Spiritual practices connect me with the great stream of creation, connection, and compassion that I call god. The first spiritual practice to which I committed was doing four Salutations to the Sun from the Hindu Yoga tradition.  When I started doing it in my early twenties I didn’t really think of them as either Hindu or a spiritual practice; rather I thought it was a stretching exercise that would be good for my back.  I was right, but it’s as good for my soul as it is for my back.

For years I did the salutations without directing my thoughts in any special way, but eventually I added an intention to each one of them.  For the first one, I reflect on some of the blessings in my life to cultivate a deep sense of gratitude.  Round two has an outward focus: I send blessings out to people I’m concerned about--a prayer for others, of a sort.  During the third salutation I ask for clarity about the meaning and purpose of my life, and then I listen carefully.  Sometimes I feel like I’m on track and other times I realize I need to make a course correction.  For my final salutation I focus on letting go...of whatever I need to leave behind:  Too often resentments.  Sometimes identities.  Other times expectations. And I remind myself that my time on earth is short and that I will die someday, but I don’t know when.

Taken together these four intentions and reflections keep me more grounded in what’s important in life and help me more of the person I want to be. All in less than two minutes a day!  What a bargain.