Contemplative Practice, Spirituality

Spirituality: Why It’s for Everyone

Spirituality is for everyone. But we often don’t realize this because we hear very little about spirituality, or we get confusing messages about it. People define spirituality in different ways, but in this post, I define our spirituality as that part of us that that helps us connect with our higher self. We may conceive… Continue reading Spirituality: Why It’s for Everyone

Contemplative Practice, Whimsical Watercolors

A Watercolor Meditation for When You Feel Afraid: Whimsical Watercolors

I have been feeling afraid. Maybe you have, too. With all that is going on with the pandemic, politics, and civil unrest, it is easy to be afraid. When I am afraid, it is easy to forget what I know about Love. Here is what I know: 1. There is a lot of darkness in… Continue reading A Watercolor Meditation for When You Feel Afraid: Whimsical Watercolors

Contemplative Practice

Play as a Contemplative Practice

I recently wrote a post called "Play as a Contemplative Practice" for my friend's blog. My friend Justin has a really cool blog that explores spirituality, especially from a Celtic Christian perspective. He so kindly asked me to write a post for his blog this summer. It was right around the time I was teaching… Continue reading Play as a Contemplative Practice

Contemplative Practice, Spirituality, Practices for Cultivating Love

Butterfly Meditating: A Contemplative Practice

Recently, I have developed a new contemplative practice I call Butterfly Meditating. I have a wildflower garden in my back yard, and when it is in full bloom, it attracts a lot of butterflies.  All of the photos in this post are taken by me at home or on a walk. I get really excited… Continue reading Butterfly Meditating: A Contemplative Practice

Self-compassion, Contemplative Practice, Whimsical Watercolors, Whimsy and Delight

Coloring: A Contemplative Practice

It may seem odd to suggest that coloring is a contemplative practice. After all, the phrase contemplative practice sounds very grown-up, serious, and even mysterious. Coloring, on the other hand, is child's play, lighthearted, and easy as a walk in the park on a sunny day. Can coloring really be contemplative? Contemplative practices are activities… Continue reading Coloring: A Contemplative Practice

Contemplative Practice, Spirituality, Whimsy and Delight

Creating Nature Mandalas: A Contemplative Practice

Lately I have been creating nature mandalas as a contemplative practice. Circles Everywhere Mandalas are a type of circle art. Humans have been fascinated with circles all throughout history. Circles are everywhere in nature, both in the nature around us (like flowers and forests) and the nature above us (like planets and galaxies). Because of… Continue reading Creating Nature Mandalas: A Contemplative Practice

Contemplative Practice, Spirituality, Practices for Cultivating Love

Labyrinth Walking: A Contemplative Practice

I have been building and walking labyrinths the last couple of weeks, and I love it. Spiral art, and I take labyrinths to be a type of spiral art, have long been a part of contemplative practice for both non-religious and religious people. I first started noticing spirals when I was researching art and culture… Continue reading Labyrinth Walking: A Contemplative Practice

Self-compassion, Contemplative Practice, Spirituality, Self-Love and Self-Directed Kindness, Practices for Cultivating Love

Contemplative Practices: A Post for Everyone

One of the most loving and powerful things we can do for ourselves is develop consistent contemplative practices. The phrase contemplative practice may sounds religious or mystical to you. And it can be both of these things, but don't worry. Even if you are not religious and do not practice any faith, contemplative practices are… Continue reading Contemplative Practices: A Post for Everyone

Working With Painful Emotions, Contemplative Practice

Receiving Wisdom and Guidance: A Contemplative Practice

Do you need more wisdom and guidance about something in your life? Do you feel confused about the right action or path to take in a certain area of your life? If so, you are not alone. All of us, at one point or another (or at many points), find ourselves in need of wisdom… Continue reading Receiving Wisdom and Guidance: A Contemplative Practice