Spiritual Recharge

Recharge, Rejuvenate, refresh, restore, revive, replenish

We want it, but what is it, and how do we get it? 

Are we batteries? Plants? Old and tired? Broken? Low on Mana or Life-force? Dry and dusty like old cardboard stored in the attic? Sometimes I feel like a peeping baby bird - mouth wide - hoping the right nourishment will arrive.

Whatever image makes sense… we need spiritual sustenance to be poured down our parched throats. But it seems to be so hard to find some, to make time to receive. 

Maybe one distraction is that we have narrow ideas about the RIGHT way to replenish.

It helps me to think about four ways of embracing spirituality. And then to ask questions about what most attracts me. And what most distracts me. Where do I need to lean in harder? Where can I loosen my grip?

Earth Air Fire Water = heart, spirit, head, and body = Relationships, Spaciousness, Knowledge, and Work.

Earth

Body-Serve-Action

Acts of charity and kindness. helping others, purpose and fulfillment, and contribution to the world we dream of. volunteering, donating, offering a kind word or gesture, acting for justice.

I am a spiritual person who is an "Activist" (I express that when I "do")

• What are some activities that fall into this type of recharge? Cooking a loved one a meal, selecting a gift, witnessing or listening to someone marginalized, Rallies or organizing

• So many options! All valid!

Air

Head-Learn-Contemplation

Intellect, reason and beliefs, purpose, meaning, direction, personal growth, study, seeker of knowledge, curiosity. 

I am a spiritual person who is a Theologian. (I express that when I "think")

• What are some activities that fall into this type of recharge? Journaling, taking a class, listening to a spiritual teacher

• So many options! All valid!

Fire

Spirit-Let Go-Meditation

Ascetic, removing busy-ness and the pressures to do, do, do from our lives. Simplifying. Creating spaciousness and empty space. Being at-one or being Present, esp to Nature - including your own body. leaning into awe and flow. Beauty, Silence, Mystery.

I am a spiritual person who is a Mystic. (I express that when I "be")

• What are some activities that fall into this type of recharge? Media-fasts, Rest, Yoga Nidra, forest bathing

• So many options! All valid!

Water

Heart-Connect-Devotion

Relationships, Communal effervescence, laughter, joy, fun, celebration, gathering. emotion, warmth and personal relationship, love, connection. I

I am a spiritual person who is a Member. (I express that when I "feel")

• What are some activities that fall into this type of recharge? Shared singing or dancing, shared rituals, shared meals, chatting with deity at your altar

• So many options! All valid!

For me?

Lately I've noticed that if my thoughts are racing and I can't get to sleep - it is time for some spiritual refreshment. This month that looks like Yoga Nidra practice. What is working about that for me is the ways it is like meditation practice. I bring my mind to the present. No catastrophizing (or planning for) the future. No rehashing and regreting the past. Just being here, now. It only takes 20 minutes. But the difference for me is profound! I didn't notice the difference for a couple weeks, but then, I was startled to realize that I was breathing deeper, my mind was calm, my muscles were loose, and I fell asleep soon after going to bed. I remember this feeling from when I was 10 years old and camping in our favorite spot in the mountains. Being fully in the present moment!

That's me this month. I don't know what will be the right thing for me next month. As it turns out, I keep changing. Living for 60 years means I have a lot of experiences, but it doesn't mean I stop growing, changing, and having new experiences!

So, What's Next?

For these four ways of recharging, what most attracts you? And what most distracts you? Where do you need to lean in harder? Where can you loosen your grip?

What external and internal factors influence the amount of time you have or take for recharging? If you had more time for recharging, what would you do? 

What is preventing you from taking that time?