What is the Spiritual Self and 11+ Ways to Cultivate it (Even if it Seems Impossible!)

The spiritual self is the core essence of who you are beyond your physical body, thoughts, and emotions. It's the part of you that connects to something greater, whether that's a higher power, nature, or the universe itself.

Key aspects of the spiritual self include:

• Inner wisdom: A source of deep insight and guidance
• Connection: A sense of unity with others and the world
• Transcendence: The ability to rise above daily struggles

Nurturing your spiritual self can bring peace, purpose, and meaning to your life. It's not about religion , but about discovering your inner truth and living in harmony with it. While religion can be a pathway to spirituality for some, spirituality itself is a broader concept that can exist independently of religious beliefs.

What is the “Spiritual Self?” (A Closer Examination)

The spiritual self is a concept that goes beyond our physical bodies and everyday thoughts. It's the part of us that feels connected to something bigger, something that can't be touched or seen.

Think of it as your inner compass, guiding you through life's ups and downs.

Again, it's not about religion, though many faiths have their own ideas about it. Some call it the 'higher self' or the 'soul.' Others see it as a subtle energy that flows through us.

Here's how I see it: The spiritual self is like a tiny spark of starlight inside each of us. It's been there since we were born and will stick around long after we're gone.

This spark is what makes you uniquely you, but it also links you to every other person on Earth.

Imagine if we could see this spark in everyone we meet. We'd realize that deep down, we're all the same – no matter our skin color, where we're from, or what we believe in. It's like we're all leaves on the same big tree of life.

Now, you might wonder how to connect with this inner spark. Some folks meditate or pray. Others find it in nature or through art. There's no one-size-fits-all approach.

The key is to quiet the noise of everyday life and listen to that soft, wise voice inside you. When you tap into your spiritual self, life can feel more meaningful. You might find yourself being kinder, more patient, or braver in the face of challenges.

It's like unlocking a superpower you didn't know you had! Remember, your spiritual self isn't something you need to search for – it's already there, waiting for you to notice it.

So take a deep breath, close your eyes, and see if you can feel that little spark of starlight within you. That's your spiritual self, and it's been with you all along.

Why Discovering Your Spiritual Self Matters?

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to radiate inner peace and joy, no matter what life throws at them? That's the power of connecting with your spiritual self.

Your spiritual self is like a hidden wellspring of strength and wisdom within you. It's the part that helps you:

1. Tap into creativity you didn't know you had
2. Find deep, lasting happiness that doesn't depend on external circumstances
3. Navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience
4. Connect more authentically with others and the world around you

When you're in touch with your spiritual self, you're more likely to:

• Live life on your own terms, not someone else's expectations
• Feel a sense of purpose and direction
• Experience more gratitude and contentment
• Make decisions that align with your true values

Sadly, many of us go through life without ever really connecting to this inner source of strength. We get caught up in the day-to-day hustle, forgetting that there's more to us than our jobs, our roles, or our to-do lists.

Discovering your spiritual self isn't about adopting a specific belief system. It's about peeling back the layers of who you think you are to uncover who you really are at your core.

It's about remembering that you're part of something bigger than yourself.When you tap into this part of yourself, you might find that:

• Problems that once seemed overwhelming become manageable
• You're more patient and understanding with others (and yourself!)
• You feel more connected to the world around you
• Life takes on a deeper, richer meaning

So, why is it important to discover your spiritual self? Because it's the key to unlocking your full potential as a human being. It's about living life not just at the surface level, but diving deep into the richness of what it means to be alive.

Remember, your spiritual self isn't something you need to create or find outside of yourself. It's already there, waiting for you to tune in and listen. And when you do, you might just be amazed at what you discover.

Expressing Your Spiritual Self Example

One way to cultivate greater spirituality into your life and better get in touch with your spiritual self is through the practice of journaling. Through the written word, you can write a letter to yourself as if guided by your higher consciousness.

Here is an example:

11 Other Ways to Cultivate the Spiritual Self

There are a lot of ways to cultivate your spiritual self. Here are 11 of my favorites:

1. Get outside

Fresh air, sunshine, and exercise all help the body feel good and clear the mind. Being outdoors in nature can help you get in touch with your spiritual self because it helps you see the world in a new way. When you’re outside, everything is fresh and new, and there are so many things to explore, which makes it easier to feel you’re part of something greater than yourself.

2. Be mindful

Take time each day to sit in silence and reflect on what you’re grateful for and what you’d like to achieve in life. This helps your stay focused on our goals and priorities when you're bombarded by distractions.

3. Set an intention

Before you start your day—whether it’s waking up or getting ready to go to work—think about what you want to accomplish now or at some time in the future. This helps put you in control of your destiny rather than letting fate dictate where life takes you.

4. Develop a daily practice

Whether it’s yoga, tai chi, reading the Bible, or meditation—whatever you enjoy and makes you feel centered—devote time every day to your practice. It’s important to give yourself at least a few minutes of quiet time each day, where you can reflect on your life and what’s important to you.

5. Be open to new experiences

The world is full of amazing opportunities to experience new things, and when we’re closed off from these opportunities because we’re afraid of what they might bring into our lives, we miss out on so much. We can’t always foretell the future, but the best way to learn how something will affect us is by giving it a shot.

6. Embrace change

Life is constantly changing, so if we don’t make room for growth and change in our own lives, we’ll find ourselves stuck in a rut. When we embrace change as part of life instead of fighting against it, we become stronger people who can handle adverse circumstances.

7. Practice gratitude

Diving into the world of gratitude is not only good for your mind and soul, but will help you reach your goals in life. It’s hard to feel depressed all the time—gratitude helps you gain better control over your emotions. Gratitude also helps you focus on the favorable aspects in your life, instead of worrying about what you don’t have—which can also help you get what you want!

Gratitude can also be contagious; when you’re feeling grateful for what you already have, it’s easier to find reasons to appreciate other people around you and their gifts. Gratitude doesn’t just help you feel better about yourself though—it helps you recognize the interconnectedness of all living things. 

8..Engage in self-reflection

Find a space where you feel safe and comfortable, and then just think about yourself. What do you value and what are your beliefs? What do you want to accomplish in life? How can you make sure that your day-to-day actions align with those values and goals?

9. Look for inspiration

Study the lives of people who have inspired you—people who have affected the world positively. What did they do that made such a difference? What can you learn from them? How can their example help guide your own life choices?

10. Find a special “alone time” in your day that you enjoy

Make time to be alone with yourself every day. Take a walk, read something inspirational, or meditate—whatever helps calm your mind down enough to reflect on what matters most in your life right now and what will matter most when it’s all said and done.

When you allocate time to an activity you enjoy, you're affirmating your worth and value. 

11. Aspire to become more compassionate

When we think of cultivating a spiritual self, we think of things like meditation and reflection. We think of setting time aside to focus on ourselves, and how to better our lives. And while that’s all wonderful and well, it’s important to remember that the most important spiritual self is the one outside of yourself.

The easiest way to find your spiritual self is by practicing compassion by doing kind acts for others. When you put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see the world through their eyes, you see what genuine compassion is. You feel their pain; you understand their struggles. And you can achieve this without grandiose gestures; even minor acts of kindness can make a vast difference in someone else’s day.

Final Words on the Spiritual Self

It's difficult to reach for your spiritual self in times of strife. The world is a stressful place, and it’s easy to forget about concepts like maintaining spirituality when life seems so hard. However, it’s important to remember that the human spirit gives us the ability to face outside forces with a calm clarity, and not let them bring us down.

Indeed, spirituality helps us stay grounded in our own minds and body, and it gives us the ability to make decisions that are based on our own internal compass rather than on external pressures from people or circumstances around us.

When you tap into your spiritual self and become more connected to the divinity within, you also open up a whole new world for yourself and for everyone else in your life. You feel better about yourself, which means you project an aura of confidence that others can sense and want to be around.

And the best part? You actually become more aware of how others feel around you, and you relate to others on a higher compassionate plane.

Embodying spirituality is a lifelong process, and no one ever reaches a point where they’re “done.”

We are always growing and evolving as individuals—and this means that we’re always going to be challenged by new obstacles along the way.

The best thing we can do when these challenges arise is to remember who we really are: spiritual beings having an earthly experience.

Look over the methods I outline to help you cultivate and manifest your spiritual self. Put these spiritual practices into your daily routine, as often as possible, and see how life changes for the better. 

Remember spiritual self care is an integral part of taking care of yourself in a holistic way. Spiritual self care is like physical self care and emotional self care, but it also includes caring for your spiritual health.

Life is more than what meets the eye. Beyond our physical bodies and swirling emotions, there's a deeper dimension to our existence - the spiritual self.

It's not something you can touch or see, but its impact on our lives can be profound.

Remember, you are a wellspring of inner strength, wisdom, and peace that's always there, waiting for you to tap into it. You may galvanize it from nature, the universe, or a higher power.

It's what gives life its richness and meaning beyond the day-to-day grind.Nurturing your spiritual self isn't just about feeling good - it's about becoming whole.

It's about finding your true north, developing deeper connections with others, and living with purpose. When you tend to your spirit, you're not just surviving; you're thriving. You're giving yourself the gift of a life lived fully, with all its colors, depths, and possibilities.

So take a moment, breathe deep, and listen to that quiet voice within.

Your spiritual self is calling, and embracing it could be the most transformative trip you'll ever take.

Are you ready to tap into your spiritual self, live exceptionally, and live your dream life? Participate in this widely-acclaimed, popular free training, hosted by the Secret's John Assaraf,