How to Find a Spiritual Rhythm
Transitions are part of life. Each of us will experience many different seasons over the years, and with that comes changing rhythms and routines. These shifts require us to be flexible and adjust, holding our plans loosely as we learn how to navigate our changing reality.
Shifts in your spiritual life are a natural part of this process. The way you connect with the Divine will look different from decade to decade, year to year, and week to week. Yet when it comes to finding a spiritual rhythm, the stakes feel higher. Many of us cling to our idea of what prayer or meditation “should” look like, whether that’s because it’s what always used to work for us or because a spiritual leader suggested a particular practice.
It isn’t necessary to force your spirituality into a shape that doesn’t fit your current life. The God of Love meets you where you’re at. If your past spiritual routines don’t seem to fit anymore, we invite you to explore these ideas for developing a spiritual rhythm that supports you on your journey.
Try a New Prayer Practice
There are many ways to pray. We all tend to settle into our routines, but sometimes trying a new prayer practice can offer us a different approach that renews our spiritual life. These Ignatian prayer practices can be adapted to meet your unique needs.
Choose a prayer practice that’s new to you (or maybe even one you’ve disliked in the past!) and approach it with a sense of play and curiosity rather than worrying about the “right” way. Your experiments can lead you toward a rhythm that works for you as you are in this moment. These prayer practices may be a good starting point.
Lectio Divina
In this practice of Divine Reading, we remember that sacred Scripture was written for each of us. God uses Scripture to speak to us in different ways at different times. Lectio Divina is a practice that invites you to not just hear the words of Scripture, but to let them settle into your heart and contemplate what they mean for you in this moment.
Examen
The Examen prayer is a daily reflection that invites you to notice the movements of the Spirit throughout your day. As a regular habit, the Examen can help you recognize moments of consolation and desolation, which can serve as signposts when you have a discernment question.
Contemplative Prayer
Contemplative prayer is a form of meditative prayer that invites you to sit in stillness in the presence of the Sacred. There are many forms of contemplative prayer, such as centering prayer, in which you clear your mind and allow your thoughts to float by as you concentrate on a word or phrase that is meaningful to your current spiritual journey. Spending time in contemplative prayer can create a sense of intention and peace in your day and can deepen your relationship to the theme you’re contemplating.
Imaginative Prayer
Ignatian imaginative prayer invites you to enter fully into a Gospel story as though you are part of the scene. Using all five of your senses, you will place yourself in the story as a character or bystander, then reflect on how God reached out to you through this immersive experience.
Seek Community
We are each on our own unique spiritual journey, but that doesn’t mean we walk alone. Being in community with others can spark something within us as we experience support and camaraderie. Other people may introduce us to new perspectives, ideas, or spiritual practices. They also remind us that we are never on our own; many others have shared similar experiences.
Sacred Ground facilitates many groups and resources that offer opportunities to be in community with others:
Sacred Circle is an online monthly gathering that fosters an inclusive place of belonging, creating space for participants to be valued and validated in supportive community.
The Spiritual Director Development Series is a collaborative series with Loyola Spirituality Center designed for spiritual directors who long to deepen their practices in supportive community.
Groundings is a monthly lecture series for anyone interested in deepening their spirituality, their capacity for deep listening, and contemplative engagement in our world.
Invoke What You Already Love
“God in all things” is one motto of Ignatian spirituality. Anything can be a spiritual practice, especially those experiences where you feel most like yourself. The things you enjoy doing can be signposts toward spiritual practices that you may already be engaging in—sometimes without realizing that you’re connecting to the Sacred! When approached with intention, these can become anchors of your spiritual rhythm.
This may include things like
spending time in nature (gardening, hiking, birdwatching)
creating something (baking, crafting, painting, repairing)
moving your body (yoga, dance, walking or running)
engaging with music (listening to an artist you love, playing an instrument, singing)
When you have a free hour, what are you excited to do? What activity makes you lose track of time? Which hobbies did you enjoy as a child that you might like to revisit? These are places to start when seeking a new spiritual rhythm. Intentionally engage in activities you love and notice how God meets you there.
Continue the Journey
Life transitions may throw your spiritual rhythms into liminal space, but that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your practice. These shifts can be invitations, opening doors to approach God and experience Divine Love in different ways.
Sacred Ground is here to support you in your journey. Whether you’re looking for uplifting community or new spiritual practices to incorporate into your day, we invite you to explore our upcoming events and join our email newsletter to continue learning about new opportunities.