Spiritual rest is key to maintaining a healthy balance in life. In today's hyperconnected and fast-paced environment, setting clear boundaries between work and downtime can seem impossible. Even when you're officially off the clock, that arriving email from your boss or thoughts about pending projects can interfere with truly unwinding. This blurred line between work and personal time is why we struggle with effective rest.
True rest is a cornerstone of both spiritual wellness and overall health. While traditional spiritual wellness practices often involve active engagement like prayer or meditation, sometimes the most spiritually enriching activity is actually taking a break.
Why Rest is Spiritually Significant
Every living being requires rest for survival, yet many of us take pride in how little sleep we get or how constantly busy we are. This cultural tendency undermines the importance of rest, leading to various health issues, both mental and physical. Lack of adequate rest can lower your immune system and increase stress and anxiety levels.
Just as your body needs sleep, your spirit requires rest to rejuvenate. Spiritual rest involves activities that help you disconnect from life's hustle and connect with your inner self and, for some, with a higher power. For instance, many religions observe a day of rest, like the Sabbath, offering a chance to pause and reflect. Some traditions incorporate annual pilgrimages or daily meditation as part of their rest rituals.
Spiritual rest aims to facilitate a deeper connection with your core spiritual beliefs and foster growth on your spiritual journey. Regular spiritual rest is like recharging a battery that powers you through life's daily demands.
Giving Yourself Permission to Rest
Spiritual rest means resting with intention, often in the presence of a higher power. This could be through a walk in nature, reading spiritual texts, or watching an uplifting film. Because your spirit is integral to all you do, what counts as spiritual rest varies from person to person. However, it always involves activities that feed your soul and re-center your mind.
For many, learning to rest isn't easy. Busy schedules and ongoing demands make it tough to truly unwind. If you find yourself struggling, it's crucial to give yourself permission to rest. As Sade Jones eloquently puts it in a Skylight app video, "It's okay to rest, to take a beat. Inhale, exhale. You are supported and loved by your higher power. Rest in that power, that love, and that peace."
When your body sends signals it's time for a break, listen. For example, if you feel more tired in winter, adjust your nighttime routine to provide extra rest. Allowing yourself this flexibility respects your body's needs.
How to Practice Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest is a personal experience, varying widely among individuals. Some examples of spiritually restful activities include:
- Yoga, Tai chi, and Qi gong
- Meditation
- Walking
- Journaling
- Playing an instrument or listening to music
- Participating in a worship service
- Praying
- Mindful eating
The key is to find what activities make you feel renewed and connected to your inner self. While watching TV all day might seem restful, your mind is still absorbing information. True spiritual rest leaves you rejuvenated and at peace.
Ask yourself a few questions to identify what forms of spiritual rest work for you:
- Does this activity make you feel refreshed and renewed?
- Do you feel more connected to yourself during or after this activity?
- Does it re-align you with your core values?
If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, you've found a suitable way to practice spiritual rest.
Spiritual Rest and the Divine Feminine
Connecting with the divine feminine is another facet of spiritual rest. The divine feminine is seen as a higher power that brings balance and encourages self-discovery. This form of spiritual connection isn't exclusive to any gender and can benefit everyone.
Engaging with the divine feminine helps you unlock the power of rest and renewal in various aspects of your life, whether spiritual, physical, mental, or emotional. It emphasizes looking within to understand life's deeper meanings and fosters creativity and self-awareness.
The Art of Doing Nothing
While various activities can serve as spiritual rest, sometimes doing absolutely nothing provides the most profound rest. Thomas McConkie from the Mindfulness+ podcast shares that doing nothing can be daunting but is an essential act of faith and rest.
He explains the concept of simply sitting with no intention to control your thoughts or actions. This practice aligns you closer to a state of natural awareness and helps your mind and spirit genuinely unwind.
In a world driven by productivity, allowing yourself to go "nowhere" can be remarkably rejuvenating. So next time, try sitting in stillness and practice the art of doing nothing. Explore additional exercises for spiritual rest and more on the Skylight app.
Taking a break and practicing spiritual rest is not just a luxury. It’s vital for your overall well-being. By embracing rest, you nourish your spirit and enhance every aspect of your life.
Other Related Articles:
How To Rest And Recover From The Holidays
Taking Breaks to Spiritually Recharge
Let's Reset! Tips For A Spiritual Cleanse
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