For many people, spiritual beliefs are best when shared with others. This is especially true when it comes to the family unit. You might feel like it is easier to bond with your partner and children when you are engaging in different spiritual practices. However, it is not always easy to follow these impulses. Some people worry about forcing specific religious beliefs on their children. This can make it difficult to navigate spiritual activities. Thankfully, there are many exciting and enriching pursuits you can enjoy with your family to aid in your group’s spiritual growth.
Have Open Discussions
First and foremost, it is vital that you have open and honest conversations about spiritual matters with your little ones. This means discussing the fact that there are a number of different religions that people practice. You might find some of the questions your children ask are difficult to answer, especially ones like “if there are different religions, how do you know which one is right?” You may not always have the answers to their questions, but making an attempt to engage with their inquiries will be a lot better than dismissing them.
Explore Nature
When you’re looking to feel connected to a higher power, heading outside can be your best choice. Going out for a long walk with your family offers the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the natural world. When you’re surrounded by plants and animals, it is easy to feel like you are a part of something much larger than yourself. Beyond this, it offers you and your partner the chance to teach your children about different woodland critters, seasonal flowers, and weather patterns. This is a great activity, no matter how old your kids might be.
Meditate as a Group
There are going to come plenty of times when members of your family get into disagreements or feel stressed about upcoming events. When tensions rise, a great way to diffuse emotions and connect through spiritual activities is by practicing meditation. Get all of the members of your family together in a room, light some candles, and play some soothing guided meditation audio. Though it might not seem like much, regularly meditating with your family can actually help you create stronger bonds with each other and learn how to better handle negative emotions and conflict.
Attend Religious Services
Community is often important to those who identify with specific religions. If you’re looking for an activity that will help to strengthen your family’s spiritual side, consider visiting local institutions to take part in weekly services. While you might already be a part of a church, synagogue, temple, or mosque, it can be a good idea to expand your horizons and travel to locations that are outside your personal belief system. This is a great way to introduce your children to different religious traditions while also learning more about these organizations yourself.
Read Together
The right book can often do wonders for a person’s views on a specific topic. To help your family feel more connected on a spiritual level, consider expanding your minds by reading different books on religion together. There are plenty of ways you can approach this activity. Some people might be curious to read about specific religious figures. This could be Buddha, Jesus, Moses, etc. Others may be interested in diving into topics such as astrology or crystals. When members of your family all read the same books, it can offer many exciting opportunities for deep and enriching conversations.
Find the Right Spiritual Activities for You
There are plenty of powerful ways to broach the topic of spirituality with members of your immediate family. By finding the right activities you can engage with as a group, you are more likely to feel like your spiritual journey is bringing you closer together.