Many of us have experienced religious practices assigned to us by our church, synagogue, mosque, temple, etc. Some of these practices have been established by the founders of our religion or by the director of our particular religious group who were heavily influenced by their own personalities and culture. This may help to explain why some practices provide deep meaning for some persons and not for others. Furthermore, it may explain why some people change or augment the practices of their religion. And finally, we often find people who depart from institutional religion and create their own spiritual practices without the need for a formal religious organization.
In conclusion, meaningful practices differ according to personality, culture, and a variety of psychological issues. One set of practices does not fit everyone. So how do we find the spiritual practices that are uniquely right for us? I recommend that individuals understand and accept their uniqueness and then explore a variety of practices. There are several excellent books that offer a variety of suggestions for practices. My recommendations:
Alexander, Scott. Everyday Spiritual Practice: Simple Pathways for Enriching Your Life. Boston: Skinner House Books, 1990.
Brussat, Frederic and Mary Ann. Spiritual Rx: Prescriptions for Living a Meaningful Life. New York: Hyperion, 2000.
Richardson, P. Four Spiritualities: Expressions of Self, Expressions of Spirit. Palo Alto: Davies-Black Publishing, 1996.
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