What’s your spiritual practice?
A typical answer: “I meditate.” Or “I do yoga sometimes.”
Many in the spiritual community have long believed that meditation or yoga is the default spiritual practice. If that definition stands, then most of us—even if we practice both—can only be spiritual a few hours a week.
That explains why so many people say, “I don’t have time for spiritual practices.” Of course, it’s hard to commit more hours to meditation or yoga when we have only 24 hours a day and many responsibilities.
The solution isn’t more time, but a change in perspective—as with most life challenges. In reality, it’s not a lack of time but a lack of holistic understanding that prevents us from engaging in this most important practice.
Let’s redefine spiritual practice.
All of us are spiritual beings having a human experience on earth. Our entire life—from birth to death—is a spiritual journey. We walk it either consciously or unconsciously. When unconscious, we may practice anger, fear, or frustration. When fully present and connected with our conscious mind, we practice spirituality – making choices as intended.
In other words, we have opportunities to practice spirituality with every breath. It requires no extra time. The reason people consider meditation or yoga spiritual is that those are the moments our intentions are clear and our mind are focused. If we practice mindfulness—being present and aware as much as we can—we can turn every waking moment into a spiritual practice.
Take cleaning a house. It’s a perfect opportunity for mindfulness. Ask yourself: Am I fully present? Do I resist it? Do I rush to finish, or do I place my attention on the process itself? Do I pay attention with the same focus as speaking to a large audience?
Let’s not underestimate simple tasks. Hidesaburo Kagiyama, founder of Yellow Hat, a Japanese auto parts retail chain, built his company culture through the practice of cleaning – from toilet to every corner of the company. In his words, a clean space creates a clean mind and a clean spirit. Cleaning taught his team humility, appreciation, and passion. For 55 years, Kagiyama demonstrated that how we do anything is how we do everything. Through cleaning, he shaped a mindfulness culture—one of commitment, resilience, and presence—turning a small mom-and-pop shop into a national chain. Their annual revenue exceed 100 millions of dollars.
Kagiyama’s cleaning practice was one example. But the same opportunity lives everywhere. Spiritual practice opportunities exist in everything we do: cooking, painting, parenting; every interaction with family, colleagues, strangers; how we respond to weather, stock market, or political changes.
Are we mindful and present? Do we self-observe? Are we calm or emotionally reactive? Do we choose to be victims or creators in the face of challenges? Are we curious or resistant? Do we nurture a few relationships deeply, or try to connect with everyone while being present with no one?
A friend once struggled with a choice: go to an ashram for spiritual practice or take a business assignment at a corporation. In her mind, the ashram was good for her soul; the business was good for her bank account. They seemed mutually exclusive.
Here’s a different perspective. Each environment demands a different degree of mindful decision-making. There are three places for spiritual practice, with increasing difficulty:
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In an ashram or retreat
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In daily life
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In a highly toxic or political environment
It’s easiest to be mindful in a quiet, distraction-free ashram. It’s harder in everyday life, with its expectations and temptations. And it’s a true challenge to keep our sanity in a toxic environment. That requires enough inner strength to become the light without being swallowed by the darkness.
So it’s not about choosing between spiritual practice and business assignment. It’s about knowing our spiritual maturity and needs at the moment, then choosing the environment that gives the most growth without crushing us. The final state we want is a quiet mind. No matter how turbulent the outside world, fully aware and present, we remain peaceful inside. That is where ultimate confidence, resilience, and freedom live.