5 Must-Haves for Your Spiritual Path
By: Carla Lara
Let me begin by saying you’ve already got everything you need for your spiritual path at any given time. These are just a few things that I recommend because they’ve been supportive to my inner work and spiritual growth. Remember, it doesn’t have to be difficult! Or expensive, or time consuming.
1.) A Journal/Notebook
This might be a little obvious if you’re already one who likes to journal. I prefer to use one notebook as a journal for my thoughts/stream of consciousness and a second for lists, outlines, and to generally organize my thoughts. Of course you can use a single notebook for everything or even an app in your phone. I personally find hand writing to be cathartic. Either way, journaling can help you to explore your inner world in ways that simply thinking or talking can’t.
2.) A Library Card
Reading a variety of books is a great addition to your spiritual practice. You don’t need to accumulate tons of books, however. Audio books, magazines, and movies are just as good. A library card from your local library is a cost effective way to access a lot of different materials if reading isn’t your thing. In the past, I’ve also used kindle unlimited and audible (they are not free, however). Owning a physical copy of a book allows you to reread, highlight and annotate as you please. You can do that in the kindle app as well. Otherwise, you can always write notes in your notebook/journal.
3.) A Practice of Presence
There are so many options to practice presence including different types of meditation and yoga. It can be tempting to choose a practice for the wrong reasons. The goal should be to practice living in the present moment. In the past, I would get so irritated when I tried to meditate because I thought the purpose was ‘clearing my mind’ when in fact it is to practice watching the thoughts arise and pass by. Yoga encourages presence by focusing on the breath and body. There is also ‘walking meditation’ where you can be ‘meditating’ no matter what you’re doing (such as walking) and it’s simply being aware of the present moment and task at hand. I encourage you to do research and go with whatever practice resonates with you the most. It’s important to stick with it long enough to know whether or not it’s working for you before jumping around to different practices.
4.) A Guru
Guru is synonymous with teacher. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean a live person. It can also be your higher power, an ascended master, or your higher self, although it certainly could be a person that’s alive, such as a sponsor or mentor. You may feel a natural attraction to a certain ascended master. Personally, I am devoted to Jesus because his teachings have always resonated with me. I write to him, talk to him, and study his teachings from the Bible and gnostic texts. Overall, working with a guru offers guidance and alignment on the spiritual path.
5.) A Sense of Wonder
As you awaken, you may notice and appreciate things you once took for granted. Colors appear more vibrant, food tastes better, the suffering of others affects us more deeply, and life overall seems miraculous and amazing. An essential part of the path is growth and evolution, and that’s not possible without leaving your comfort zone. Leaving your comfort zone includes being open to the idea of trying something new. Being open minded also allows you to look at things from a different perspective. This, in turn, helps you to expand your awareness. It can be painful at times but necessary for growth.
All in all, the work to be done on the spiritual path is within. As I’ve said, you’ve got all that you need already. The goal of this work is aligning to your true, authentic self. If you have any more must-haves, let me know in the comments!