I attended church two to three times a week as a child, memorizing the ABCs and primary colors alongside prayers and Bible scriptures. But it wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I began constructing my own spiritual identity. Though I’ve strayed in many ways from the religious teachings of my youth, I’ve also discovered reverence for some of the principles that I learned as a child. Discipline, for example, and the outward expression of gratitude continue to prove invaluable in my life. Serving with my money and time and cultivating the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience) have also stayed with me.

Of course, one doesn’t need to have had a religious upbringing to practice these principles or belong to a religious institution. Spirituality is entirely inclusive, as it invites questioning and celebrates continued transformation.

“Spirituality is entirely inclusive, as it invites questioning and celebrates continued transformation.”

Whether you’re curious about developing a practice for the first time or you’re eager to deepen your existing one, the following are some of my favorite, simple paths to spirituality.

1. Prayer and meditation

One of the simplest ways to cultivate a spiritual practice is through prayer and meditation. I’ve found these disciplines help me return to the current moment and root myself in the present (the “what is”) rather than the past (which I can’t change) or the future (which I can’t control). Prayer may make more sense if you subscribe to a higher power(s), while meditation and mindfulness are sacred, time-tested rituals that anyone can experience. Try these meditation tips from the Dalai Lama. Alternatively, the Headspace App is an incredible and affordable resource for guided meditation (you can try it for free with a two-week trial).


2. Give back with time and money

It’s common in religious traditions to donate time and money, whether to faith-based institutions or nonprofit organizations. However, these practices aren’t reserved only for those belonging to a specific religious community. Anyone can donate to NGOs, environmental efforts, and give-back initiatives. Because I grew up tithing and giving a percentage of my income to my family church, I’ve enjoyed continuing this discipline as part of my adult spiritual practice. Through monetary donations, I can connect with nonpartisan organizations in my community and support impact-driven initiatives I believe in.

“Through monetary donations, I can connect with nonpartisan organizations in my community and support impact-driven initiatives I believe in.”

Likewise, consider implementing a volunteer schedule into your spiritual practice. Spend one afternoon a month serving with a local organization or participating in sustainability projects. Giving back with our time and money expands our worldview and invites us into collective spirituality.


3. Attend a spiritual retreat

Now and then, it is worth taking time away for a spiritual retreat — whether at an organized institution or for a solo getaway. Creating space for reflection, mentorship, and education is essential for spiritual growth and continued transformation, and by getting outside of our routine and familiar environment, we can more easily recenter ourselves. Retreats are also excellent for engaging with and learning from others on similar spiritual paths.

“Creating space for reflection, mentorship, and education is essential for spiritual growth and continued transformation.”

To start your search, check out this list of spiritual retreats (religious and non-religious) in the USA. There are numerous monasteries abroad (specifically in Europe and Asia) that are inclusive and welcoming, and many are set up for self-led retreats. Some even operate on a pay-what-you-can or work exchange system.


4. Hold space for rituals

When I think through some of my most meaningful spiritual rituals, the On Being podcast stands out. I’ve been listening to this podcast for over a year now, and it’s become a beacon in my spiritual journey. I once heard a woman say she spent every Saturday morning listening to the latest episode on her front porch. Other listeners have expressed similar sentiments, saying the show is a “consistent hour of peace” and a part of their “spiritual lexicon.”

Whether you listen to a podcast, attend a weekly spiritual service, or light a candle at the end of the day while reciting a poem or prayer, rituals are a meaningful way to practice discipline and reverence in your spiritual practice.


5. Experience “carbonated holiness”

“Laughter is carbonated holiness,” says Anne Lamott. I interpret this to mean that, through laughter and light-heartedness, we can connect to the sacred in ourselves, others, and the divine. This is a profound thought, especially as it relates to the Western culture’s overtly successful and performance-driven ethos.

“Through laughter and light-heartedness, we can connect to the sacred in ourselves, others, and the divine.”

Laughter, play, tenderness — these things can be a part of our spiritual practice, too. (How beautiful is that?) We can connect with something outside ourselves and return to the innocence of youth. For me, this looks like creating time for embodied and playful activities, creating art without judgment, and solo dance parties in the kitchen. It’s learning how to let go and laugh more often. Goofiness is some sort of magic, I’m convinced, and the most transformative spiritual discipline is the one where we learn not to take ourselves so seriously.

As a reminder, spirituality is what you make of it. My beliefs and practices have shifted over time, and I anticipate they will continue to evolve as I continue to learn, love, grieve, suffer, and experience all of the complexities this life has to offer us. My hope is that your own spiritual practices will help you do the same and serve as a reminder to look up and around in every season of life.

Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.