Your Daily Ritual: 11 Embodiment Practices for Presence and Transformation
What do you seek as you walk though life? Where are you going? Why is it you want to go that way?
Along the way, how do you want to feel?
What do you wish to call in, so that you can feel it as you otherwise know it?
What do you wish to achieve so that you are fulfilled?
And, more than anything, how do you want to know yourself as part of a greater whole? How do you want to know yourself in connection to your fellow humanity? How do you want to know yourself in connection to all of life on this Earth?
How do you want to be in service to that which is greater than yourself? At the same time, how can you be in service to self (because, after all, aren’t you a part of the whole?).
These are the sorts of questions that can help us point to what spirituality is, and more importantly, to help us each cultivate a spirituality that aligns with who we are. Uniquely, yes, but also collectively, as we each and all come to know ourselves for the spiritual, and also embodied beings that we are:
Here to shine our own light as we heal what is ready to be healed, and as we otherwise step into the ways of being that will allow for our true freedom of expression to shine through.
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The purpose of this post is to outline, and begin to speak to, the spirituality that I practice and teach today.
As a yoga and meditation teacher, spiritual coach, and circle facilitator, I have had the honor to not only teach the practices and principles that have been taught to me, but to also explore my own understanding of spirituality, cultivating a deeply rooted system that not only benefits my own Self, but also benefits those who work with me; and, that benefits the whole of life on Planet Earth.
Working collectively, as we work within our selves, growing that felt and known sense of connection to the world that we are fully interwoven with.
It is practice that I often speak to as The Embodied Path, and other times, New Earth Embodiment.
The words don’t matter so much. What does matter is the heart, as well as the deep roots that we are each and all here to cultivate.
Cultivating deep roots, so that we may ground ourselves wholesomely into reality, as is known through self; and, as is learned through connection to that which expands beyond self.
In this way, may we heal the deep wounds that continue to perpetuate harm placed on one another and on this Earth.
In this way, may we call in the light (through joy, through fulfillment, through connection, through healing, through love) that is here to be embodied; that is here to be lived as it is known.
The purpose of today’s post is to get right to the point. I know myself as long-winded, which is why I plan on more posts that will further explain how I got here and why I teach what I do. (Until I write those posts, you can also read about it in the archives).
Still, before jumping into things, there is something you must know about me.
I never thought I would call myself a spiritual teacher.
Yoga teacher, no way! Let alone Priestess.
In truth, it was the shiny science titles that I sought out as I moved forward on the path laid down before me. That PhD in neuroscience sure sounded good. The shiny publications on PubMed in Cell, or in Neuron, sounded like the kind of light I needed in my life.
But my heart and soul had a different plan. It would just take some time to get that strong-willed head of mine on board.
I was not born onto any sort of wholesome spiritual path. In truth, as a modern, western, white millennial, I was first taught to view life through the worldview that has to do with science and technology. In the patriarchal worldview I was taught, it is our minds that serve the highest path, and all else is just a distraction that keeps our ingenuity from driving us into the world that we could be living.
But how does mind, separate from heart, and uprooted from Earth, know where it ought to be going? How does mind discern that which is worthy of learning, and of creating, if it does not exist in the wholesome connection to all that is?
It doesn’t, and this is a problem that I learned firsthand as I pursued the path of a scientist and engineer. This happened personally, as I experienced firsthand what it is like to live as a being disconnected from feeling, from heart, from soul. This also happened as I witnessed collectively a world that burns when those with power live the same way.
At some point, I left the world of science and engineering. My heart would not let myself become another techie profiting off of the problems of humanity while doing nothing to solve the root of what is wrong here. More than this, my heart would not let me devote my life to “innovating” for the sake of my own, egoic gain.
No. I needed to know true fulfillment. This could happen by helping our world to resolve ourselves of the fundamental problems at play.
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When it comes to spirituality, modern day humanity is facing two challenges that keep us removed from that grounded, wholesome, aligned, and light-filled existence that our world is ready for.
The first, being the one that most of you reading this page are probably well aware of, is the clinging to old, outdated, overly patriarchal worldviews that preach fear and separation, hierarchy, and other traits that largely aim to control instead of liberate.
As for those modern spiritual seekers who have broken free from the bonds of over-controlling, or otherwise toxic religions, we face a new problem: that of discerning our way into a spirituality that is truly grounded, wholesome, and aligned in a way that it brings the peace, the joy, the happiness, and all those good feeling experiences that we each and all deserve to have during our time here on Planet Earth:
The ability to feel good in our bodies, experiencing joy and happiness, fulfillment, all-the-while free of suffering that holds us down
The ability to express ourselves free, creating and otherwise experiencing life in a way that fills us up
Healing what is ready to be healed
Shining our light in the directions we best be going
The answer, as I see it, lives in the realm of embodiment, because this is the only space in which we can be rooted, grounded within our own discerning selves as we know ourselves ever-more-fully as interconnected with the world around us.
Knowing self, not in a self-centered, egoic way, but in a wholesome, truth-centered, loving way.
Knowing self as just one part of a much, much greater whole; including the whole of Earth and all of life that exists here, as well as all that expands beyond it.
Once again, I could go on forever about why I teach what I teach. This is why I have not just one, but two Substacks available for you to read through (as well as a Podcast and YouTube channel).
For now, let us move into the teaching of the spiritual path, itself. May it serve you in the highest and deepest of ways it can.
Foundational Spiritual Principles: The Embodied Path
The number one problem I have with most spiritual traditions (especially religions) is that they offer rules (or hard guidelines) that make promise on linear paths to guaranteed outcomes (only if followed precisely). In softer traditions, specific paths or protocols are freely offered: follow x, y, then z, and you will achieve the outcome you desire.
Now, hear me out. It is quite possible that you could embrace a Buddhist, Yogic, Christian, or other traditional path, embrace the path offered, and achieve the outcome desired (Enlightenment, Nirvana, Oneness, Heaven, etc.). I am not here to discredit, or otherwise hate on paths that may offer us the help we seek.
What I am speaking to is that the linear, step-wise spiritual path that promises the outcome you desire if only you can fit yourself to the mold… yea, well this I personally have a problem with, because I for one (and I know others too) have never been able to fit ourselves onto any linear, idealized path to a perfected outcome.
In truth, I know reality to be messy. I know that some days I need one thing, and other days I need another. Sometimes, I can stick to a clear path. Other times, I need to free flow that can only be known when I let my own intuition guide me.
What I am speaking to is not the dismantling of the masculine traditions that offer clear, often linear paths to where we best be going. What I am speaking to is the ability to bring in the feminine, allowing her to dance in union with the masculine as you, yourself, take each step along your own messy, wild, beautiful path!
Because of this, I do not write about idealized paths to promised outcomes. Instead, I offer you tools, including practices and words of wisdom, so that you may try them on for size, discern what works for you, and let all the rest fall away.
The following 11 practices are here as an offering to you to try out.
They are NOT here as guaranteed tools to achieve the outcome you want or think you need. Instead, they are here as powerful guides to direct you into what it is, in truth, you ready for.
Perhaps that is peace. Perhaps that is clarity. Perhaps that is alleviation of suffering.
Alternatively, this might be a bit of a shaking, or a stirring as you open your internal eye to that which you need to know. Just being honest here. A true spiritual path is not necessarily a direct line to eternal peace and bliss. Sometimes, an unravelling, or a descent must occur so that we can open up to how deeply misaligned us modern human beings actually are.
The following 11 practices are here to serve you, given where you are at in this moment. They are not here as some idealized path of perfection to guaranteed eternal bliss.
They are here to meet you in your truth, given your reality. As they do, they are here to heal, and to otherwise guide you in the direction that best serves your soulful path in this life.
Disclaimer 1: This is a blog post. I am not working 1:1 with you and, therefore, am not here to help you directly navigate the obstacles that will arise for you. Therefore, if you choose to read and practice, you are at your own discernment. If you do wish to have direct support and guidance by myself so that I can help you navigate the obstacles that will arise, you can book a call here.
Disclaimer 2 (Trauma disclaimer): As I learned first hand, trauma and spiritual practice is a tricky space to navigate. If you find that practices are serving as triggers and dragging you into a trauma state, then I highly recommend direct, 1:1 guidance. I offer free calls to have a conversation centered on this. You can chat with me by setting up a call here. This space is tricky, but I have been there, personally, and with the help of my own teachers, a wealth of tools, and my own fierce devotion to moving through it all, I moved past much of the horror I once knew too well.
11 Powerful Spiritual Practices to Build Your Own Sacred Daily Routine
How this works:
The following practices are here on offer for you to practice, at your own discernment. Try them.
If one creates a positive result, that’s amazing! Continue to practice it.
If one seems trivial, or boring, then go deeper with it.
If one creates a negative result, question in. Are you practicing it in a way that is unskillful? Or, maybe the whole of the practice just is not aligned for you at this time. Move past it and try something different.
The point here is not to perfect all practices. The point here is to try practices that might help you, and to cultivate your own discernment as to whether or not they do.
As you try them out, you heal, you learn, and you transform.
As you try them out, you are walking a spiritual path: one that is grounded in your own body, your own experience, and your own discernment.
I cannot think of something more powerful to give you, which is why I write this for you: so that you can, indeed, become more powerful in a way that serves:
that serves you
that serves this world
I cannot think of something more powerful to hand you. Use these well.
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One more note before jumping into the practices: The following offers you a brief glimpse into each practice. To go further into practice, make sure you are subscribed to the We Are The Forest Substack to receive the deeper dives as we move forward.
Practice 1: Give yourself a few moments each day to sit in stillness.
Seek out a quiet space, and let go of any state of “doing.” Come into physical stillness. Do your best to let the noise of the world fall away.
As you settle into physical stillness, you will notice that your internal world comes to life. In this moment, you will notice that your experience of reality is anything but “still.” Now you are ready for the real practice.
Of course, the obvious question is what one is to do while doing nothing! The answer, once again, is to simply be in a state of noticing. You might notice the pattern of your breath. You might notice the track of your thoughts. You might notice the sounds in the room, or the vibrations in your heart. The fact is, there are an endless number of things to notice, so in reality, we find that while in stillness, there are endless ways to be occupied!
Alternative practice for those who cannot find full stillness: Slow down. Walk a little slower. Move a little slower. Wash the dishes a little slower. What happens in your thoughts, feeling, emotions, sensations as you ask yourself to slow down?
Practice 2: Move your body every day.
It does not matter so much how you move, just as long as you do move, and you do so in a way that feels good to you! If your movement practice brings you joy, and/or peace, and/or reward, even better. Still, bottom line, seek movement every day.
Practice 3: Practice Focused Consciousness
Practice focusing your consciousness on a single point/task. There are endless options for this: breath, mantras, objects, a candle, etc. You can also simply focus on stillness, and the space between thoughts. The point is, pick something - one thing - and set a firm time that you will spend in focused concentration on that object. You might begin with 5 minutes, then build up over time until 30 minutes. The practice becomes maintaining your focus on the object you’ve chosen. Maintain it here. When your attention falters (which it inevitably will) bring it back to the object of meditation.
Practice 4: Practice Expanded Consciousness
Practice expanding your awareness beyond your own self and the routine people/happenings in your own life. Expand your consciousness outward, letting it fall upon the objects, the living beings, the sounds, and all else that is unfolding beyond self and your limited world. Rest your consciousness here. Allow the world around you to be brought into your field. Notice what is here. Do not pull it in, and do not let yourself get pulled out into it. Simply, expand your consciousness, let it rest in the spaces outside of self, and be present to what is unfolding, just as you did in your stillness practice.
Practice 5: Meditate with your whole body
It is important to spend time in meditation while present and centered in your head. Calling in stillness in your body as you seek quiet and clarity in your head is lovely. But don’t just spend time meditating in your head. Make sure to find time to meditate with your whole body. Just like traditional meditation is a practice that is done by bringing your full attention and awareness to mind, you can also meditate by bringing attention and awareness into your body: your heart, your lungs, your abdomen, your womb, your legs, etc. Bring conscious connection to self as you explore different parts of self. And, bring conscious connection to self in your wholeness.
You might find that this is challenging to do in stillness. Or, you might find that this practice is nourishing and grounding. Chances are, your experience will shift depending on where, precisely, you place your attention. For example, a part of your body that holds a lot of wounding may be more challenging than a different area.
Practice 6: Befriend your breath
Your breath is your greatest guide and companion inward, in connection to self. Through breath, you can guide your attention. Through breath you can, in part, come to control your nervous systems. Breath helps us focus. Breath helps us shed the chaos of our minds and bodies. There are endless practices to help you do this. Try many of them out, and select 1 or 2 or 3 to do regularly. Some will be better than others for you. Some will meet your needs, and work with your unique wiring. Others will not. Be ready to let go of any breath practices that do not truly serve you.
Practice 7: Practice Non-Attachment
Take time away from the people/things/experiences that you cling to most. Let yourself be in the discomfort that arises. Watch your thoughts as it unfolds. It might feel like you are losing the thing that matters most, but in fact, you will gain what matters most.
Please know that non-attachment is not the same as relinquishing all that matters to you. Instead, practicing non-attachment is about cultivating awareness to how clinging is unskillful. By practicing non-attachment, you learn what actually matters to you, and how you can pursue desire with skill.
To read further, consider my post:
Practice 8: Practice Connection with Spirit
I recognize that this one may be difficult to open to, especially for those accustomed to a modern spirituality which, ironically, has divorced itself from spirit. But the truth is, spirituality is, in one important sense, about connection to spirit. If this rubs you the wrong way, then perhaps you begin with the following:
Open to connection to the sky, the sun, the moon. Simply, open your consciousness to this space. Invite in connection as you hold yourself in light and love.
You may also try this with a tree, or a plant.
With time, you may find yourself opening to more spirit that is here to help you: to guide you and to heal you.
Practice 9: Eat good food. Do it, consciously
Remember, you are what you eat. Your physicality, which includes the basis for your energy, is literally what you consume.
Make eating a mindfulness practice. Slow down. Bring conscious awareness to how you prepare food, how you eat food, and how you feel afterwards.
This is not about dieting nor eating in an ideal way.
As with everything in spirituality, it begins with awareness and conscious connection. From this space, discernment is cultivated about what is helpful and what is hurtful.
Practice 10: Spend large amounts of time in nature
Get out of your head. Disconnect from all tech. Ideally, go move your body in nature. Then, find time in stillness.
While you are out there, bring your full awareness to the present moment. Call upon all of your senses. Feel the wind on your skin as you hear it rustle the trees. Take in all the sounds around you. Touch the dirt, as well as rocks and trees.
Feel the Earth beneath you. Sense that dirt, rock, root, and soil as it holds you.
Open. Invite in that which is here to help nourish you.
Give back. Let your heart flow freely with gratitude for all that nature brings.
Practice 11: Spend time in your heart
Do this while sitting in stillness. Do this while moving. Do this while out in nature.
Keep it simple. Bring your conscious attention fully to your heart space. With time, go deeper and deeper inward.
Open to the wisdom that arises simply by placing your attention here.
The art of practice
As spoken to, there are linear, prescribed paths that one may follow in life. For example, first do practice 1, then 2, then 3, etc.
I don’t like this way of practicing, because I realize that life is not linear.
This is why I offer a platter of practices. Try one out. If it brings you the experience you are seeking, then beautiful! Do it again.
If it does not give you the experience you are seeking, then don’t do it!
As you practice, you will cultivate discernment:
yes, this is for me
no, this is not for me
Discernment is one of the most important skills to develop, so know that as you practice, you are working on multiple levels:
Receiving the gift of the practice, itself
Cultivating discernment for your own path
Cultivating attention and discipline, including the ability to stick with the practices that are serving you
Cultivating the ability to let go of what is not yours (even if it does serve someone else)
etc., etc.
The main point is, that when we hold devotion to our spiritual path, the practices that we need will show up for you. And, if we actually get ourselves to practice (which is, really, the toughest part of it all), then we get to heal as we grow and learn and otherwise transform.
Sound beautiful? Try it out, and leave a comment to let us all know what practices are serving you.