Toolbox for Spiritual Growth & Healing

​A few weeks ago, while shopping at JoAnn’s fabric and crafts store, a sewing box at the check out counter caught my eye. I can use that, I thought, but had no idea why. Except for the basics, I don’t sew. My mom, an excellent seamstress, taught me how, but I don’t enjoy it, so I take my mending to the cleaners instead. I had no clue why this sewing box called my name; I bought it having no idea what purpose it might serve.

Driving home, I realized the box would be a great place to keep my spiritual healing tools—the objects I use during meditations, journal writing, affirmations, and other soul-centered healing practices.

These past weeks, I’ve enjoyed having all these items in one place, and since the box is portable, it’s become a traveling altar.

Here’s what’s inside my box:

Writing Instruments: For scribbling notes on a pad, or writing and doodling in my journal. I get some of my best ideas during this time.

Kitchen Timer: For timed writing exercises or meditation, so I can relax and forget about the time. An iPhone timer works, too, but I like to disconnect from electronics while meditating and doing other spiritual/healing work.

Gratitude Beads: Modeled after Greek worry beads, I use them to count my blessings. With each bead I say what I’m grateful for. If you’d like to read more about this practice, check out last year’s post, “Practicing Gratitude: To a Grateful Heart Much Is Given,” posted May 30, 2012. 

Earplugs: Silence helps me turn inward and listen deeply.

Eye Pillow: For lying-down meditations, such as the chakra meditation I describe in, “Relief From My To-Do List,” posted April 8th of this year.
 
Stones: For the above chakra meditation, as well as for inspiration and grounding.

Oracle Cards: I use Doreen Virtue’s Ascended Masters Cards, listening to my intuition whether I’m looking at the cards to try to decide which quality I need to focus on or blindly picking one from the deck. I also enjoy learning about spiritual masters throughout the ages, from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

Hand Mirror: When it comes to reciting affirmations in front of a mirror, some folks can’t get past Stuart Smalley’s SNL spoof, in which his nerdy persona turns to the mirror and says, “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough, and dog-gone-it people like me.” But I find affirmations extremely helpful and healing. I’m always writing and rewriting them to clarify and honor what I want and who I am. Here are a few recent favorites:
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• “I am supported in making life changes so that I continue to heal myself and others.”
• “I visualize, affirm, and accept prosperity now.”
• “I am acknowledging and celebrating my accomplishments.”
• “I am taking exquisite care of my body, mind, and spirit.”

Pendulum: Helps me answer yes/no questions. When I have a yes/no question I hold the pendulum still and ask my question. Back and forth movement reminds me of a nod, which means, “yes.” Side-to-side movement resembles the shaking of the head, which means “no.” The energy of my own desire/will/thought moves the pendulum. I also receive clarification by paying attention to how I feel when the pendulum swings in one direction or another. I ask myself how I feel about any given answer, which helps me understand more clearly what I want.

Rose Quartz Wand: Everybody should have a “magic” wand. I love how mine feels in my hand. It helps me focus on what I want, and connects me to a place of inner magic.

Tibetan Bells: To begin and end my meditation.
Here’s what my toolbox looks like inside—nothing like a sewing basket, though I use its contents to stitch together pieces of myself that stray from the holy garment that is my life.

My intention in sharing the contents of my box with you is to inspire you to create a box of your own—if the idea appeals to you. Please note that the items in my box serve me. They are personal and particular to my growth and healing. Yours may be completely different. Creating your toolbox—and deciding what goes inside—is totally up to you, but I’ll tell you this: it’s clarifying, nourishing, and fun!
What would you put into your box? I’d love to hear about it.

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