In delving into the subject of rejuvenating our souls to prepare a presentation for our weekly meaningful conversations group, I was pleasantly reassured by the wealth of tools we have available to us, to keep our minds and spirits energized, joyful, and ready to serve and love those around us. The key is ensuring that they become regular parts of our lives, so that we are able to experience their benefits. 

But why is finding time and ways to recharge ourselves spiritually so important? Taking care to ensure that we maintain our connection to God and refuel our spiritual energy allows us to stay steady on the two-fold purpose of improving and developing ourselves, while also contributing to the betterment of the lives of our families and communities. Just as food provides us with energy to keep our physical bodies healthy and moving, so too we need to spend time keeping our minds and spirits thriving and strong.

The questions that I reflected on while putting together a selection of quotations aimed at stimulating discussion around this topic in our meaningful conversations group were as follows:

• How do we tap into the source of our spiritual energy and rejuvenation? What is that source?
• How can we ensure that we have a space on a daily basis in which our souls are able to recharge?
• Can we create environments which support our own and other’s spiritual rejuvenation?
• How does serving others relate to the recharging of our souls?
• What practices/influences/spaces come to mind when you think of recharging your soul?

The methods I focused on (because they were raised repeatedly in different faiths and by different thought leaders) were:  prayer, meditation, love, gratitude and joy, through service and generosity to others, music, and nature. Below I will share with you some of the quotes I found that give insight into why these are such valuable ways to help us rejuvenate on both an individual level and in group settings. For example, prayer can be done alone, or with family and friends, either way it will feed your soul. You can enjoy nature alone, or with others and have refreshing benefits from both. 

Prayer:

What is prayer? It is conversation with God. While man prays he sees himself in the presence of God… Prayer and supplication are so effective that they inspire one’s heart for the whole day with high ideals and supreme sanctity and calmness. One’s heart must be sensitive to the music of prayer. He must feel the effect of prayer.—’Abdu’l‑Bahá

Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill new life into every human frame, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth.—Bahá’u’lláh

Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.—Bahá’u’lláh 

Prayer is the essential spiritual conversation of the soul with its Maker, direct and without intermediation. It is the spiritual food that sustains the life of the spirit. Like the morning’s dew, it brings freshness to the heart and cleanses it, purifying it from attachments of the insistent self. It is a fire that burns away the veils and a light that leads to the ocean of reunion with the Almighty. On its wings does the soul soar in the heavens of God and draw closer to the divine reality. Upon its quality depends the development of the limitless capacities of the soul and the attraction of the bounties of God… —The Universal House of Justice

For more reflection on the power of prayer see this devotional program.

Through meditation:

The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives heavenly food… —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place. In the still mind, in the depths of meditation, the Self reveals itself.—Bhagavad Gita

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—The Bible: Romans 12:2

For more reflection on mindfulness and meditation see this devotional program.

Through love:

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.—Dalai Lama

Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful. In the world of existence there is indeed no greater power than the power of love.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

For more reflection on the power of love see this devotional program.

Through joy and gratitude (which feed into each other):

Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings.—’Abdu’l-Bahá

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.—Rumi

Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.—Amy Collette

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.—Thich Nhat Hanh

…for man can receive no greater gift than this, that he rejoice another’s heart.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

See these devotionals for more reflection on joy, gratitude, and thankfulness.

Through service and generosity:

The honour and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good… No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete delight.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá                                                                

Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given. Set your heart on doing good. Do it over and over again, and you will be filled with joy.—Buddha

For more reflection on service see this devotional program.

Through music:

Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.—Kahlil Gibran

Music is a great blessing. It has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice. Such is the value of music.—Nelson Mandela

We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high…—Bahá’u’lláh

Through nature:

A walk in nature, walks the soul back home.—Mary Davis

Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.—John Muir

… every time I turn my gaze to Thine earth, I am made to recognize the evidences of Thy power and the tokens of Thy bounty. And when I behold the sea, I find that it speaketh to me of Thy majesty, and of the potency of Thy might, and of Thy sovereignty and Thy grandeur. And at whatever time I contemplate the mountains, I am led to discover the ensigns of Thy victory and the standards of Thine omnipotence.—Bahá’u’lláh

To view the full program on “rejuvenating the soul” click here.