For the longest time I thought spiritual practices meant prayer, worship and going to church. What are spiritual practices? They are selected intentional thoughts, words and actions (practices) that bring you closer to your connection with the almighty power of Universal Consciousness. These practices are self-aware and structured using discipline, and devotion to lead us on a path to joyful freedom (moksha).
Being raised under the Baptist belief system and later marrying the son of an Episcopal priest caused me to reject a lot of traditional religious doctrine. Judgment, fear and condemnation were taught as a means to find God’s grace. I did not agree. I really struggled with the concept of God’s wrath. And for a long time, I rejected the church and all that it represented. I especially disliked the fact that here were these “good Christian people” at church on Sunday and I would hear them gossiping about one thing or another. It just didn’t feel right.
I needed to find a different way – one that I felt was right for me. And, I did! When I found yoga, I began to understand God (Universal Divine Consciousness) and the spiritual practices that support my relationship, my connection with God.
We are all products of our upbringing, our karmic DNA and life experiences. This history becomes lodged in our physical beings creating facilitated pathways that color and impact our connection with spirit. Essentially, the connection or pathway to God gets clogged and we lose that contact. The beautiful pragmatic ancient wisdom of yoga offers a systematic process to clear away old facilitated pathways so we can “see” clearly, understand completely and begin living in the joyful abundance of divine grace. We live from a perspective of love. It is quite simple and very profound.
So…if you are struggling, feel lost or simply disconnected, join us for a practice and see how that feels. You just might discover a new connection.
Wishing you all peace and blessings,
Susan Smith
