adhere to healthy energetic boundaries. You know when enough is enough. Honor your spirit and care for it as you would an angel on Earth. 

Secondly, just because you aren't looking at it, doesn't mean it's not happening. There will be an election. There will be a result. What you chose to do with that result is up to you and your spiritual practice. Will you be a victim of it? Or will you recognize it as fuel for your spiritual growth? 

No matter the outcome, we can be assured of social unrest. So take the time now to prepare yourself. Dig more deeply into your practice in the coming days. Train for it. Know what tools calm you, empower you, know what nurtures your spirit and lean way, way in. 

Know too that there is, and always has been, a deep abiding peace that exists in every present moment. To access it, all you need to do is stop what you are doing, put your feet on the ground, close your eyes, and breathe. This not only serves you in real time, but it sends an energetic message to the Universe that all is well.

As usual, we are rooting for you.