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Taking
It To The Streets – Spiritual Practice in Daily Life
By
Holly D. Elmore, Mh.D.
One of the divine truths interwoven in all forms of spiritual practice
is the importance of bringing the energy experienced during prayer or
meditative states into everyday activities. These centered and serene
states can be very challenging to maintain while driving in urban rush
hour traffic or while under the pressure of a work deadline. In her
recent book, Positive Energy, Dr. Judith Orloff, M.D.,
gives ten extraordinary prescriptions for creating and maintaining a
vibrant, spiritually centered life.
 The
underlying premise of Positive Energy is that like energy attracts like
energy and Dr. Orloff gives practical and easy to follow steps to transmute
negative energy patterns into positive energy patterns. First, one must
become aware of the negative thought patterns pulsating beneath the
surface of daily activities that attract and create challenges in one's
life. Throughout her book, Dr. Orloff uses wonderful examples of her
patients' and friends' life situations to show the impact of
thought patterns on daily circumstances. These examples give hints to
where unhealthy energy may be lurking in one's consciousness.
Awareness, along with a desire for change, is the catalyst to shifting
thought patterns and reactions to situations. Clues for creating a smoother,
more enjoyable life lie in the awareness of where we flow versus where
we resist. According to Dr. Orloff, “Trusting the wisdom of flow
means going with what's presented to us as gracefully as possible,
rather than flailing around in opposition.”
Throughout her book, Dr. Orloff emphasizes the importance of taking
“baby steps” in any type of life pattern change. In her Seventh
Prescription: Celebrate the Sacredness of Laughter, Pampering and the
Replenishment of Retreat, Dr. Orloff gives many examples of personal
treats that fit into a hectic schedule and a tight budget. By learning
to shift perspectives to see the humor in challenging situations, a
healthy flow of positive energy can be re-established and maintained.
Another book that expresses the importance of a spiritually based outlook
while negotiating the daily activities of urban life is City Dharma:
Keeping Your Cool in the Chaos by Arthur Jeon. With his
easy to read style and humorous perspective, Mr. Jeon leads the reader
through a series of urban circumstances and mini stories that exemplify
the importance of a centered, balanced approach to challenging situations.
With chapter titles such as Road Rage (Dealing with Mad Max Within and
Without), Turn It Down (Noise versus Sound), Moving En Masse (Public
Transportation), Scaring Ourselves to Death (Transcending Media Negativity)
and Sex and the City Dharma (Seeking Love vs. Expressing Love), Mr.
Jeon writes about the nitty gritty reality of city living. However,
his book extends beyond living in modern America to some of his experiences
while on an extended stay in South Africa. Mr. Jeon's South African
tales show that all cultures experience similar challenges, although
the physical circumstances may appear vastly different.
In his book, Mr. Jeon gives wonderful examples of how to and how not
to handle situations. As with Dr. Orloff, Mr. Jeon emphasizes the importance
of approaching life with a positive outlook. When one flows through
daily life with a sense of humor, it is a joy to witness the immediate
change in circumstances and other people's temperament. Mr.
Jeon tells of his experiment with this philosophy while waiting tables
at a restaurant and the immediate results based on his energy shift
were amazing.
From a totally different perspective, yet with the same underlying message,
The Urban Shaman by Serge Kahili King, Ph.D.,
gives wonderful applications for personal transformation based on the
Hawaiian Way of the Adventurer. Dr. King applies the shaman methods
of healing to modern life and details how they can be practiced anywhere
at any time, including at home, at work, at school, at play or while
traveling.
Dr. King is gifted at simplifying techniques from an ancient practice
so they may be applied to a more modern lifestyle. The depth of his
knowledge is evident by his explanations and the manner in which he
applies methods traditionally used in primitive or wilderness settings
to urban situations. Dr. King stresses the importance of self-awareness
and healing one's self so, in addition to living a balanced, healthy
life, the individual also heals our planet.
Meditations on the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga,
by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison similarly expounds on
the theme of living a centered, balanced life with an awareness of our
underlying energy patterns. Filled with quotes ranging from the Yoga
Sutras to the Indigo Girls to Abraham Lincoln to Deepak Chopra, Mr.
Gates' daily reflections give tremendous insight on how to apply
the serenity achieved in a yoga practice to our mundane activities.
Bringing your spiritual practice to every aspect of your life is the
key to existing peacefully in this seemingly chaotic world. With a lightened
perspective and an awareness of your energy patterns, you may bring
balance and serenity (at times bliss!) to the hectic pace of living
in the 21st Century.
Holly
D. Elmore, Mh.D, facilitates Spirit Awaken workshops throughout the
Southeast and provides classes and individual consultations in the metro
Atlanta area. Contact her at holly@spiritawaken.com
or 404-261-4690
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