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
Breathing, Pranayama, 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: Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, Stoicism, Zen
Environmental Awareness and Responsibilities
Excess, Gluttony, Hedonism, Wallowing: Avoid, Don't Do
Exercises: Walking, Yoga, Taijiquan, Stretching, Weight 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 Chuan, Qigong, Dao 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
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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
By Pierre Hadot. Edited with an introduction by Arnold Davidson.
Translated by Michael Chase. Malden, Massachusetts, Wiley-Blackwell, 1995.
Index, extensive bibliography, 320 pages. ISBN: 978-0631180333. VSCL.
By Pierre Hadot. Edited with an introduction by Arnold Davidson. Translated by Michael Chase. Malden, Massachusetts, Wiley-Blackwell, 1995. Index, extensive bibliography, 320 pages. ISBN: 978-0631180333. VSCL.