NOURISHING YOUR SPIRIT

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Talk and DiscussionOn

Nourishing Your Spirit

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TO NOURISH YOUR SPIRIT Lighting a candle Setting up an altar Play uplifting music Burning fragrant incense Devotional singing Absorption in prayer and meditation

Uplifting affirmations

AFFIRMATIONS They are statements made by you to

yourself that are declarations of what you wish to do

Carefully compose your affirmation as they must be positive and focused on a vision of what you want and not on what you wish to get rid of

Affirmations should be very pointed and spoken with sincerityFocus can be dissipated or fragmented if

not pointedToo many prevents the necessary attention

Affirmations should be in harmony with your higher good

AFFIRMATIONS AFFECT YOUR MIND

Do not ask or request you goal but rather declare it to be already true

The concept is that your subconscious mind hears your affirmation and then it programs your behavior to reflect and give life to your affirmation

Your subconscious mind communicates via subtle actions such as body language and how you speak your words For example, if you act in a secure and steady

manner, you are more likely to make a good impression

If you say you are the right person but you body language says otherwise, then the interviewer sees you as lacking belief in yourself

Affirmations are also visualizations, contemplations, and open imaginations

AFFIRMATION AS POSITIVE THINKING

Affirmations can open you to possibility thinking

Recognize the power of your thoughts and words with the responsibility that comes with power

Affirmations often activate in your and others Love Selfless service Creative expression Truth Generosity Faith Surrender Harmony with oneness

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE WHAT YOU SEE AROUND YOU, THAT MEANS YOUR AFFIRMATIONS ARE: Asking for the wrong things or

conditions Asking for too many conflicting

things Asking in the wrong way Asking without enough sincerity

and conviction

AFFIRMATION PITFALLS Your affirmation is at the micro

level and shows no awareness of the larger context of what your are asking

You ask from a limited perspective or even ask for the wrong thing(s) For example, you may ask for a career change

without understanding that such change also mean a change in relationships or living conditions

AS LONG AS YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ONLY IN HEAVEN AND DOES NOT FILL THE EARTH – LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW ONLY WHEN YOU COME TO KNOW THAT YOU TOO CONTAIN HIS PRESENCE – ONLY THEN CAN YOU BEGIN TO PRAY.

Hasidic prayer

FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH, PRAYING Prayers are like affirmations

Both are based on accepting and using powerful thoughts and words to transform and uplift

Main difference – Affirmations take place mostly in your mind Prayers involve the presence of God that is in

your “heart” Prayer are declarations to God and yourself

that assumes your open communication to your understanding of God

Prayers should recognize that God knows best and you accept this reality

Keep your request centered in your faith and your surrender to God – be real, sincere, and emphatic

FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH:DEVOTIONAL SINGING It expresses your love and respect for

God People from many religious traditions

sing their scriptures to open their hearts and minds to God

Singing unites people with declared intention and harmony; singing sparks the soul

You may think you are singing to God but you can feel God singing to you

The group dynamics of singing helps you sense the awe of Oneness including its energy

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