Spiritual Practices, Commandments, Growth, and Holiness

[Anonymous]

I intend from time to time to start a thread here on a new spiritual practice. First, a quick list. Then some thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Great idea Tom. I think all of those things can be an aid in helping us ponder the love of God, and our own “becoming more like him”. Of course when taken in the wrong context many could also be seen as distracting “cheklist” items. Ultimately it is our own perspective and focus that determines our personal position and growth.

Good exercise!

[Anonymous]

Orson wrote:

Of course when taken in the wrong context many could also be seen as distracting “cheklist” items.

Yes. My device for keeping the proper perspective is to recall that praying on a rug facing Mecca three times daily wherever you find yourself is a great spiritual practice too. It’s also one I never anticipate doing. There’s absolutely no proper reason for feeling I or my loved ones (boy, does that open the thought processes!) have to do any single practice. However, if I am against a brick wall in trying to become more spiritual (loving), it may help to reverently consider my options in spiritual practices.

[Anonymous]

Tom – I thought it might be useful to hear what the good and bad of each of these is from some of the folks here, so I’ll go first.

Fasting. It really can help clear the mind; it is also a healthy practice embraced by many faiths and non-faith humanist traditions. My favorite is taking the money from those skipped meals to donate directly to the poor through fast offerings. A simple concept that helps me be more Christ-like. The downside: it’s really hard sometimes, and I get a headache or cranky or just plain stupid. If you take meds, also hard, and kids can’t really do it.

Tithing. It helps me detach from my earnings and put more trust in God. The downside: there’s not much public information on where exactly it goes. Is it being spent exactly as the Lord would have it spent? Am I putting my trust in God or in a human organization known as the Church?

Almsgiving. I donate generously, and my company matches. I think giving is important. I also think it’s more important that we be charitable than that we solve hunger, etc. The downside: some NPOs are not as good as others or have high overhead costs that you are basically funding. Writing a check isn’t necessarily as spiritual as building Habitats for Humanity.

Day of rest. To me it’s a day for family and church and sometimes we have friends over for dinner after church. The downside: kids being invited to friends’ birthday parties. Sunday is a big day for these here. I would probably allow, but they often conflict with our church schedule.

Journaling. I love this practice, although it’s not always spiritual for me. There’s also just something about capturing your life and reflecting on it that is important as a human being. The downside: people who whitewash or only want to share what is “uplifting” shortchange both themselves and their posterity, IMO.

Misc prayer practices. I’m a casual prayer by nature, like a conversation in my head about what’s going on and trying to get in line with God. I find it hard to feel sincere in formal prayer.

Taboo breaking. As a spiritual practice? I tend to be more of a universalist, embracing all faiths and taboos rather than trying to break taboos, but I set my own taboos for my life. I respect and observe the spiritual practices of others when I am in their territory, regardless of whether I believe those same things. When in Rome . . .

Recitation. I don’t find this very uplifting in any faith service or even in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I’m just not a recitation person. Chanting is different. I find chanting to have centering/grounding usefulness. I intensely hated a singing meditation I did once (basically just repetition), but I really enjoy Chakrah chants.

Singing/music. I think this really resonates for me spiritually, although through participation rather than just listening to it unless it is really really good. The downside: Mormon worship lacks a lot of variety in music and in some wards quality.

[Anonymous]

I like your idea Tom, and look forward to these threads. Really cool!

[Anonymous]

I think spiritual practices are like great books. There are more “must reads” than you can possibly read in a lifetime, and they are all really great. You get to choose for yourself which you will read at any moment and whether and how much you will read on any day. You never feel guilty (hopefully!) because you can’t read them all, though you perhaps wish you could. Only you and Heaven know which one you need today to prepare yourself more fully to glorify the Father and bless the world. And if you choose well, they will change you! Aren’t great books wonderful?

[Anonymous]

When I was a lot more TBM, I decided that it was important to keep the sabbath in a traditional Mormon way (no fun, etc.)

So I stopped watching sports on Sundays. This was possible because college sports don’t usually happen on Sundays and because I really thought it would help. And it did. It really helped me to get where I wanted to go at that time.

But what this post reminded me of most was this time I went to church on Sunday and it was really crappy. So I went home and turned on the game that was on, which I didn’t care much about. My roommate got home and said “hey man, I thought you weren’t watching sports anymore. What are you doing here?” I was really mad at him and turned the TV off in rage. After a few minutes, I realized how good it was to have friends to care about the commitments I’d made and who were willing to call me on it.

I watch sports on Sundays all the time now and rarely go to church, but I still appreciate that experience.

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