Often happiness seems slightly out of our grasp. We go about our busy lives feeling tired, overwhelmed and out of touch with ourselves. The following five spiritual tools, taken from Kim Caldwell's book, Activate Your Abundance, help connect you to your spiritual center, promoting a sense of well-being and happiness.
1. Meditation
Abundance is the direct result of one's connection with the Divine. Whether you pray to Buddha or Jesus, this connection is the secret to health, wealth and happiness. In order to nurture this connection, Caldwell has created eleven guided meditations as one of the primary tools for keeping this connection healthy and strong. You can find these meditations in her book, Activate Your Abundance. These meditations are based on the following four principles:
- The central reason to practice meditation is strengthening your connection with God.
- We are whole and perfect just as we are and meditation teaches us this.
- It is the connection to this Divine source that is the basis for happiness, not our external rewards (i.e. house, job etc.).
- Meditation is about appreciation and counting our blessings.
With these principles in mind, take ten minutes out of your day to sit with yourself in meditation.
2. Goal Setting
Most people set broad goals. You say you want to be a writer or you resolve to lose some weight. Often one's goals are vague and become dusty relics instead of vibrant intentions. Caldwell states that, "...when we write out our goals, they come into being much easier as we unleash energies that we cannot see but feel" (Caldwell, 2011, p. 5). Write your goals in present tense as this helps your envision your dreams happening now.
You do not necessarily have to know how you are going to reach your goals but you need to set the intention of reaching your goals everyday. Once you know what you want, send it out to the universe. This helps dreams come to fruition. Where our mind goes, our energy goes. Practice using your mind like a compass by setting it towards your dreams and see what happens.
3. Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as tapping, helps to release negative thoughts and emotions. EFT is a cousin of acupuncture and works with the body's energy meridians. Basically, you tap with your fingertips on specific points of the body while releasing negative thinking. When you are thinking negative thoughts such as "I don't have enough money" or "I'll never find the right relationship," EFT is the perfect solution.
4. Ho-oponopono
This ancient technique from Hawaii is based on the belief that we can take responsibility for peace in our lives through changing our own thoughts, beliefs and actions. Ho'oponopono is "...the art of sending forgiveness and love to any unwanted situation or person around you" (Caldwell, 2011, p. 24). The technique is simple: recite "I love you," "I am sorry," "Please forgive me," "I forgive you," and "Thank you" when you think of a troubling situation or person. This process helps to clear out negative emotions and makes room for love and joy. Joy is felt when you are at peace with situations and relationships in your life.
5. Switchwords
Switchwords is a term coined by author James Mangan. The underlying principle is that there are words that when repeated can help people reach their intentions. From finding love to creating wealth, switchwords are powerful affirmations. Here are examples of a few switchwords:
1. "Find" - use when you want to attract wealth and abundance
2. "Be" - when you are seeking health and divine consciousness
3. "Count" - This word helps attract money to you
Repeat these words internally when thinking of a situation you would like to change or a goal you would like to reach until you feel an energy lift.
Caldwell's tools transform you from the inside out. By connecting with the divine in yourself, you create a life of abundance.
Source:
Caldwell, K. (2011). "Activate your Abundance." Together Publishing: Cordova, TN.
Meegan Simpson-Cooke - I live with my partner and step-children on the West Coast. My passion is reading about spirituality, particularly Buddhism. I write about ...
