A spiritual practice, spiritual discipline or spiritual exercise includes any activity that one associates with the cultivation of spirituality.

Spiritual practice can refer to the seeking of an ultimate reality or to a transcendent dimension of the self, an inner journey that leads to the essence of one’s being. Spiritual practices like meditation, contemplation and prayer are used to develop an individual’s inner awareness, and these practices often lead to an experience of connectedness with a larger reality.

Spirituality is often used as a source of inspiration or orientation in life, encompassing a belief in the transcendent nature of the self. This awareness is helpful as a basic pillar of personal growth and healing.

A good place to expand your spiritual practice is to first identify your individual interests. Are you fascinated by history? Want to see books and movies about parenting? Struggling with anger or envy issues? Want to jumpstart your creativity? Concerned about the effects of climate change? Interested in personal integrity? Your interests can lead you to the resources you need for a meaningful spiritual journey.

A peaceful mind – Peace of mind comes with the resolution of emotional problems through non-resistance, non-judgment, forgiveness and acceptance. Spiritual awareness brings the clarity we need to deal with situations in a calm and rational way, and from this mindset the answers we seek appear much more readily. Calm awareness in the face of conflict is a hallmark of spiritual practice.

Making the transition out of this life through the death experience is something we all face, and most people are terribly afraid of it. In light of this fact it would seem that the ultimate goal in life is to cultivate true peace of mind before we die. Could it be any more ironic that we are so highly educated in so many subjects except the ones that offer inner peace?