Recommendations for Conscious Daily Practice

 

Some simple practices are very helpful in working on oneself.

Try to create a balanced daily structure that you can consistently maintain that includes time for contemplation and journaling. Keeping a daily journal is an invaluable tool for awareness and growth and an important part of a conscious daily rhythm. Although it requires extra effort in the beginning, as it becomes a habit the process will become a solace and support. The time with oneself will not only help unravel problems but will help clarify meaning and the positive steps necessary to take one forward in life. Buy a special notebook that you use only for your journal and that you can easily take with you. Keep it close at hand to help record those thoughts and feelings which might otherwise pass through unanalyzed and soon forgotten.

Record any significant dreams when you awake in the morning. Later you can do additional analysis or work on your dreams. You can dialog with the different parts of your dream, that actually represent different parts of your life, to get more insight into what the dream is telling you.

Start the day with a time of centering, prayer, meditation or silence where you center yourself in the peace, light and love within your inner self.

During the day, stay present in your body in the moment, staying as centered as you can. Be aware, as specifically as you can, of the thoughts, feelings or emotions which you are experiencing and name them: "Now I am experiencing anxiety...: Now desire for such and such; Now anger about..., etc." Let them be and pass through without holding on or being afraid. Remembering to breathe slowly and deeply helps.

Notice any preoccupation or persistent thoughts; any pronounced feelings or emotions either distressing or positive; any recurring fantasies.

Notice, in particular, those things which make you feel good, alive, excited, satisfied or hopeful. Notice when you are acting on what you like and want to do and when you are doing things because you "think you should" do them.

At the end of the day take more time to reflect on your experience during the day. Try to identify the desires behind your particular thoughts or emotions.

Over a period of days, notice what persistent themes, issues or dynamics have been occupying your attention. Try to clarify some of the assumptions underlying these.