Clarity as a Spiritual Practice

Clarity as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice
By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. With practice, you will begin to encounter your experiences in a spiritual context as you begin to practice and master spiritual principles. This week’s spiritual principle is Clarity.

The goal of a spiritual life is clarity. Clarity is a sense of peace, a well-being in the midst of chaos and confusion and the ability to discern the truth. Clarity is to know why you do what you do, and to understand the cause and effect of conscious choice. When we are clear about our purpose and gifts, our energy is limitless.

Being clear is to know what you want and how to ask for it; with kindness. We don’t ask for what we want because we believe that our request will not be heard. The Word reminds us: You want things, but you don’t get them and you are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God (James 4:2). Never be afraid to ask for what you want. Make a commitment to communicate clearly and directly in all relationships. Be clear in what you want and what you don’t want. Clarity in speech results in a clear direction.

In order to be clear, ask the real questions: What am I feeling and why am I feeling it? Why doesn’t this feel right? What’s troubling me? Clarity is asking the questions with expectation of insight and understanding. Examine what you feel and why, verbalize your feelings, and know that you are not your feelings. Being emotional is an opportune time to discover the truth about what you are feeling. Seek the reason for the emotional disturbance and keep the focus on you, not on others. Above all else, guard your heart; for out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Be responsible for your part and what you allow in your life and make a commitment to make another choice going forward. Life is forgiving and always provides opportunities to show us what we learned, or what needs improvement. If there is no change in behavior, there is no growth. Go deep to the peace inside you at the soul level.

Clarity Practices:

• Affirmation: I acknowledge what I want and what I feel and I express my feelings clearly and directly, with kindness.
• Cry with an agenda. Write out what you are feeling.  The goal of crying with an agenda is to gain clarity about your issue. Personify the energy of confusion, anger, depression, resentment, and defensiveness. Have a conversation and then release and let it go.
• Respond to the energy of confusion, anger, depression, resentment, by first declaring, “That’s not me.”  Then, find your center or peace, be clear, expect the best, watch and wait. And this too shall come to pass (Zechariah 6:15).

Self-Assessment:

Do you say no when you want to say yes?

Do you go when you want to stay?
Do you ask but doubt you will receive?

Clarity is an internal process. When clarity is developed, external disturbances have minimal impact on our inner world. To be clear requires trust, and the byproduct of clarity is peace of mind. The goal of a spiritual life is clarity.

How do you maintain clarity in the midst of chaos and confusion? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings