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Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 7:43 pm
by Seraphin
loona wynd wrote:I agree. I believe that our spirituality should be fluid and should be constantly evolving. While I do have a concept or frame work that I have been working through and in I don't let that framework be what limits my experiences. I understand all experiences I have will be understood within that framework, but if I find a philosophy or trance exercise I want to explore that is not typically found in or associated with various forms of witchcraft or pagan practices I will give it a try.

I dont let my religious path limit my experience nor do I let the concepts and framework of witchcraft limit all of my experiences. I am open to exploring non witchcraft magical practices and the like. Hoodoo is one example of a non witchcraft magical path I am exploring. Though I understand my exploration and experiences will be colored by my work and life as a witch. Does that make sense?

In the end there are two true constants in this world. Change and death. If something doesn't change in this world it stagnates and eventually dies. In religion and spirituality this can mean the death of a persons spirit. So if a person no longer feels that they are getting anything out of their current spiritual path and direction they should start looking elsewhere or their connection with their spirit will fade and they can loose that part of themselves. So by having a fluid spirituality that is not stuck in a specific pattern or focus a persons spiritual path will never stagnate and die.
I couldn't agree more loona! :mrgreen:

We can go beyond the boundaries of every religion. Learn and explore every knowledge we could possibly find in different paths! Adopt some of them and own our beliefs. That is to say that if we have accepted a belief system from religions and paths on the basis of someone's interpretation but our own then it cannot be truly ours and we should not accept it until it is a part of us and we are part of it.

We should not let other peoples' limitations become our highest expectations.

There's a difference between believing in something we have never had explore and experience with and believing in something we have had explore and experience with. Exploring and experiencing is the ways to understanding. You can believe in the possibility and never realize it (make it real or know it as real). If the time comes when our belief was no longer limited to an idea of what's possible, let it become a truth of our exploring and experience which will give true meaning to our previously limited understanding.

Yes I agree with you! I think we all have to allow our beliefs to change and grow as we change and grow in the experience of life. Perhaps for many reasons your beliefs should precede your experience. Because as you said, "If something doesn't change and grow in this world it eventually dies. Wow! I love it! smiley_dance

loona wynd wrote:Can you think of any examples you can share?
I shared my experience and practice here: Power of Mindfulness, but what the heck. I post it here too, how's that?

I am practicing it, even in my simple ways. Taking a shower, for instance -- as I gather my toiletries I begin to bring my thoughts to the task at hand. Stepping through the door into the bathroom, I shed the past and the future along with my clothes; by the time I step into the shower, I'm completely in the moment, noting how the water feels on my skin, the scent of the liquid bath soap I used, the warmth on my shoulders. I get some of my best "aha" moments while I'm in the shower.

When I first turned my attention to exploring who, what and where I am as a spiritual and magickal being, one of the first objectives I set for myself was to find a way to incorporate spiritual and magickal awareness into my everyday consciousness and how spiritual mindfulness suddenly changes when my attention is drawn to the more earthly and secular aspects of life. Having made a habit of using rituals (daily routines) to bring myself to the present moment periodically throughout the day has done more for the stability of my spiritual and magickal connections than any other practice. It's a simple thing, and it works.
loona wynd wrote:I agree completly here. I personally have been guilty of using my spirituality and my spiritual skills as an escape from reality and mundane life. I had things I was unable to deal with and getting that involved in my spirituality to me became a distraction. The real world faded away and all there was to me was my spiritual studies.

While I did get a lot of experience during that time I also forgot to simply live my life as well. My only real connections to the real world were my college classes (which I was looking at as a requirement to do the academic and anthrpological approach to my spiritual studies). Even my work in my folklore literature and analysis work started to reflect this component.

Conversely I have also had my mental health get so bad that I have been unable to do anything spiritually being so focused on the pain and the physical world. I was so out of sorts. I knew that performing a meditation or working on a prayer or spell would help change things around. I knew this and I desired to do the work. I just couldn't mentally and physically and emotionally drive myself to do the work, so my connections suffered. I knew something was there but I couldn't feel it or see it.

Neither of those are good places to be. Having experienced both of those positions in my life I can find that balance now.I am slowly starting to piece together what I want my life to be like when my spirituality and life are fully intertwined. Once I have a clear picture I can start doing more formal ritualized work to set the energies into motion while also doing little actions to work towards the goal at the same time. It can take some time and effort but that is where I would like to be and go with my life.
I hear you loona. Not long after I first came to recognize my own spiritual path and to explore my spirituality, I set that goal for myself. At the time I had no idea how realistic that goal might be. Turns out it it's do-able, having open and ongoing spiritual awareness, although it's not easily attained or maintained, and it certainly has its drawbacks.

Still, I'm fairly comfortable with my progress, and I've accepted that it's an ongoing process, that I'll never really "get there" if total and consistent spiritual awareness is my goal for this life (which it isn't). I perceive the value of my human life as no less and no more than any other aspect of my existence, and I accept that my humanity places a natural veil over my spiritual perception, and that the lifting of that veil is not something I can do just once and have it stay that way. My attention turns toward the mundane, the physical, and my connection with and awareness of spiritual reality slides over to the periphery quite often.

Yeah, life issues often distract us. They make us think that things aren't through enough. We are so easy to disconnect from ourselves when we experienced bugs and glitches, our surroundings; so much easier to disconnect from spiritual reality and allow the veil to slip on down. I also reached a point in my life where my stressors have exceeded my ability to cope. Now, yes, that's a borrowed phrase straight from the Book of Psychobabbology, but oh how apt it is! :mrgreen:

But I always tell to myself that I gotta love 'em, coz the alternative (hating them?) just seems too melodramatic.

Yes, it brought a dark-night-of-the-soul kind of experience, however I was always reminding myself that these were all very valuable even though it's more than a little difficult. Remembering to breathe and trusting in the ultimate balance of all things has helped tremendously.

Sometimes when I'm experiencing this "disconnection", I feel as though I've been "nudged" by someone unseen, perhaps a spirit community member or some other type of spirit being. Although I have my fair share of random muscle twitches, there are times when I'm poked or tapped or touched by unseen hands. The difference between these and mere muscle twitches is on a vibrational level; when it's caused by someone (a spirit being) external to myself, there also comes a corresponding vibrational "nudge" that tells me the contact is significant.

I've become accustomed to these kinds of communication, the gentle prod that tells me I need to pay attention.

Also, another realization I got is even when I'm more on track -- well connected, the veil is lifted, and I'm mindful and aware -- I still need to make time to pause, sit in quiet meditation and delve deeper. Easy to allow too much time to pass between the deeper moments, and I do so to my own detriment.
loona wynd wrote:What do you mean by worship here? I do think celebrating each day is a great way to go. I wrote a prayer for the God of the Sun in the morning as well as the ancestors, and the heart and home spirits. I ask all of those forces to bless me and help me to enjoy the day and learn their lessons. I need to rememorize/learn the sun prayer and the hearth and home prayer. I only recently started to recreate that shrine for those spirits, considering the place I live was given to us by them, it only seemed appropriate.
That's exactly the form of worship I'm referring! smiley_dance
loona wynd wrote:And that is how I believe religions and spiritualities really should be. I believe that they are guides and paths for us on how we should and can live our lives with other humans and the world in general around us. I believe the actions in the physical world are important. I also believe online behaviors are important as well.
loona wynd wrote:Religion can be joyous though. Religion doesn't have to be drugery. If your religion feels like a burden than your in the wrong belief system.
loona wynd wrote:A good teacher will never define religion or spirituality for a person. They will give guidelines and exercise that show a person where to look so that they will have their own experiences. Any teacher that says a path has to be X unless practicing an orthapraxic religion like traditional Wicca is not doing themselves or their students any good.
Yeah, I just don't like the idea of having an "religious authority figure", who tells other folks the supposedly "correct" theories, practices and experiences you have to learn and do. His theories, practices and experience are the only one accepted, even though we can't intellectually accept or understand his teachings and they don't resonate with us. There's really no free discussion of ideas, if there is, it's very limited. Members are led like ignorant children to believe only one "official" theory and practice. There's no room for disagreement, contrary opinions, alternative point of views or questions.

But from time to time, I meet like-minded individuals (both online and personal) who also express their personal dissatisfaction with this system. So, one day, I told these folks: "Why don't we form a small pagan circle on spiritual and magickal matters? But it will be different from any other existing today. No teacher will instruct us what or what not to believe or to practice. We shall express and share our new explorations, revelations, ideas and opinions and not try to convince each other to believe it and adapt it. We will not allow heated debates to condemn one another and prove that I am right and you are wrong -- just involved discussion. We will respect differences in beliefs, especially those contrary to our own. No attempt will be made to convert others to our own belief system or spiritual views."

"In addition, there will be no teacher and student. We are all equals, all students on the same boat, all will be a lightworker. Each will be as a torch light to the other. This way, everybody grows fairly in consciousness and awareness and no one is spiritually or intellectually superior to the other."

These characteristics are what make our Friday Circle unique. Our group became very effective, orderly but friendly community.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 3:10 pm
by AnaisStar
Along the lines of being mindful, Ive started leaving my phone at home when I walk the dog. I used to text, twitter, insta, facebook etc while walking the dog.

Now I leave it, and Im aware of everything around me as I walk him. I look at everything as if its the first time Ive seen it, and I really NOTICE what I see: trees, flowers, rocks etc.

Ive started to feel the vibrational energy from the world around me a lot stronger now.

Its amazing how a simple thing as just being present and noticing can cause a huge energy shift.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 4:16 pm
by loona wynd
raynelae wrote:I usually do yoga and I also talk to the Goddess. Also, it's good to just be in nature, even with headphones on. Simply allowing the sun and air to heal you is something we should all experience. Nature is our "church, after all.
I liked using Yoga for a daily practice. There was a time when I worked Kundalini Yoga on a regular basis. The chants Sut Nam (Truth within) and Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo (I bow before my higher conciousness or I call upon divine wisdom) have been very powerful for me in ritual outside of Yoga. I learned them in Yoga and I feel that I can use them out of Yoga.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 4:50 pm
by loona wynd
AnaisStar wrote:Im trying to meditate every day now. My mediation practice is pretty sporadic at best.
I really need to get back into doing that myself It's not like I don't have a space to do meditation work. I do have it. I just need to set up my routine again.
AnaisStar wrote:I also started doing daily affirmations/mantras centered around gratitude as I get ready. Like thanking my guides, angels, deities for all that they do and bring to my life. As well as just be thankful for having the day, being alive etc.
The power of affirmations is a wonderful thing. I've experienced this feeling several times in my life both in the context of witchcraft and magic training as well as within the context of psychological aspects the power of the mind.
AnaisStar wrote:I also do daily oracle card readings etc. I was trying to learn the tarot. This is the second time Ive tried to pick it up but I just have a hard time remembering all the meanings behind the cards. I just havent connected to the tarot they way I have with Oracle cards and runes. I should start doing a regular tarot card and rune draw a day, and journaling about it.
I work with several different divination systems. None of them seem to work any better for me than the other. Though I am starting to work with my tarot cards more often.
AnaisStar wrote:My mother just sent me the Gypsy Witch cards and I am LOVING them. I find them very easy to read and interpret. Ive been practicing by reading them for others.
I never really liked those cards myself to be honest. Maybe I just never got the proper hang of them. I'd rather work regular cartomancy.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 6:43 pm
by loona wynd
Seraphin wrote: Yes I see what you mean. Since my work as a spiritual magick practitioner is concerned with the four levels of existence -- Divine, spirit, mind and body -- I start each day with this focus in mind.
I can sort of see that. In some ways that relates to my five soul theory and concept. I've started to illustrate parts of it in my Grimoire Thread. Needless to say I believe that we are a soul. I believe that the soul is a complex thing made up of five individual parts that work together to create a whole in life.
Seraphin wrote:I give thanks for the day and for any other good things I can think of. I light a candle or incense as a sweet aroma for my guides and Deities. My fiance sometimes has negative tendency so I always remind her to practice gratitudes and thanksgiving as often as she can.In this way, she turn her attention to the beauty and abundance of the world rather than to its perceived disharmonies. I just acknowledge the Divine beings and spirit forces in the constant help They give everyday.
It can be difficult to be positive and upbeat. I have found that every once and a while focusing on the negative can be productive. When we focus on the negative we can then look at ways we can address the issues causing negativity and we can find ways to fix the problems. This is why I don't banish negativity unless its really built up. I find once a week is good as it allows new things in the fresh views.

Seraphin wrote:My affirmation goes like this:
Thank you for this new day; for this comfy and cozy bed; for this good night's sleep; for the sweet dreams; for my healthy mind, soul and body; for my loving partner; for the magick that will come to this day; for my pets, and for my work.

I also set my intention, just like in casting a spell, I believe an idea or a strong intent is very powerful -- capable of being a driving force behind the day. This helps to ensure that everything goes right from the start.

My intent could be:
Today I am happy, healthy and wealthy. I trust my guides and Deities that they'll keep me awake for every trick. Today I sail through my work with efficiency and enjoyment, get to and from work easily, and have lovely evening to round off a perfect day.
I don't see much of a difference between your intent and your Affirmations. What is the difference?

Seraphin wrote:Clothing is also one factor. I clothe myself carefully. How I present myself for the day has a magickal and spiritual effect on me for the whole day. It depends on what I want to see manifesting in a particular day. So colour correspondence is very useful to me. Sometimes, I just go with the instinct.
Never thought of dressing for color. Though I do wear purple a lot when I do psychic work. Granted Puprle makes up a large portion of my shirt colors.
Seraphin wrote:And of course, my food has a lot to do with my spirituality and magick also. I feed myself carefully. I believe certain types of food that we take into our system have their own vibrations and spirit forces. They may affect our state of consciousness and level of attunement. I also normally don't recite blessings before meals (as do many Christians), but rather after I have eaten my food. I don't "bless" the food because I believe it's already a blessing, but rather acknowledge my Deities who provide for their provision and care. When I'm also eating, I visualize the table as an altar before my Deities where we partake of other sacrificed life forms with the result that we ourselves might continue in existence.
Well that is true. Everything has a spirit and properties associated with those spiritual forces. When we eat those foods we have those energetic forces become part of us. That is the concept of kitchen magic and kitchen witchcraft through food.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 12:16 pm
by Seraphin
loona wynd wrote:I can sort of see that. In some ways that relates to my five soul theory and concept. I've started to illustrate parts of it in my Grimoire Thread. Needless to say I believe that we are a soul. I believe that the soul is a complex thing made up of five individual parts that work together to create a whole in life.
Oh please share it here. I cant find your five soul theory in your Grimoire. :lol:
loona wynd wrote:It can be difficult to be positive and upbeat. I have found that every once and a while focusing on the negative can be productive. When we focus on the negative we can then look at ways we can address the issues causing negativity and we can find ways to fix the problems. This is why I don't banish negativity unless its really built up. I find once a week is good as it allows new things in the fresh views.
I don't focus on negative aspects of my life or spirituality. But I don't forget to identify the "things" that I need to improve on. Of course, there are always unfavorable events resulting from decisions that I can always control or manage. I don't say these things as negative or bad.

As a result, I have less negativities as I always look forward to the next day to have another chance to improve my shortcomings.

And let's say, I have successfully overcome these negativities. I always give myself some simple yet meaningful, rewarding presents that define ME, so I can always relate happiness with meaningful events on a long-term basis. These little rewards will reinforce my positive lifestyle because I can't feel deprived with such simple pleasures that I deserve.
loona wynd wrote:I don't see much of a difference between your intent and your Affirmations. What is the difference?
While slight, the thought process between intention and affirmation is different I believe. I define intention as a "determination" to act in a certain way. It is of the Mind. Intention alone won't normally get you there.

Affirmation on the other hand, is the final link to reach your goal. It's a positive verbal expression or assertion of a mental conviction or intention. It's a verbal suggestion to ourselves that something is real and will occur.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 4:09 pm
by loona wynd
tukz wrote:I had a deck of animal cards given to me from a very special person to this day I carry them around with me everywhere I go, now and again I would go through them to see which animal guide will be my guide for the day not being a regular thing, but now just looking through the current posts I'm going to try and make it a regular practice to welcome positive energy to my day so that only love and light will brighten my day as well as give love and light to people who may cross my path during the day. If I do cross negative energy or thoughts may the lesson learnt be one that will be given back in Love ten fold.
Animals can be powerful guides and companions. Good luck developing your daily practice.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 4:29 pm
by loona wynd
Seraphin wrote:
Oh please share it here. I cant find your five soul theory in your Grimoire. :lol:
Its on the third page of the thread second post. Here is is in simplest terms though:

The soul

The soul is a complex aspect of our being. It had five parts that make up the whole. Each component serves a unique purpose in each of our many lives.

The five components are:
The body
The spirit
The shade
The Mind
The Susoul

Each component works separately yet in harmony. In general that are independent. However that which effects 1 of them effects all of them.
Seraphin wrote:I don't focus on negative aspects of my life or spirituality. But I don't forget to identify the "things" that I need to improve on. Of course, there are always unfavorable events resulting from decisions that I can always control or manage. I don't say these things as negative or bad.
Ok. I should clarify by negative energy I mean things like stress and anxiety. I have stress issues and I have anxiety disorders. I perform magical practices of cleansing myself daily so that these energies don't build up to unmanageable portions. These energetic forces are uncomfortable, but they are needed and a part of life. Banishing the excess forces of anxiety and stress that don't serve my higest good or are around for no reason helps keep those forces under control and helps me be able to see exactly what needs to be worked on.
Seraphin wrote:As a result, I have less negativities as I always look forward to the next day to have another chance to improve my shortcomings.
I dont think of negativities as shortcommings. I think of them as the factors and energetic forces that when build up can cause extreme depression, and disstress. These are things that can also cause many physical issues due to the stress that builds up from them (like high blood pressure, and hyper ventalation from anxiety attacks).
Seraphin wrote:And let's say, I have successfully overcome these negativities. I always give myself some simple yet meaningful, rewarding presents that define ME, so I can always relate happiness with meaningful events on a long-term basis. These little rewards will reinforce my positive lifestyle because I can't feel deprived with such simple pleasures that I deserve.
One of the things I am working on for myself is my ability to communicate my thoughts in the verbal form rather than just the written form. I have a difficult time speaking my thoughts or verbalizing my thought process, and part of that is a speech issue where my brain moves faster than my mouth can work at times. This causes a lot of stress and frustration. However I have learned how to work with it. Its still difficult.
Seraphin wrote:While slight, the thought process between intention and affirmation is different I believe. I define intention as a "determination" to act in a certain way. It is of the Mind. Intention alone won’t normally get you there.

Affirmation on the other hand, is the final link to reach your goal. It is a positive verbal expression or assertion of a mental conviction or intention. It is a verbal suggestion to ourselves that something is real and will occur.
See for me intention is the force behind magic. Affirmation is what I already have. When I say and write an affirmation its about saying I already have something. For me the difference is in the wording. One is worded to manifest in the moment and the other is the force that originally drives the magic and is what is behind the affirmation.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 7:40 pm
by Seraphin
loona wynd wrote:
Its on the third page of the thread second post. Here is is in simplest terms though:

The soul

The soul is a complex aspect of our being. It had five parts that make up the whole. Each component serves a unique purpose in each of our many lives.

The five components are:
The body
The spirit
The shade
The Mind
The Susoul

Each component works separately yet in harmony. In general that are independent. However that which effects 1 of them effects all of them.
Yeah I could see that. In some ways your theory relates to mine. :D

According to Yogi Ramachakara,
that man is encased within numerous sheaths. As man advances in development, his awareness passes from lower planes to the higher, and he becomes more and more aware of his higher nature. These sheaths I believe contains potentialities, and as man progresses he unfolds new powers, new qualities into the light.

Source: Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism
This is what I believe. The six principles of man in order of decreasing density in my book are:
  • Body - this is the lowest and crudest manifestation of man and is the most visible. However, it should be respected and take care of because it is truly the temple of the living spirit and the Divine spark within us. It should be made to perform what the mind of man dictates and not the other way around. Therefore discipline is essential. Each cell in the body contains a life operating through the nervous system. When death comes to the body, the cells separate and scatter, and decay sets in.
  • Mind -- this is what controls our automatic responses. It is the seat of the appetites, desires, passions, sensations, and emotions of a lower order. It is first manifested in the unfolding consciousness of the self. With the development of it, man begins to reason. As the mind receives greater enlightenment from the higher principles of the soul and spirit, the mind begins to exhibit remarkable powers of analysis, and synthesis which has made all our scientific progress possible.
  • Consciousness (Astral Body) - this is one of the most fascinating aspects of man. This is sometimes called the "etheric double", the "fluidic body", etc. It is composed of matter of finer quality than the physical, but matter I believe, none the less. The astral body exists some time after death of the person to whom it belongs and under certain circumstances it is visible to living persons, and is called "ghost." The consciousness or astral body of a dying person is sometimes projected by earnest desire, and may sometimes be seen by friends and relatives with whom he's in sympathy. Under conditions of extreme physical pain or in grave danger of death, ordinary persons are known to project their consciousness to another location to seek help. Of course, the trained and developed psychic is able to project his consciousness and make it visible to others at will.
  • Soul - I sometimes called this as super-consciousness or cosmic consciousness or the Self. It is the one that enables us to see the truth of something beyond the understanding of the mind alone.It's the source of emotions, of inspiration, of insight, of intuition. It is the source from which we obtain vision and insight. The more we trust our soul, the more it responds to us and guides us through the flashes of illumination and enlightenment. This is also the faculty of man that I believe undergoes the process of reincarnation to attain perfection. It's the gradual unfolding or perfection of the soul that is the goal of man's life.
  • Spirit- it's the divine essence in man which makes him truly God-like.
Daily, my work is concerned with the Divine, Spirit, Mind and Body while during my deep meditations, my work is concerned work with my Consciousness and Soul.
loona wynd wrote:Ok. I should clarify by negative energy I mean things like stress and anxiety. I have stress issues and I have anxiety disorders. I perform magical practices of cleansing myself daily so that these energies don't build up to unmanageable portions. These energetic forces are uncomfortable, but they are needed and a part of life. Banishing the excess forces of anxiety and stress that don't serve my higest good or are around for no reason helps keep those forces under control and helps me be able to see exactly what needs to be worked on.
Yeah, same here.
loona wynd wrote:I dont think of negativities as shortcommings. I think of them as the factors and energetic forces that when build up can cause extreme depression, and disstress. These are things that can also cause many physical issues due to the stress that builds up from them (like high blood pressure, and hyper ventalation from anxiety attacks).
I could see that loona. I on the other hand, believe that negativities happened in my life are result of my wrong doings or decisions. I don't believe in "innocent suffering". These negativities (anxiety, depression, distress, etc. ) will come to me when I'm unawarely or unintentionally caught off guard and yields to the negative thoughts and emotions.

If my Higher Consciousness or parts of my Ori (Yoruba term for Higher Self) points out a negativity, I'm to immediately get rid off it by looking and formulating a thorough considerations, decision and response how to handle it. In this case, I usually apply the Yoruba principle concerning actions and right living as handed down by Yoruba ancestors: "eso" (caution), "ifarabale" (composure), and "owo" (respect), "suuru" (patience), "ogbon" (wisdom) and "oye" (understanding). This is the time I take and accept my shortcomings and turn it into a force for doing positive. I redirect my frustration with my frailty and channel it into a drive to fight weakness and infirmity. I let my outrage propel me into action. I combat the pain in the world with love and light. Alleviate suffering wherever I can and call on my Deities, Orishas and guides for the strength to keep me from repeating it.
loona wynd wrote:One of the things I am working on for myself is my ability to communicate my thoughts in the verbal form rather than just the written form. I have a difficult time speaking my thoughts or verbalizing my thought process, and part of that is a speech issue where my brain moves faster than my mouth can work at times. This causes a lot of stress and frustration. However I have learned how to work with it. Its still difficult.
Oh Gosh! There are times that I feel this also.
loona wynd wrote:See for me intention is the force behind magic. Affirmation is what I already have. When I say and write an affirmation its about saying I already have something. For me the difference is in the wording. One is worded to manifest in the moment and the other is the force that originally drives the magic and is what is behind the affirmation.
Over all, our mind exerts a very strong power or influence on our body, surroundings and events magickally.

I also forgot to add here that I also sometimes, prefer to use affirmation instead of prayer.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 7:05 pm
by MsMollimizz

I try to give thanks everyday for the food I eat
to the air I breathe. I have a book I have been
trying to read each day:
Living Earth Devotional: 365 Green Practices
for Sacred Connection
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 6:54 am
by AnaisStar
MsMollimizz wrote:
I try to give thanks everyday for the food I eat
to the air I breathe. I have a book I have been
trying to read each day:
Living Earth Devotional: 365 Green Practices
for Sacred Connection
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz
Ive started doing more gratitude based things like this as well. Attitude of Gratitude.

That book sounds cool. Im going to look it up. Thank you for sharing.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 7:32 pm
by Seraphin
I'm currently mastering it, Attitude of Gratitude. As it's spiritually, magickally and psychologically liberating.

But one can't fully embrace that if he/she choose not to eliminate the attitude of entitlement from his/her life.

Gratitude for me is the recognition that no one owes me nothing and all the things I have and I haven't is a spiritual and physical gift. My physical senses are gifts as well as its psychic counterparts. So is my fiancee, my daughter, my clothes, my house, the money I use in my everyday lives, the herbs, the woods, the stones that I use in my magickal pratices, my every breath. This is a major shift from the entitlement mode. Recognizing that everything and everyone good and beautiful in life is ultimately a spiritual and physical gift is a fundamental truth of reality.

To speak of seeing everything good and beautiful I have and I haven't as a lovely present leads me to confront the reality of a bestower and the source of all this good: the Divine and Natural Forces

Gratitude is where I start to begin experiencing both the real magcik and spirituality in a powerfully personal way. "Thank you" is the simplest and one of the most powerful affirmation and incantation I can say. If I can say, "Thank you," I can connect with other forces of spiritual and natural realms as well as with my Highest Ideals and begin to develop a personal relationship with Them.

Alright, enough with my rant. :D

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 11:40 am
by loona wynd
Over the last few weeks maintaining my daily routines and practices has been very difficult. With my fiance' home I have not really been able to do my weekly spiritual cleansing of the place. My prayers have also started to slide. I've been remembering to at least do the prayer to the sun when I can, but my ancestral prayers and other prayer workings have gone away. I have even let my focus and concentration and working on a jar spell slide. Depression can do some nasty things to my spirituality. So it is something that I am trying to correct.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 5:02 pm
by Seraphin
I'm keeping you in my meditations loona, and would really like to encourage you to remember that great growth can come from great struggle. (Meaning, there can be a huge payoff from what you're going through now, big enough that perhaps some day you'll look back at the struggle and think of it as a huge blessing.)

When I'm feeling depressed, facing some trouble or slowly coming through a very rough spot, I disconnect myself emotionally and mentally. Wish I could bottle that -- Tincture of Disconnect -- and use it at will. I believe it's a coping skill I learned at a very, very early age and thus is part of my hard-wiring. I do what I can to reroute those wires, but in extreme circumstances, Basic Survivor Mode kicks into full gear. Sometimes, we really need a break.

Also, being spiritually aware is a way of life for me, and I am very grateful to have that as a stabilizing factor. Good to keep that gratitude in mind; it'll make the day a whole lot easier.

You'll be okay as long as you keep your thoughts positive and shed tears when necessary. Be thoughtful of yourself and your wounds and remember that when one door closes another opens after the doorway is clear. Sometimes it's necessary to do a considerable amount of clearing before (or immediately after) one steps through.

Re: Daily Practices

Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 10:05 pm
by Klia
For daily practices, I pray when I wake up, when I eat, and when I'm going to bed. If I take a shower or bath, I'll thank the Gods for my favorite element Water. It always brings me closer to them when I'm swimming or bathing.

I also have a small journal by my bed side or wherever I go full of prayers, quotes, goals, what I'm grateful for, things I want to study more about, uplifting thoughts, etc. Like a happy book that is more spiritual and brings me closer to the God and Goddess.

Seraphin, being grateful for things in your life or life in general can make anyone spiritual (even if they're not) and it allows humans to be less materialistic. It is definitely a way to start off becoming a better person and being the best you can be.