Aizaiah Yong, an associate professor of spirituality at the Claremont School of Theology, emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself. “You’ll never regret being connected to your own life,” he says, urging individuals to explore their personal longings and questions.
“You’ll never regret being connected to your own life and being true to the questions and longings that are there,” says Aizaiah Yong.
For Gwen Vogelzang, the pain of infertility led her to seek spiritual comfort. She wanted help staying centered amidst grief. Becoming a parent through adoption brought new challenges, including advocating for neurodiverse children. These experiences left her feeling disconnected from her religious community. Moving cross-country and enduring the pandemic added to her difficulties in finding a lasting church community.
Vogelzang, who resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan, began forming her own spiritual practices. She attempts to stay grounded by being present during ordinary tasks, such as washing dishes. Observing nature, like birds outside her window, helps her feel connected. She describes spirituality as the serenity of sitting in her sunroom, feeling the sun on her face without her ego leading her actions.
Personalizing Spiritual Practices
According to Aizaiah Yong, spiritual practices can be personalized to fit your needs. He highlights that spiritual rituals, even religious ones, are living entities. They can be modified to bring meaning and fulfillment to life.
Whether your beliefs are rooted in religion or independent, these questions can guide you in establishing spiritual practices. Grab a pen, find a cozy space, and answer the following prompts:
- What does “something greater” mean to you? – Psychiatrist Anna Yusim defines spirituality as a connection to “something greater than yourself.” For some, this might be God; for others, it could be collective consciousness or values like love and perseverance.
- Where do your spiritual beliefs come from? – Identifying your spiritual history helps you understand your beliefs. Consider your early connections to something beyond yourself and decide which rituals to maintain, explore, or discard.
- What activities connect you to your spirituality? – Reflect on past experiences that made you feel close to your “something greater,” and incorporate them into your life as rituals. Activities can be religious or secular.
- What else can you do to strengthen your spiritual connection? – Explore new practices within or outside your faith, and find inspiration from diverse cultures.
The Importance of Community
When considering spiritual practices from different cultures, Aizaiah Yong advises building relationships with communities where these traditions originate. Engaging with meditation in a Buddhist context could involve connecting with a local temple or center first.
Embracing your spiritual journey involves overcoming challenges and discovering personal practices. “You’ll never regret being connected to your own life,” Yong concludes.
Your Turn
What does your spiritual practice look like? Are you forming a spiritual life separate from religious beliefs? Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected] with the subject “Spirituality.” Explore responses from others and contribute to the conversation.
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