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8 Tips To Revive Your Religious Life In The New Year

8 Tips To Revive Your Religious Life In The New Year
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Common wisdom holds that when the 'spark' going out of a couple's relationship, it is a good idea to get creative in rekindling the passion. The same can be true for people's relationship with the sacred. Sometimes we feel like we are just going through the motions and aren't really making a deep connection with the love, spirit, or clarity that sustained us in the past.

Just in time for the New Year, HuffPost Religion asked eight religious leaders and HuffPost Bloggers to offer their own particular wisdom for how to revive our religious lives in 2012. Enjoy!

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Before You Go

Reviving Religious Life
Shane Claiborne(01 of08)
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12. Do something really nice -- that no one knows about.11. Spend more money on other people than I spend on my self. Love my neighbor as I love myself. And love myself as I love my neighbor.10. Laugh often... especially at advertisements that try to convince me that I must buy more stuff in order to be happy. 9. Learn a new life skill - like carpentry, pottery, or canning vegetables. Teach someone else I life skill I know how to do. 8. Love a few people well, remembering that what is important is not how much we do but how much love we put into doing it.7. Write a letter to someone I need to say thank you to. Write another letter to someone I need to ask to forgive me. 6. Track down a critic or someone I disagree with and take them to lunch. Listen to them.5. Compliment someone I have a hard time complimenting... and mean it.4. Choose life. Do something regularly to interrupt the patterns of injustice - do something to end violence, bullying, war, capital punishment and other mean and ugly things.3. Pause before every crisis and ask "will this matter in 5 years?"2. Get outside often and marvel at things like fireflies and shooting stars. And regularly get my hands into the garden... so when I type on the computer I can see dirt under my fingernails.1. Believe in miracles. And live in a way that might necessitate one. (credit:Getty)
Rabbi David Wolpe(02 of08)
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The great challenge of successful living is not to begin but to begin again. Refresh your soul not with new activity but with new intensity. Revisit an old prayer, one that you know, and sing it with your eyes closed and your heart open. Ask a question anew that you answered long ago. Revisit your confusions and let them take you to new places. Seek out unknown corners in those you love. Hanukkah is not about the dedication of the Temple, but the rededication of the Temple. Rededicate; everything you need is there, awaiting your awakened spirit. (credit:Getty)
Fr. James Martin, S.J.(03 of08)
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The best way to jumpstart your spiritual life is with the examen. Popularized by St. Ignatius Loyola, this quick prayer helps you find God in your daily life. Normally done at the end of the day, it has five steps. First, remind yourself that you're in the presence of God. Second, remember things for which you are grateful today -- anything from a good breakfast to a phone call that lifted your spirits. Savor them and thank God. Third, see where you failed to be loving. Fourth, ask God for forgiveness. Fifth, ask for the grace to see God tomorrow. The examen helps you see where God was active in your day. And once you see where God has been it becomes easier to see where God is. (credit:Getty)
Lewis Richmond(04 of08)
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My Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki's trademark teaching was "beginner's mind." He meant a mind that was fresh and open, unencumbered by regret or worry. Suzuki felt that "beginner's mind" was the basis of a true and authentic spiritual life. Cultivating this attitude is especially important at the turn of the New Year. Through beginner's mind we can set aside all encumbrances and start over fully refreshed. Another teacher of mine used to say, "Every breath, new chances." Every breath, every day, every year. Thus we begin anew. (credit:Getty)
Bishop T.D. Jakes(05 of08)
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Refresh your faith in the New Year in three easy steps:1. Reflect. Has your heart grown hard to spiritual things? The Bible says to "break up the fallow ground "(Hosea 10:12) by seeking God in prayer and studying His promises.2. Remember. Are you persistent? The Bible says to "do the things you did at first" (Revelation 2:5). Recall, reengage the basics -- scripture readings, daily devotions, regular church attendance.3. Record. Is your purpose clear? The Bible says to "write the vision." (Habakkuk 2:2) Recording spiritual goals and desires keeps you in remembrance of God's faithfulness throughout the year. (credit:Getty)
Khalid Latif(06 of08)
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The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask God to renew the faith in your hearts." Most of us experience this stagnation quite often but opportunities for motivation are far less occurring. Fortunately, one is upon us. The new year and everything it brings in terms of resolution can serve as a catalyst for productive change and spiritual growth. This year, take time to think deeply about where you are in life and where you would like to be and incorporate a regular time for reflection into your routine. Our physical, emotional and spiritual selves all have an impact on each other, so try to understand all three because if one is lacking, all will hurt. Be kind to yourself and your spirituality. We tend to be our biggest obstacles and dwell too much on our mistakes as opposed to figuring out how to get back up despite them. Understand that this year is a new one and spirituality is meant to be a journey, not a destination. Along the way you will have ups and downs, but each can serve as an opportunity for growth if you allow it. (credit:Getty)
Radhanath Swami(07 of08)
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The heart is starving for love, God's love. 'Things' can fleetingly satisfy the mind and senses while the heart silently cries for real love. With each New Year we have the opportunity to contemplate what is truly valuable, learn lessons from the past and establish priorities to move forward. Investing in our relationship with God and our loved ones is the key to happiness. Every moment, however light or dark it may seem, is a priceless blessing with incredible opportunities, if only we see the potential. Let us rise from the slumber of spiritual complacency and give time every day to nourish the hunger of the heart with the grace of our beloved Lord. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reminds us that any sincere investment in our spiritual account is imperishable and will give us strength in times of need. I wish all of you a Happy New Year. (credit:Getty)
Grove Harris(08 of08)
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Winter's hibernation period is with us, the perfect time to dive deep and dream. Gardeners think now about the seeds they'll plant in a few short months. What dreams can you follow with a small seed? What might bring more balance and joy into daily life? Perhaps an art project calls, or a dance class. Such seeds might end up growing like weeds for you. Now is the time to ponder the seeds. Does your spirit call for more justice and integrity in the world? Maybe your 'seed' can be reaching out to potential companions. What tiny seeds do you chose now for the coming season? (credit:Getty)
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