DLG 4.3 SA- West Katie Haarmann

Evaluate how particular spiritual exercises can transform the busyness of everyday life and impact your spiritual life and interpret the importance of routine. DLG 4.3

Ex.1: Do One Thing At a Time  Chance to reflect  Fully present for all that you do  Less agitated  Ready to get more done  Never feel rushed/troubled  Foster concentration  Takes a lot of practice  Hard to resist temptations of everyday life  Used to doing two or more things at once  Used to just going through the motions DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges

Ex.2: Transform Daily Activities into Sacred Rituals  Awakening  Realize everything can be a blessing  Develop deeper care for what you do  Thankful for what others take their time to do  Inspiring to keep it going  Hard to understand concept completely  May find it to be a chore DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges *Doing this exercise is an easy way to turn busyness into something more meaningful and not busyness at all. It is important to reflect on the activities you do daily to be able to deepen your spirituality through and reflection.

Ex.3: Transform Interruptions into Wakeup Calls  Helps get rid of some of the busyness that is occurring because you see what is really happening and no longer want that in your life  Denial  Impatience  Brings about feelings of annoyance or anxiety  Realize the interruptions but do nothing about it DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges

Ex.4: Three Breaths  Relaxation method  Can work it out to what works best for you  Nice way to lose the sense of busyness going on around you  Can feel silly at first to just start breathing heavily DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges *The exercise is a sure way to become calm and relaxed. The reflection on the breathing is a key part in having this be a useful tool. I am able to use this when I may have a lot of homework to do and need a quick relaxation tool to keep me focused.

Ex.5: Take Regular Breath Meditations  Transforming  Good way to start the day, hour, projects, assignments  Clears the mind  Releases tension  May not want to stop in the midst of your busyness to do this exercise DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges

Ex.6: Sustained Concentration On the Breath  Best Breathing exercise for relaxing and losing busyness  Clarity and serenity  Extended amount of time and practice DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges *There are many ways to do this exercise. You can do yoga or other meditations that bring about feelings of relaxation and contemplation. It is easy to do when focused on it the exercise.

Ex.7: First Breath, Last Breath  Feel refreshed and then thankful  Releases fears and concerns  Can help prepare for death as well  Peaceful and easy  Uncomfortable to think about your last breath  Hard to think of your first breath  Have to really have an open mind with this variation of the breathing meditations DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges

Ex.8: Repeat the Name of God  Get to incorporate breathing exercises into this exercise  Relaxing  Become closer to God in a sense  Awkward to just repeat a name if you do not meditate and reflect while doing this exercise DLG 4.3 BenefitsChallenges *Although this exercise may feel forced or uncomfortable, it can be very empowering to stop and reflect on the reason you are here and the One who can get you out of the busyness or stress you have.

Importance of Routine DLG 4.3  Creates a sense of purpose and point  Helps keep your head clear of negative, overwhelming thoughts  Impacts your spiritual life because you are able to focus on it and one thing at a time  Keeps things organized and stress-free  Creates harmony in your own life

Works Cited DLG 4.3 Peterson, Eugene H., Jim Lyster, John Sharon, and Peter Santucci. Subversive Spirituality. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, Print. Walsh, Roger N. Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind. New York: J. Wiley, Print.