Spiritual Life Takes Time

Spiritual Life Takes Time October 18, 2014

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We want spiritually rich lives, and we want them now!

We do not want to sacrifice anything we already have, or change the things we already do. We do not want to struggle with any of our habits, or opinions, or expectations.

Is there a book we can read, or a podcast to which we can subscribe? Is there a conference we can attend, or someone we can follow on Twitter? Where is the magic formula to give us abundant spiritual life right now?

Spiritual life is not magic. It does not mature overnight. There is no immediate fix, no new operating system we can download. Spiritual life is real life.

We cannot import spiritual life. Our spiritual life grows out of who we are and how we relate to the sacred all around us. We do not earn it by doing spiritual things, or achieve it through our own effort.

Still, it takes time.

Spiritual life takes time each day. We recognize we need to pay attention to be strong emotionally, intellectually, or physically. We need to spend time strengthening those parts of our life, and spiritual life is the same. We cannot ignore spiritual life and expect it to be strong.

There are many ways to pay attention to spiritual life. Some people participate in an organized religion, some people pay better attention when they are by themselves. Praying, reading, meditation and contemplation, gratitude, service, talking with a spiritual life mentor or director. Practicing takes time.

Spiritual life also takes time over the long run. People do not become strong spiritually overnight. The experience and lessons of a lifelong spiritual journey shape us and help us grow into spiritual life.

When do you pay attention to spiritual life?

How do you hope your spiritual life will become stronger during the next year?

[Image by Svadilfari]


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