Priorities for peace of mind

Living from the inside out also fosters conscious awareness of the eternal peace that abides within, no matter what happens around us.

by Ada Porat — 

The busier our lives become, the more important it is to have crystal-clear priorities in order to stay on track. Clear priorities require an understanding that our source of happiness and fulfillment comes not from the world around us, but from the animating spark of divinity within each of us.

Even when we know this at an intellectual level, it is easy to ignore the call of Spirit in our lives. Instead of setting the tone for the day by meditating in the morning, we may turn on the news or start checking emails right away. As we do that, our minds get caught up in the outer stuff of life — worry, drama and concerns — and we drown out the gentle voice of Spirit’s guidance.

A healthier approach is to start the day by consciously connecting to our spiritual source. Placing a priority on living from the inside out transforms the way we look at things. As renowned psychiatrist Dr. David Hawkins used to say, it allows us to live our lives like a prayer. That shift in focus can transform even the most mundane daily activity into an act of reverence and devotion. It allows us to bring the sacred into everyday life.

Living from the inside out also fosters conscious awareness of the eternal peace that abides within, no matter what happens around us. Cultivation of our inner life enables us to access guidance for every situation that arises in the day.

I am sure you have experienced that sense of peaceful connection. Perhaps the last time you felt it was after an amazing workshop or a great vacation that lifted you out of your daily routine. Do you remember how long that lasted? More importantly, do you know why it disappeared?

Imagine how different you would feel if you could retain that sense of peace and calm on a daily basis.

The most common reason for losing touch with that great inner peace is over-scheduling — allowing our lives to get too busy. No sooner do we return from a mountaintop experience than we start piling too much on our to-do lists again. We over-schedule ourselves and then plow forward haphazardly, responding to what seems urgent instead of what really matters. Distracted by the sheer volume of commitments, we lose sight of our core priorities. Before we know it, we get stuck in the rut of putting the pressures of life ahead of our inner priorities.

Getting clear on your priorities can help you retain a sense of inner peace, and it starts with connecting to your spiritual source. Your spiritual practice does not need to look like anyone else’s, but it does need to have priority in your life.

When I start my day with meditation, I am reminded that all the resources and answers I need are within. I am more likely to carry that awareness into the day’s activities and to remain calm, despite the circumstances that may show up. On the other hand, when I jump right into the fray of the day, it is easy to get distracted, fight fires or randomly react to outer stimuli.

When we focus on the uncertainties and upheaval of the world around us, life may indeed appear chaotic. It is helpful to remember that our good does not come from any outer source, but rather it comes from our inner relationship to our higher power.

Learn to make your inner life your top priority, and you will be able to face life’s outer challenges with confidence and peace.

Ada Porat is an energy kinesiologist and life coach who helps people live their best life. www.adaporat.com or 602-283-4628.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 31, Number 6, December 2012/January 2013.