School of Spiritual Growth

Your higher self is a spiritual term for the wisest, most loving and most authentic part of you. Traditions describe it differently, as the soul, the Atman, an inner light or Jung's Self. Practically, it's the calm, clear part of you that knows what truly matters when your everyday mind is caught up in fear or habit.

Common daily spiritual practices include meditation, prayer, gratitude lists, journaling, mindful walking, breath pauses, reading inspiring texts, spending time in nature, acts of kindness, repeating a mantra or affirmation and an evening reflection. Any ordinary activity can also become a practice when you do it with full attention and a clear intention.

It is a season of spiritual emptiness where old beliefs, practices and sources of meaning stop working, and you feel lost before something new takes shape. The term comes from St John of the Cross, who saw it as a painful but purposeful stage that strips away attachments so a deeper, more honest spiritual life can grow.

Choose a regular time, such as just before bed, and keep a notebook nearby. Each day, write three specific things you appreciate and one line about why each mattered. Then pause for a few seconds to really feel the appreciation for one of them. Keep it brief and consistent for at least three weeks.

Yes. Most people find their intuition becomes clearer with regular practice. Quieting the mind through meditation, paying attention to body sensations, testing hunches on small decisions and tracking results in a journal all help. Like any skill, it improves with attention and feedback, and it becomes easier to trust as you see your own patterns.