Thursday, July 27, 2023

Personal Transformation: Practices, Exercises, Disciplines

Personal Transformation:
Practices, Techniques, Methods, Paths, Activities, Expressions
Ways, Tactics, Strategies, Plans, Engagement, Learning,
Spiritual Exercises of Stoics, Positive Psychology Methods,
Daily Efforts, Actions, Aims


Most people experiment and then discover methods that work best for them, their circumstances, age, culture, personality, education, habits, etc.

When you find a path that works best for you - stick to that way. It is likely that an open-minded and flexible person will use a variety of spiritual practices.  Some aspects of each practice overlap with some aspects of other practices.  

Transformation is not a goal or aim of a practice; the practice itself is the embodiment of transformation.  The process is itself transformation.  Your transformed here and now by doing the practice with some confidence or belief in the efficacy of the practice. As soon as you make the effort to engage in psychologica/spiritual practices you immediately taste bites of nourishing enlightenment and transformation.  


Aging and Spirituality, Graceful Aging, Coping with Aging

Art, Beauty, Creative Projects 

Asceticism, Self-Denial, Restraint, Fasting, Self-Discipline

Avoid the Mob, the Herd, the Commonplace Social Pressures

Bhakti Yoga, Loving-Kindness, Worship of Other and the Divine

Beauty of Ordinary Objects, Wabi/Swabi, Aesthetics

Being Present Today, Using the Present Day for Change

Belief, Confidence, Adherence, Trusting

Biofeedback, Electronic Aids, Lights, Air Filters 

Body-Mind Practices, Somatic Therapy

BreathingPranayama, Breath Work, Dao Yin

Chanting, Mantras, Sound Healing, Singing

Charity, Benevolence, Sharing, Volunteering

Classes, Lectures, Training Sessions, Learning, Seminars

Control or Not Control Events in Your Life, Distinguish

Cooking, Mindful Eating, Vegetarianism, Good Nutrition

Comparative Religions and Worldviews Studies

Cosmic, Big Picture, World Events and Circumstances

Counseling, Psychotherapy, Advisors, Guides, CBT

Create a Meaningful Life and Values for Yourself

Cycles, Repeating Patterns, Seasons, Repetitions, Reflect

Do Good, Avoid Evil

Eastern Options: YogaBuddhismTaoismStoicismZen

Environmental Awareness and Responsibilities

Excess, Gluttony, Hedonism, Wallowing: Avoid, Don't Do

Exercises: Walking, Yoga, Taijiquan, StretchingWeight Lifting, etc.

Experiment, Research, Investigate, Question, Try Out

Family Life and Social Responsibilities Met, Householder Duties

Fate, Beyond Your Control, External Events

Five Senses Awareness and Explorations

Focus on Your Actions and Thoughts Today

Future Events are Somewhat Uncertain, Focus on Today

Gardening: Soil Work, Planting, Nurturing, Harvesting, Watering, Ecology

Goddess Devotion and Love, Tara, Kwan Yin, Mary, Lakshmi, Shakti

Gratitude, Thankfulness, Appreciation, Satisfaction

Guided Meditations, Hypnotherapy, Wise Stories 

Hatha Yoga, Tantra, Vajira Body, Longevity, Immortality

Healing, Caring, Helping, Informing 

Holidays, Celebrations, Customs, Observances, Eight Sabbats 

Incense, Smells, Fireplace, Flowers 

Interacting with Others, Group Activities, Church or Temple Services

Jana Yoga, Wisdom Path, Insight, Understanding

Language, Truth, and Logic, Semantics, Rhetoric

Left Hand Tantra: Libertinism, Antinomianism, Sensuality, Sexuality

Live and Let Live, Mind Your Own Business

Magic, Incantations, Prayers, Spells, Esoterica, Tantra

Massage, Acupressure, Self-Massage 

Mass Media Negative Influences on Your Life, Avoid, Reduce

Maxims, Reminders, Axioms, Great Verses, Memorize, Repeat

Meditation, Non-judgmental Awareness, Non-Dual Awareness

Mindfulness, Attention, Focus in the Present Day

Moderation in All Things, Don't Overdo or Underdo, Golden Mean

Music, Songs, Ambient Sounds, Bells/Gongs, Audio lectures

Must Do's, Should Do's ... Be Careful of these Opinions

Nature Outdoors: Ocean, Mountains, Desert, Forest, Rivers, Neighborhood, Garden, Parks

Massage, Acupressure, Healing Hands, Reiki, Acupuncture, Chiropractic

Medicines, Herbal Remedies, Alternative Therapies, TCM 

Medicine for the Body-Mind, Spirit, Soul

Movies, Documentaries, UTube Videos

Mysticism, Oneness, Epiphanies, Engaging, Revealing

One Chance, One Life, Today: Reflect

Open-mindedness, Flexibility, Keeping Options Open, Fair

Opinions and Judgements: Be Careful, Revise as Needed

Passages Repeated, Spiritual Notebooks, Inspiring Passages, Prayer Books, Hymnals

Past Events are Fixed and Unchangeable

Peaceful Calm Joyful Mind/Body Sense of Being in the World

Perceptions: Aim for Clarity, Truthfulness, Accuracy, Usefulness

Persistence, Grit, Willpower, Determination, Perseverance, Dedication

Photography, Drawing, Painting, Viewing Sacred Images

Philosophy, Thoughtfulness, Reasoning, Understanding, Science

Philosophy As a Way of Life

Pilgrimages, Visiting Sacred Places, Learning about Holy Sites

Plan Your Day in the Morning, Set Objectives, To Do Lists

Play, Games, Sports, Homo Ludens

Pleasures: Natural and Necessary, Bodily Functions, Understand

Pleasures: Natural but Unnecessary, Understand and Control

Pleasures: Unnatural and Unnecessary, Avoid, Shun

Praying, Invocations, Spells, Recitations, Mantras, Chants 

Present Focus, Here and Now, Today, Realm of Your Control

Reading, Research, Self-Study, Scriptures, Classics 

Reflections, Ruminations, Considerations, Reminders

Reflect on Impermanence and Death, Anticipate

Reminders, Maxims, Axioms, Great Verses, Memorize, Repeat

Research, Investigate, Question, Experiment

Retreats, Vision Quests, Isolation, Solitude, Solo Practice

Review Your Day at the End of Each Day

Riddles, Puzzles, Poems, Dilemmas, Koans

Right Livelihood, Decent Employment, Honorable Work

Rituals, Sacraments, Sacred Rites, Rites of Passage

Sacred Objects: Altars, Statues, Bowls, Art, Books

Sacred Places, Sacred Circles, Sacred Groves, Buildings

Service to Others, Helping, Volunteering, Charity

Shamanism, Visions, Astral Travel, Meeting Spirits, Drugs 

Simplicity, Frugality, Conservation, Respect for Things

Sitting in Quiet Awareness, Sitting in Oblivion, Zuowang

Smiling, Joyfulness, Positive Vibrations, Laughter, Jokes

Social Responsibilities, Family, Employment, Community

Spiritual Exercises of Stoics, Buddhists, Epicureans, Cynics

Stories, Inspiring Fiction, Poetry 

Strength Training, Weightlifting, Endurance Events

Spiritual Guides, Gurus, Enlightened Persons, Elders, Scriptures

Supernatural Beings: God, Allah, Shiva, Avatars/Incarnations (Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Vishnu), Nature Spirits, Angels, Saints, Demons, Bodhisattvas, Dao, Wee Folk, Immortals (Xian), etc.  Use or Don't Use!

Tai Chi ChuanQigongDao Yin, Martial Arts

Tarot, I Ching, Random Visuals/Archetypes/Reminders

Thankful for the Gifts of Others, Parents, Teachers, Community

Theology, Thinking about the Divine, Scripture Study

Time Management, Action Today, Aims and Objectives

Today is the Day for Change, Be Present, Here and Now

Traditions, Ancestors, History, Religions, Philosophies

Unquestioning Obedience or Religious Zealotry Avoided

Usefulness: What is and What is Not Good for You and Society

Walking, Hiking, Sauntering, Kinhin Walking Meditation 

Worry, Fretting, Fear: Find Methods to Reduce or Avoid

Yoga

Virtue Ethics, Morals, Proper Behaviors, Karma, Niyamas, Values

Virtue: Flourishing, Skills, Knowledge, Awareness

Visualizing, Imagining, Pretending, Fantasies, Dreams

Vows, Precepts Taking, Initiation, Confirmation

Wait, Delay, Reflect: Before You Act

Work Responsibilities, Career, Management, Effort, Right Livelihood

Worship, Submission, Dedication, Bhakti Yoga

Writing, Journaling, Blogging, Web Publishing 

Zazen, Seated Zen Meditation, Zuowang  


Springtime in Vancouver, WA
Mike Garofalo reading Moshe Feldenkrais



"I am a seeker of truth on a spiritual journey. 
I believe life has sacred meaning and purpose.
May my behavior today express my deepest beliefs. 
May I approach each and every task today with quiet impeccability. 
May I be a simple, humble, and kind presence on the earth today. 
May I see the Divine Nature in all beings today. 
May I be grateful today to those who came before me,
and may I make the roads smoother
     for those who will travel them after me. 
May I leave each place at least a little better than I found it today. 
May I truly cherish this day, knowing that it may be my last. 
May I remember, remember, remember, not to forget, forget, forget."

-   Bo Lozoff, It's a Meaningful Life: It Just Takes Practice 


How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo 



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