Enhance Your Lifestyle With Spirituality

Enhance Your Lifestyle With Spirituality

There is no doubt that adopting a lifestyle that incorporates a spiritual practice can provide a person with the means to confront the difficulties of life with equanimity.

It is interesting to note that while interest in traditional churches has waned over the past few decades, there has been a coincidental rise in people flocking to learn the benefits of eastern religions or spiritual practices.

Is it that eastern spirituality offers more active participation and a hands on approach? Meditation promises a way to achieve peace and satisfaction, while the many physical exercises, seen for example in yoga, tai chi and Falun Dafa, can achieve the goal of alleviating stress and improving physical wellbeing. For the serious practitioner, the benefits can be seen fairly quickly.

We have moved into the age of technology rapidly and this has changed the face of society. With increased value placed on acquiring “things”, moral values and ethics have declined. Many people now feel they are losing grip of their own future. So, why have spiritual practices which promote meditation and/or exercises become so popular?

They provide us with structure and security – a shelter where one can search for the truth - a haven for people living in a time of crisis and trying to find some meaning to life.

Spirituality offers a path with a purpose. We need to know where we are going and what our goal is. Again, it offers an existence that is more meaningful.

A few minutes of quiet contemplation may be all that is needed. Here are some popular spiritual practices you may want to try:

1. Tai Chi - Originally an ancient Chinese martial art, tai chi is often referred to as "meditation in motion". It is a series of slow, graceful, focused movements that can relieve stress and anxiety while improving flexibility and balance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBR5MZmEsY

2. Meditation - Essentially, a state of deep peace that is achieved by focusing the mind on the breath, thought, or an object among other techniques. Meditation can improve concentration, slow aging and increase happiness. https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/what-meditation

3. Falun Dafa - A series of 5 gentle exercises, including a meditation, accompanied by a moral philosopy based on truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. Believes that true health comes from cultivating both mind and body. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ-A6xY47jc

4. Yoga - An ancient Indian tradition of asanas (postures), meditation and breathing exercises which harmonise the body, mind and environment. It builds muscle strength, improves posture, flexibility and general wellbeing among many other benefits. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit

5. Buddhism - Enhances the immune system and promotes good health. Besides meditation, Buddhism encourages the practice of generosity, peace and mindfulness. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-liusuwan/generosity-in-buddhism_b_14487312.html

Koh X