Good habits feel good. So if it doesn’t feel good, I don’t do it, ‘cause the whole point is to feel good. Right? Right. Here’s a list of morning rituals that I mix and match. This happens in between getting my boy off to school (I love making his lunch, cranking the tunes in the kitchen, affirming that his hair looks rad’. Totally.) And sometimes, this happens in hotel rooms and airports. But wherever I am, something sacred is going down in the morning (that doesn’t sound quite right, although… anyway…) Good morning!

FIRST, SPIRITPrayer. Contemplation. Meditation. Divination. My feet don’t hit the ground without a prayer. I repeat my Core Desired Feelings. Or I have a conversation with Life or an angel. Then I get up and go deeper. I used to meditate in bed but that just made for slumbery thoughts. Now I sit, lotus style and give ‘er.

Mantras are key for me. For easy access, head to YouTube and do the Ganesha Mantra (for removing of obstacles) with Deva Premal. Or this version of Sa Ta Na Ma with Mirabai Ceiba (it’s a foundational Kundalini chant. Sanskrit for birth, life, death, rebirth.) Or this simple mantra, Shima Shima, which is Hopi for Love.

Oracle or divination cards.

 

I have a phat collection of decks. Angels Blessings from Kimberly Marooney is high vibration stuff. Doreen Virtue is the queen of decks — I like the Archangel Oracle Cards. OSHO does a great deck app — heady and wise. I stay away from decks that are dark or overly predictive. Because, yuck and no thank you. And hey… the #Truthbomb Deck. Lots of people are telling me it’s part of their woo-woo rituals. I love that. (But I’m not putting “Oracle” on my resume.)

Light a candle — for someone else. I often light a candle with this simple request for a friend in need: “For her comfort and clarity.”

Meditation. I could write a book on my relationship to meditation but I’d have to meditate more to figure out what to say. It’s vast and complicated and simple. Mantra, prayer, visualization it all counts. And I have some very specific, very personal meditations I do. I’ll get back to you on what those are, when I’m more enlightened.

If you need a kickstart, I offer these simple reflections: The Light Scanning Contemplation.

And this: Extreme visualization for loosening your mind shackles.

Reading some spiritual text or poetry. My favourites: Mark Nepo’s, The Book of Awakening; The Subject Tonight Is Love, Hafiz; And always, Rilke. Watch inspirational stuff. When it’s cold and dark and being under the covers is divine, Gaiam TV on your iPad is a good spirit snack. Create a favourites list and tap it when you need to. I became a monthly subscriber last year and it’s been worthwhile.

THEN… PURIFYOil pulling. Yep, it’s all the rage for a reason — about 6000 years of Ayurvedic science. I use coconut oil. I like Nutiva, it’s pure stuff. I keep a small container in my bathroom drawer with a spoon. Take a teaspoon, it will melt in your mouth. You’ll get over wanting to gag and learn to love it. Really. Swish it ‘round for 10 or 15 minutes while you’re doing other things. Be sure to spit it out in a waste bin because it could clog you sink. After 3 months of oil pulling my dental hygienist was all like, “You’re teeth and gums look amazing, what have you been doing?” Coconuts.

And… Tongue scraping. Get the bacteria OFF. Be gentle.

 

Awesomely pure and healing toothpaste. A lot of mainstream toothpaste is full of nasty stuff. Sugar, even. It’s shocking. I got hooked on Living Libations’ Frankincense Toothpaste and I think it’s miraculously cleansing, nourishing stuff. It’s an acquired taste, and it’s not cheap, but neither is dental work.

Hot water with lemon. I like Lakewood Lemon Juice, it’s non GMO. Drink it every morning as soon as you wake up. Though lemons are an acidic fruit, when they are consumed, they become alkalizing. Alkalizing = good. Alkalizing = less inflammation. Inflammation = bad. It helps your liver flush out toxins. Which means improved complexion. Also fulla vitamin C.

THEN, SWEAT…OR AT LEAST GET A GLOW ON

When I move my ass in the a.m., I’m more likely to jump on my bike or get to a yoga or dance class that evening. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion.

Elliptical + Loud music. 5 songs = sweat. I’ve named my elliptical Venus. Just because I want to say, “I ride on Venus.”

Dance. My favourite Songza Playlist is: What Would Beyonce Do? Ya. Do dat.

Yoga. 10 minutes. Or 1 hour. Dining room floor. Favourite yoga mat. GaiamTV — huge selection of teachers, styles, and class lengths.

Walk and listen. I have a lake near my house and two laps ’round her is heaven. I tap the Podcasts from Sounds True and motor.

SPACEI light incense in the bathroom or kitchen every morning. Even if I’m leaving the house. The Japanese incense burns cleaner. Anything from Shoyeido is lovely. For more sensual incense, I adore the Nitiraj collection, especially the Laxmi sticks.

Altar tending. Altars are energy holders and focal points of desire and intention. So they need attention. I keep the flowers fresh, change it up, and give my sacred vignettes some regular love. Your altar could be a serious devotional space, or three cherished pebbles and a love note. Either way, activate it with your love.

Morning mindfulness = activated super powers.

Good morning!