Every moment is filled with divinity and every day is sacred. We are integrally connected to the cosmic rhythms of each moment and each day; as much a part of nature as nature itself.

Reminding ourselves of our own spiritual existence is a moment-to-moment practice called sadhana.
Cultivating a daily sadhana helps us to live fully in the present, to awaken to our purpose in life, and as Bri. Maya Tiwari so beautifully puts it, to nourish “an alliance with nature’s rhythms”.

Sadhana is like meditation in motion. It’s the act of being mindful of the present.

Our daily sadhanas don’t need to be grandiose; hours spent in meditation or days living with monks are absolutely not required. Sadhana can be something as simple as walking barefoot in the grass or saying a prayer before meals.

These ten mindfulness practices can all be part of a daily sadhana. They keep us tuned in to our intrinsic spiritual nature and unite our thoughts and actions with our spirit.

1. BEGIN EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE THOUGHT

Let your first thought of the day be one of positivity. Rather than looking at your phone or begrudging your work schedule as soon as you open your eyes, send a loving thought out into the universe like “today is a beautiful day” or “today I will grow”.

2. GIVE GRATITUDE BEFORE MEALS

Food is most certainly a sacred gift; one that we could not live without. Take a quick moment before you eat to give gratitude to the cook, the grocer, the farmer, the sun, and all those who helped bring food to your table.

3. GIVE WHERE EVER YOU GO

Giving keeps us in tune with the flow of the universe. Gifts need not be financial or material; simply giving a compliment, a compassionate thought or a silent blessing is a powerful gift in itself.

4. PAUSE IN INNER SILENCE

Spending a short time in silence each day allows the heart to become the speaker rather than the turbulent mind. “Silence is a way of letting the mind fast”, according to Bri. Maya Tiwari, and reconnects us to our deeper selves.

5. FIND THE BEAUTY IN EACH DAY

Keeping a journal helps us to remember that every day is sacred. At the end of each day, write down one special thing that you did or observed. Not every day needs to be dramatically different from the one before, but being mindful of something as simple as a smile, a kind word, or a beautiful flower reminds us of the universe’s divinity.

6. LISTEN TO NATURE

Observing the sounds of nature connects us to something bigger than ourselves. Even if you live in a city, you can close your eyes and find nature’s music all around you in the form of birds chirping, leaves rustling, or rain falling.

7. HONOR YOUR BODY

The body is the abode of the soul. It deserves our love and attention despite our busy lives. Spend a few extra minutes each day to care for your body; whether it be soaking in the tub, oil pulling, or a short self-massage.

8. PRACTICE YOGA

Yoga is a sadhana in itself. It connects us with the breath, the prana, the life force that moves and animates us. Even a few minutes of mindful yoga helps us to feel more connected to ourselves.

9. WALK BAREFOOT ON GRASS

Carl Jung once said after a visit to India, “when you walk with naked feet, how can you ever forget the earth?” Slip off your shoes and reintroduce your being to the nature beneath you.

10. SAY A BEDTIME PRAYER

Just before sleeping, make an effort to even very briefly remember the divinity of the universe. You might simply remind yourself of your soul, your spiritual self, or send out loving thoughts of gratitude.

Bringing these practices to life really does make every day feel like a sacred gift.

References: Tiwari, Bri. Maya. The Path of Practice. New York: A Ballantine Book, 2000. Chopra, Deepak. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. San Rafael: Amber-Allen Publishing and New

Become a member of Rocking Fit and join our community of Rocking Fit women for a 12-week holistic journey to health, wellness and empowerment. Find out more…