The best place for me to be is close to the divine. When I feel otherworldly and “in my spiritual bag” as my best friend and I call it, I feel truly embodied. I get to experience mysticism on a daily basis, but it isn’t always an intentional, slow and smooth connection. For example, sometimes I’m rushing around or distracted by physical life things, and I’m noticing synchronicities in the background. When I’m not giving the divine my full attention, these happenings are still wonderful for me to see. They are reminders. However, they don’t strike the soul chord in the same way that intentional, slow and soulful, undistracted time does. As mentioned, I feel my best when I am intentionally close to the divine. So that realization brings me to this: Why not instill more rituals in my life for fostering this connection?
I have to ask myself before starting with creating rituals, what seems to be the barrier? Why might I not choose something that ultimately makes me feel my best? The answer is probably: Distraction. There is only so much attention we can give, to a world that requests so much of our time and focus. I feel addicted to apps like Instagram, even with full awareness that a lot of the time I spend on there isn’t in my best interest. (Anybody else’s entire feed consist of rage bait or stories that make you deeply uncomfortable…?) If it isn’t Instagram or adjacent apps, it’s other life things. Sometimes I can literally feel someone’s conversation with me or even their presence tear me away from my “spiritual bag” state. Okay, and it’s not their fault, and having conversations with people is good, not bad. However, it does feel a little painful or disappointing to be torn away from your favorite state of being.
This morning, I took an archetype quiz from a website of an energy teacher I used to take some classes from online. My primary type is the Mystic. I looked into it, and resonated so damn much with it. Mystics are introspective and spiritual, deeply connected to inner worlds and unseen forces. They are intuitive and attuned, and often process experiences on deeper levels. They seek meaning, and tend to have a holistic view, seeing connections between all things and often drawing wisdom across different traditions and belief systems. Mystics can also be withdrawn (as I was just saying, I hate the feeling of being torn away from my spiritual side, and sometimes will isolate for the purpose of reconnecting with it).
OKAY, so yeah, I’m a mystic. Hilariously, I had texted my best friend about 25 messages detailing my spiritual beliefs and findings, and landed on the question: “Can you see multiple belief systems being real?” right before discovering and resonating with the Mystic archetype, and then reading: “Mystics often draw wisdom across different traditions and belief systems.” Seeing that line right after discussing that specific concept moments before felt like a nudge or confirmation that I had stumbled across something relevant.
Back to rituals. I think writing here is a ritual. I feel so in flow when I write for S.Q.D. Whether it’s poetry or reflection, being here is a part of my ritual system already, and one that has a huge impact on my day. Other rituals include learning. Whether it’s from a spiritual teacher online, like Teri Uktena or Maryam Hasnaa, a book that I find that talks about radical acceptance, a film with depth and spiritual essence or concepts (Samsara!?), there are plenty of ways to enhance my understandings with knowledge. Spiritual concepts are my favorite things to learn about. I will literally go down rabbit holes. Next ritual, meditation. I go in and out with this one, as it’s a ritual that does require discipline. Sometimes I do guided ones, sometimes I just play healing frequencies in the background. Either way, yes. Yoga is something I have unfortunately been estranged from but do consider a highly meaningful ritual. I want to keep that one in my back pocket, as I think it will make a reappearance. I wish I could come up with a ritual through drinking a beverage. At this point, coffee does not intentionally feel connected to my spirituality. However, I wonder if maybe I could get cozier to the concept of tea time.
I think a lot of what I do behind the scenes contributes to my life in a powerful but also, behind the scenes way. My learnings and personal growth can be felt on an energy level, even though I am rarely actively talking about this part of myself. It almost feels like I have a secret life because of this. The people who I actually open up to about my spirituality and these concepts are deeply special people (who I cherish endlessly).
Cheers <3